Social Security

Social Security & Your Full Retirement Age: Are you leaving retirement money on the table?

The Social Security term “full retirement age” or FRA is unfamiliar to many people, but it shouldn’t be. Your birth year is one of two factors in determining your Social Security retirement income. Your full retirement age (FRA) is the point at which you can begin taking Social Security retirement benefits at the full amount based on your individual work history. The second factor is how much you paid into the Social Security insurance program which is shown as a FICA deduction. If you have not pulled your statement recently you can go to www.ssa.gov to review your personal history.

Although you can elect to take benefits as early as age 62, that’s rarely a good idea. Taking benefits before your FRA will cost you big-time – as much as 30% of your monthly benefits! So, what is your full retirement age? That depends on when you were born. Congress has gradually raised the FRA, meaning that it is different for different birth cohorts. There are some nice increases in your Social Security retirement checks by delaying your start date with age 70 being when your benefits max out.

For those born in 1954 or earlier, the FRA is 66 years. You can start collecting full benefits as soon as your 66th birthday. Those born later will have to wait a bit longer before taking retirement benefits to receive the full amount:

Birth Year                                                                                     Full Retirement Age
1943-1954                                                                                   66
1955                                                                                            66 years and 2 months
1956                                                                                            66 years and 4 months
1957                                                                                            66 years and 6 months
1958                                                                                            66 years and 8 months
1959                                                                                            66 years and 10 months
1960 or later                                                                                67 years

Almost 50% of American’s elect to take Social Security at age 62! Don’t risk losing almost a third of valuable retirement income but not understanding the true cost of taking this early.

Sign up today to have one of our Social Security retirement advisors www.socialsecuritybp.com help you understand when is the best time to start taking benefits.

Not associated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other government agency.

Social Security Expert Faye Sykes on the Air with Radio Host Eric Holtzclaw

Planning today for tomorrow. Social Security expert Faye Sykes, NSSA, CLTC, National Social Security Advisor and CEO of Social Security Benefit Planners joined radio show host Eric V. Holtzclaw on Build Your Best Business to highlight steps all entrepreneurs can take to protect their retirement income.

Faye shares what inspired her to enter into this niche market and add on to her current services to help both new and existing clients and expand her business. LISTEN NOW!

 

 

Common Retirement Fears

Do you have fear around retirement? A startling number of Americans do, so don’t feel silly if thinking about the whole idea of retirement just makes you want to shut down.

The very common response of fear and anxiety when thinking about retirement stems from several sources. Getting older itself is anxiety-provoking for most of us. We want to stay young and healthy forever, and it can be unsettling to admit that this isn’t how our lives are going to work.

But beyond the basic discomfort with aging, there’s often a more specific fear around the idea of retirement. That fear frequently leads even highly intelligent people to push away the thoughts and ignore the issue. It’s a natural response, but an unfortunate one because avoiding the issue is precisely the action that is most likely to lead to a negative experience at retirement.

If you do make yourself examine your fears around retirement, you’ll probably find that they center on four questions that many people share:

Will Social Security even be there when I retire? This is a reasonable fear, given that so many politicians try to inspire panic about the program’s future. But Social Security has been around a long time and it probably isn’t going anywhere. True, the funding formula and/or benefits will need to be adjusted at some point, but the situation is nowhere near as dire as some make it sound. You’ve been paying into Social Security for many years and it will almost certainly pay you back in your retirement years. Don’t depend on the program as your only income in retirement, but don’t worry too much about it either. Social Security is going to be there.

What if I didn’t save enough? This question is another valid concern. Most people don’t save enough to provide the same income they had when they were working. Since we’re living longer now, it’s more important than ever to build your retirement savings. You know this, so don’t waste time in fear of the future; save for it instead. Talking with a retirement planner can help you understand just how much you’ll need to save each month so that you will have enough funds to live comfortably for many years after retirement. This is one area where ignoring the problem will only make it worse, so face your fear and talk with your financial advisor. Taking action feels good, and you’ll thank yourself later.

Will I be bored and lonely not working? As our parents age, we sometimes seem them struggle with these issues. It’s natural to wonder if you’ll face the same problems. Retirement can be a lonely time or a wonderful period to pursue old and new interests, relish relationships with all kinds of people and thoroughly enjoy yourself. To ensure your experience is positive, it’s important to prepare yourself for the changes. Remember, you don’t have to retire all at once. You can work less over gradually in many cases, while also strengthening your social networks and engaging in interests that you didn’t have time for when you were working full time. Make friends and hobbies a priority now, and you’ll be thrilled to have more hours to enjoy them when you retire.

What about health care costs? The rising costs of health care inspire fear in most people, whether they’re working or retired. Save for retirement expenses, including health care, but don’t let the fear paralyze you. Medicare is one of the most generous health insurance programs available, and you’ll qualify for it by the time you retire, most likely. Also keep in mind that the healthcare landscape is changing, and costs may not be as high as you fear when you actually retire.

Retirement fears are real and reasonable. Taking an active stance as you prepare for your retirement and examine the reasons for your anxiety will go far toward alleviating those fears. It will also reduce the risk of those fears coming true, so don’t play ostrich any more. Look forward to retirement with your eyes wide open, and take advantage of your current opportunities to ensure a positive experience later.

Not associated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other government agency.

Social Security Myth #7: Is Retirement Income Taxable?

MYTH: Your benefits are not taxable in retirement.

Surprise! If you continue to have earned income in retirement while receiving Social Security, then part of your Social Security income can be included in your taxable income. That’s not to say that everyone pays taxes on Social Security
benefits or that the full amount is taxable, but it’s important to know that some of your benefits may be taxed. About half of all beneficiaries paid federal tax on Social Security in 2015.

To figure out whether your benefits are taxable or not, you’ll need to understand the IRS’ definition of “combined income.” This means your adjusted gross income plus any nontaxable income you receive, added to one half of your Social Security benefits. The total of these three numbers will determine whether your benefits are taxed, and how much.

If you are single and have a combined income of  $25k to $34k you’ll owe taxes on up to 50% of your Social Security benefit. Couples that earn between $32K and $44K a year and file jointly will owe the same rate if their combined income is between $32k and $44k.

For single filers with combined incomes over $34k and married filers whose combined income exceeds $44k, the portion of benefits that may be taxable is 85%. That’s assuming the married couple files taxes jointly. Filing a separate return makes it far more likely that your benefits will be taxable.

You may also pay state taxes on part of your benefits if you live in Minnesota, North Dakota, Vermont and West Virginia; these states mirror the federal tax schedule. The following nine states may also tax a portion of Social Security but provide exemptions based on income and age: Montana, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Connecticut and Rhode Island. The remaining 37 states not listed above do not tax Social Security.

Not associated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other government agency.

Social Security Expert Faye Sykes on the Air with Ryan Poterack

Planning today for tomorrow. Social Security expert Faye Sykes, NSSA, CLTC, National Social Security Advisor and CEO of Social Security Benefit Planners joined radio show host Ryan Poterack with expert advice on Social Security planning. LISTEN NOW!

Not associated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other government agency.

Social Security Myth #6: No more Social Security?

MYTH: Social Security will go broke in the next 20 years.

That’s a scary statement, and it gets tossed around frequently. Should you worry about it? Not really. Social Security is essentially a pay-as-you-go system. The workers today are paying through their FICA taxes for the benefits current retirees are receiving.

In 2017, if you are W-2 employee you pay 7.65% of your income into the program and your employer pays an equivalent amount. Self-employed workers are required to pay the full amount of 15.3% (but they may be able to deduct some of the expense when they file their annual tax returns).

Any surplus money currently goes into a trust fund and is invested into treasury bonds. By 2034 the trust is projected to run out of money, and this is the source of the scary “going broke” concept. Even if the projection is accurate, however this doesn’t mean that benefits will stop all together. The payroll taxes alone from those working in 2034 should still cover about 79% of promised benefits.

But it’s true that in this scenario there would not be enough money for the program to continue exactly as it is. Congress will need to act by raising taxes, cutting Social Security benefits or both. We should expect a solution to be hammered out long before 2034. Though either of these options would be hard choices that will no doubt inspire real debate, the risk to millions of Social Security beneficiaries that vote will hopefully get politicians of all persuasions to act in plenty of time to prevent the program from facing a true crisis.

Not associated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other government agency.

Are You Part of the Sandwich Generation?

Many Americans today are part of what is known as the sandwich generation. No, that doesn’t mean covered in peanut butter or surrounded by lettuce and tomatoes. It refers to being economically sandwiched by two other generations, one older and one younger, that rely on you for financial support.

Providing emotional support for parents and children is part and parcel of being human. It’s both demanding and rewarding, but also creates some fear for the future. Providing financial support for these loved ones while taking care of yourself and your own future, however, can be tough. For many, it seems like an inescapable burden, and fulfilling it can leave you unable to provide sufficient resources to meet your own needs.

If you’re still funding your adult kids’ lifestyles and struggling to take good care of your parents’ financial needs at the same time, you might want to consider whether it’s the best strategy. Despite the desire to provide everything you can for your family, this financial sandwich can leave you in a bad situation a few years down the road.

  • Your kids have their whole life to pay back college and other debts. It feels good to provide your children with a debt-free college education and help with a car, house or other steps toward the good life. But can you afford it? Ignoring your financial future so you can give them the best start isn’t in anyone’s best interest. If you can’t support yourself in retirement, they’ll feel duty-bound to help. It’s often better to let them take out loans to accomplish their goals, while you save for your retirement years. That leaves you better prepared to take care of your own future needs while helping them realize the true costs of their choices and value them appropriately.
  • Learn from your parents and save more toward retirement. The financial sandwich you’re in now should illustrate the importance of saving for retirement. It’s more expensive than most people expect, between rising healthcare costs, inflation and longer lifespans. You’re seeing that first-hand with your parents; learn the lessons that their predicament illustrates and get serious about saving now, so you won’t be in the same one later.
  • You cannot take out loans for retirement. While it’s relatively easy to get a loan for a college education, house or car, just try asking for one to pay for retirement expenses. Lenders will laugh at you! Once you’re past working age, it’s virtually impossible to get a loan unless you can prove you have the resources to pay it back. That’s not a situation that inspires confidence for older Americans who need extra income just to get by, so let the kids get a loan now. It’s far easier to obtain and pay back than the one you’ll need if you don’t save enough for your retirement.

What’s the takeaway? Giving your retirement savings short shrift so you can keep paying for the generational sandwich isn’t wise. If you don’t have enough saved, it’s helpful to do what you can to maximize your Social Security income. But in the big picture, it’s probably more important to save for your own retirement than to fully fund your children’s college and post-college years.

Not associated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other government agency.

Social Security Myth #5: The precise amount of SS benefits

MYTH: The maximum Social Security benefit in 2017 is $2,687.

There’s a lot of misinformation floating around about the precise amount of Social Security benefits. That’s partly because the amount changes every year, and partly because the amount received differs based on individual work history and the age at which you claim benefits. If you work until reaching your full retirement age and paid a sufficient amount into the program to qualify for the maximum benefit, the current amount of your monthly benefit will be $2,687.

If you delay benefits beyond your retirement age, you will increase your benefit amount by 8% for each year you delay, up to age 70. There are no further increases after reaching age 70 so it doesn’t make sense to delay further. However, there is an annual cost of living increase each year. Since these yearly increases were implemented, they have averaged 2.5%.

Collecting benefits early decreases the amount of your monthly benefit – up to 30%! Not only that, but with a smaller amount in benefits, the annual increases you get will be smaller as well (because they’re a percentage of a smaller number). That’s one good reason to delay benefits at least until your full retirement age if you can. A bigger benefit means a bigger cost of living increase each year, and over time, that can mean a big difference in the amount of money you have to spend each month.

Not associated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other government agency.

Social Security Myth #4: Only Minor Children Get Benefits When You Die.

MYTH: Social Security only helps minor children at your death.

You probably know that Social Security can provide benefits to children, but if you’re like most people, you believe that this can only happen if you die. That’s not the way it works, though.

Social Security was set up in 1935 to protect Americans, including their
children, through a paid insurance program known as FICA. That’s what the FICA taxes that come out of your paycheck each month are paying for. This program provides financial assistance in cases of disability, at retirement and at death.

If a parent – or in some cases, a guardian grandparent – is caring for a minor child or children and is receiving retirement or disability benefits through Social Security, the children may be eligible to also receive benefits. They may qualify for benefits if their parent or guardian dies as well.

In all three situations, the biological, adopted or dependent step-children may be able to receive benefits until they turn 18 – or longer, if they haven’t finished high school. Children with disabilities can continue receiving benefits for even longer.

The amount of benefits a child can receive varies but can be up to 75% the amount the deceased parent would collect from Social Security. A family limit applies when there are multiple children surviving the parent. This “family cap” is usually between 150% and 180% of the parent’s full benefit. No matter how many children are eligible to receive benefits, the total amount cannot exceed the family limit.

In cases where one parent passes away, a non-working parent or one who earns less that $16,920 per year may also receive additional Social Security family benefits until the child reaches age 16. Again, if the child is disabled, these benefits can continue beyond that age for the adult who exercises parental control and responsibility for the disabled child.

Not associated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other government agency.

Social Security Myth #3: Divorce Always Costs You!

MYTH: If you’re divorced, your only option is to file for Social Security based on your own work record.

Luckily for many divorcees, this isn’t the case at all. If you were married for over ten years, you can still file for benefits as if you were married.  This means that as in Myth #2, you can receive up to half the amount of your ex-spouse’s retirement benefit.

If you do not remarry and your ex precedes you in death, the Social Security Administration considers you to be widowed. As a widow or widower, you are eligible to receive the full benefit that your ex-spouse earned – just as if you had still been married at the time of his or her death.

Some divorcees worry that collecting the benefits to which they are entitled will cause resentment, either in the ex-spouse or his or her subsequent spouse (or spouses). The common assumption is that if one ex-spouse is receiving benefits, that will negatively impact the amount other current or previous spouses can receive, or even prevent them from receiving benefits at all.

There’s nothing to worry about, because everyone who can collect Social Security benefits based on a previous or current marriage to someone who is vested into the system does so independently. Even if your ex-spouse married several other people after you divorced, it doesn’t matter. If each marriage lasted over ten years, all the previous spouses – and the current one as well – will be able to collect the full amount of spousal or widower’s benefits.

If the marriage didn’t last for ten years, however, there is no benefit for an ex-spouse. Here is to your fantastic retirement!

Not associated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other government agency.

Social Security Myth #2: You Didn’t Pay In, You Can’t Collect

social security myth

MYTH: If you are married and were a non-working spouse or did not have enough work credits to qualify on your own, you are not eligible for Social Security.

It seems obvious enough. If you didn’t pay into the system, you can’t collect from it. Fortunately for many homemakers, that’s not how it works in all cases. Social Security has protections in place for spouses that raised children or otherwise didn’t pursue a career while their husbands (or wives) earned the household income.

While both spouses are living, the non-working spouse can collect up to half the amount of the working spouse’s full retirement age benefit. If widowed, the non-working spouse will receive the full Social Security benefit that the deceased spouse was receiving.

If both spouses qualify for benefits based on their individual work histories, the one with the lower benefit will receive additional Social Security income for a total benefit amount equal to one half the amount received by the higher-earning spouse.

To be eligible for Social Security, an individual must have paid into the system for at least 40 quarters, paying Social Security taxes through payroll withholdings or directly to the IRS. That means at least ten years of paid work.

Social Security reviews the last 35 years of work history to determine your benefit amount, and zero income years will take your benefits down. If you own a business and your spouse assists you in running it, make sure to pay for the work – at least $5,200 a year. This will allow your spouse to earn Social Security credits and become fully vested in the system, which means more income in retirement for both of you.

Not associated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other government agency.

Social Security Myth #1: You Can’t Change Your Mind

social security myths

MYTH: Once you start receiving Social Security income you cannot change your mind.

Many people believe this to be true but the reality is quite different. There is a 12-month window, once you start collecting Social Security benefits, in which you can indeed change your mind.

During this grace period, you can decide to delay benefits in order to increase the amount you will eventually receive each month. You’ll have to pay back the full amount that you received in Social Security income before you can start the clock again, but in most cases it’s worth it.

Almost 50% of Americans choose to start collecting retirement benefits from Social Security at the age of 62. That locks in a permanent reduction of 25-30% over the amount they could receive if they delayed benefits until their full retirement age.

Your full retirement age varies based on the year you were born. Each year you delay benefits past retirement age will yield 8% in annual increases – up to age 70, that is. At 70 everyone has to start collecting benefits, with no increase for continued waiting.

Since the annual Social Security cost of living increase is a percentage of your previous benefit amount, delaying the time you start benefits will mean even more in retirement income once you decide to claim Social Security.

If you thought you needed to take your Social Security benefits early but things change, or you realize that you can afford to wait after all, it’s a good idea to stop the clock, repay what you’ve received and wait until your full retirement age – or age 70, if possible. After all, you’ve paid into Social Security to earn these benefits. You might as well collect as much as possible from the program.

Not associated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other government agency.