Social Security Maximization
Social Security Maximization - When Should I Take My Social Security?
When Should I Take My Social Security?
- You can begin taking your Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62, but those benefits are a lot lower than if you wait until your “FULL RETIREMENT AGE” (FRA). If you take your Social Security before then, you will be subject to an “earnings penalty” if you earn more than $19,560 (as of 2022), The Social Security administration will apply an “EARNINGS PENALTY” and take back some of your benefits.
- Once you reach FRA, there is no more “EARNINGS PENALTY” – you can make a million/year and still receive your full benefit.
- Almost every year, the Social Security Administration declares a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for all those receiving any kind of benefit from Social Security.
- Every year you delay taking your SS retirement benefits, it goes up by 8% plus an annual amount of COLA (is there anywhere else we can get a guaranteed 8% return these days?)
- After age 70, there are no more credits or growth granted to your benefit (other than COLAs), so it makes no sense to delay taking the benefits any further.
- The rules relating to widows/widowers and divorced people can be confusing, so it is best to meet with us or another financial professional on this front.
The Good News –We have Social Security Optimization software available for you that can show you all of your options (whether you are single or married). Keep in mind that in addition to actual dollars involved, there are several other important factors to take into consideration when deciding on when to begin your Social Security benefits…
- Your health and life expectancy
- Your near-term tax situation
- Your non-Social Security income potential, and other resources
- The health of the Social Security System
What is Medicare? - A Primer on Medicare and Medicare Supplements
How does it work – when am I entitled, and how do I enroll?
Medicare typically has 4 parts for the average American to be aware of:
PART A: Covers hospital stays, skilled nursing cares, hospice care
PART B: Covers doctors visits, lab work, medical equipment, ambulance services, etc.
PART C: Also known as Medicare Advantage. These plans are “all in one” alternatives to “original Medicare”, which is A, B, and D above. They are offered by private companies and offer low or no monthly premiums, but also come with provider limitations and lack of coverage while traveling. We have experienced Medicare and Medicare Supplement professionals on our team who can answer all your questions and help you choose the best supplement plan for your situation
PART D: This is the prescriptions part of Medicare. These plans are generally inexpensive, unless you take a lot of prescriptions. There are several private companies that offer these plans, as there are with Medicare supplement plans.
Medigap Insurance – Also known as Medicare Supplement policies, or simply Med Supps. These inexpensive policies are sold by private insurance companies, and are intended to fill in the “gaps” in Medicare A & B.
There are several Med Supp plans to choose from, (Plans A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N) with different costs and benefit levels. All companies offering Med Supp policies must offer the same benefits for each federally mandated plan, so it is often just a matter of price and service that will help you decide on a carrier.
There are limited features of Medicare Parts A, B, D, and supplement plans that you need to learn or become aware of.
Medicare Part C: Also known as Medicare Advantage
These plans are “all in one” alternatives to “original Medicare”, which is A, B, and D above. They are offered by private companies and offer low or no monthly premiums, but also come with provider limitations and lack of coverage while traveling. We have experienced Medicare and Medicare Supplement professionals on our team who can answer all your questions and help you choose the best supplement plan for your situation.