When it comes to planning for retirement, Social Security benefits have traditionally been viewed as a safety net for many individuals. However, in recent years, there has been growing concern about the long-term viability and sustainability of the Social Security system. As a result, it is becoming increasingly important for individuals to reconsider relying solely on Social Security benefits as …
Timing Your Earnings in Retirement to Optimize Your Social Security Retirement Benefit
What is this strategy? If you work after you begin receiving Social Security retirement benefits, all or part of your retirement benefit may be withheld if your earnings exceed the retirement earnings test exempt amount. However, excess earnings won’t affect your benefit once you reach full retirement age, and it’s possible to time your earnings in retirement in order to …
Social Security Gets a Massive 8.7% Raise
Social security is way behind inflation so you may need a better retirement plan. In October of 2022, the Social Security Administration announced that Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 70 million Americans will increase 8.7%. The adjustment will increase monthly Social Security checks by about $145 per month on average, according to AARP, which …
The Health of Social Security – Some Good News and Some Bad News
With approximately 94% of American workers covered by Social Security and 65 million people currently receiving benefits, keeping Social Security healthy is a major concern.1 Social Security isn’t in danger of going broke — it’s financed primarily through payroll taxes — but its financial health is declining, and benefits may eventually be reduced unless Congress acts. Each year, the Trustees …
Myths and Facts About Social Security
Myth: Social Security will provide most of the income you need in retirement. Fact: It’s likely that Social Security will provide a smaller portion of retirement income than you expect. There’s no doubt about it — Social Security is an important source of retirement income for most Americans. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), nearly nine out of ten …