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4 Questions that Simplify Social Security Benefits
Many have questions about retirement and more specifically about social security. But they may not be sure what to ask except for “when can I retire?” and “when should I collect?” It’s never too early to talk about your retirement and a have a quick conversation about key areas of concern.
Here are some key questions to review
What exactly is the Full Retirement Age?
While some clients may feel they are ready to retire at age 40, the full retirement age is actually between the ages of 66 and 67, depending on when the person was born. It’s essential both you and your client know their full retirement age as this directly affects when they should start collecting benefits and the amount they will receive.
When are my clients eligible to start collecting benefits?
Your clients can start taking benefits as early as age 62 or as late as age 70 but remember, benefits are reduced or maximized depending on age. Here are a few age-dependent scenarios for clients to keep in mind:
Scenario 1: Take benefits as early as possible at age 62
Start receiving benefits as early as possible, incurring early start penalties. Your clients will receive more payments in the early years, but they will pay a penalty.
Scenario 2: Wait until Full Retirement Age
No penalty nor delay credit. Consider this a neutral option.
Scenario 3: Wait until age 70
Delaying as long as possible to receive benefits will maximize the delayed credit. If your clients can wait until age 70, they will reap the rewards.
This chart outlines what may happen to your client's benefits in all three of these scenarios outlined above. It’s an easy visual way to show how taking benefits later can account for more savings and ultimately more payments in the long run. But your client would have to be comfortable taking payments later.
What if my clients want to work and receive benefits?
Totally fine. If your clients are able to work until they reach retirement age, this is a great way to potentially increase their benefits in the long run.
How do I define life expectancy?
This is a tough question to answer because let’s face it, you cannot tell the future. No one knows how long they will live. So, it’s more a question of what makes your clients feel more secure: a smaller benefit sooner, or a larger benefit later.
Retirement and social security are complex topics, but there are ways to make these subjects less intimidating. Start by having your conversations early, and review common terminology and questions so you feel educated and ready to discuss your options. Then see what an optimized Social Security Strategy looks like for your retirement goals.
Our intuitive and interactive financial planning allows you to begin Social Security optimization conversations as soon as plans are created.