You fail to mention how collecting social security at your full retirement age (FRA) AND continuing to work will increase one's benefit. My FRA was 66 (born in 1954) and I started collecting SS benefits at 68 (2022). As I'm still working and making the SS limit, my benefit increases each year as the 35 highest years are recalculated. My wife is five years younger than me, so her FRA is 66 and 10 months, at which time she will collect 50% of my benefits. I'm planning to work until at least 73 so my benefit should continue to increase each year as I replace lower income years with higher income years. Great videos!
Great video! This is one of the best explanation of Social Security benefits and claiming guidelines that I have ever heard. As a 75 year retired CPA I went through the decision making process without good direction despite having a "so-called" financial planner.
Im waiting another 2 yrs to collect my maximum SS at 70. Since I was the higher earner, my wife started hers at 62. With her early SS, dividend paying stocks and 0 debt, it was an easy decision. Great explanation on SS benefit.
I want to share a point of interest with you, specifically regarding the spousal benefit. What you mentioned is true, if the spouse is a home maker. However, if the spouse worked and the job does NOT pay into SS they will NOT be eligible for SS. Yes, if you work 50 years and your spouse worked 40 years and only 5 of those years paid into SS this spouse would NOT receive spousal benefit. This was recently told to me!
Thank you James. I just investigated whether I should wait to full retirement age or take it at 62. I would give up 180000.00 for five years to get 1000.00 per month more per month.
If you get the max at 62, which is $2572 for 2023 you would get an extra $154,224 over 5 years. The increase is $1100. So your break even is about age 78, minus the opportunity costs. Always a tough call. I’m waiting till 70 due to the survivor benefit, my wife took early, my break even is around 82, but all women in her family live closer to 90. I have a 50% chance of making it to 83. Also remember that the inflation adjustment is larger when you start with a larger number.
@@hanswhite Federal taxing SS and SSDI was designed to effect those with higher outside income, and this money is returned to to SS to help preserve the fund. It was in the same position then SS is in now with limited funds. There was a BI-PARTISAN congressional commission that worked out ideological compromises in a back room, and it was expected that all would sign off on it.. The reason why it is hard to make the necessary changes is because people like you will play politics.
@@hanswhite During the Reagan Administration The Democrats, lead by Tip O'Neal in the house of representatives voted in the 50% tax on social security. The Democrats had majority in both houses. During the first term of the Clinton administration (Democrat) the second tax on social security was voted in by the Democrat led house and the vote was tied in Senate with Senator Joe Biden (Democrat ) voting in favor of the 85% tax and Vice President Al Gore (Democrat) was the tie breaking vote and signed into law by Bubba Clinton. That law was awful because that law never adjusted the provisional income bracket for inflation.
Great video! Your explanations are so easy to follow and understand. Thank you!! What are your thoughts on the reductions in social security coming in 2034? Seems like that puts a whole new twist on planning and deciding when to start drawing.
Great info James! Although I believe most people know about some of this it's good to see information on SS benefits for planning on the whole financial picture. Helping a spouse after we're gone should be part of the equation assuming that our own health is good enough to work. I would hate to think that my wife was struggling after I'm gone or be a financial burden on our kids because she needs the money. Glad you did this!
i believe you are over-simplifying the explanation of how much ss is taxed. the 3 buckets (0,50,85) are progressive. if the provisional amount is 33k, then only 50% of the amount over 32k is taxable, so .5*(33k - 32k)=$500 of ss is taxable. and if the provisional income is 45k, then .5*(44k-32k) + .85*(45k-44k) = $4k + $850 => $4850 is taxable. and these thresholds (0 to 32, 32 to 44, 44+) are for joint returns. single filers have lower thresholds, but the same progressive rules apply.
If a Spouse begins taking their Spousal Benefit prior to their Full Retirement Age (= a reduced benefit) does that benefit reduction carry-over to the Spouse’s Survivor Benefit when their spouse passes away?
I am quite confident (95%+) that they are separate. If the surviving spouse is at least their FRA when they claim the survivor benefit, they will receive what their spouse was receiving (or would be receiving if they had claimed) when they passed away. If anybody thinks this is incorrect, let me know.
Let's say my wife and I both have the same earnings over our 35 years of employment. How would the benefits work for us if we are both at full retirement age? Would it be essentially 1.5 times either of our individual benefits? Let's assume I am entitled to receive $2500 a month. Does my spouse get to choose the greater of her benefits or half of mine in this case? My understanding is this would not be the case but I am just now getting into the Social Security aspect of my future retirement. Great video and thank you!
It's really ridiculous to think someone should have to work past 62 life is really short to think all you are going to do is work. Wake up people in US. This is crazy and wait... insurance what a rip off. Nuts!!!
Hi James, thanks for the video, great content. Quick question, let say you work 25 years, and for the next 10 years just do Roth conversion at $100K/ year so does the taxes you pay on Roth conversion count/add to the calculation of years worked in the bene calculation? Thank you for your help
James says: for MFJ, if the provisional income (PI) is over $32k then 50% of your SS benefit is included in your taxable income. This is incorrect. 50% of the PI in the 32k - 44k bracket is included in taxable income. Similarly, 85% of the PI over 44k is included in taxable income. This calc is capped at 85% of the benefit being taxable
Great video as usual! One thing I would liked to have you clarify is the scenario when the two partners PIAs are very close to each other. Let's say for example the older spouse has a PIA of $3600 and the younger spouse has a PIA of $3400. Would it be wise for the younger spouse to take spousal benefit at 62 ($1800) and the older spouse to delay taking until at least FRA or even until 70 then could the younger spouse switch to their own PIA ($3400) at their FRA? Hope the question isn't too muddled.
James, what can you tell us about the six-month "look back" payment, we we are told is available when a person decides to start the SS benefit? Our understanding is that - when commencing SS payments -- a person has the option of looking back six months prior, and collecting (as a first payment) that slightly smaller amount, multiplied by six. At that point, the ongoing payment monthly will be that prior amount (the number that is multiplied by 6) but loosing that incremental amount ongoing may be amount that would not be "recouped" for many years, making the six month "look back" large payment the best decision. Thoughts?
Thank you for this great explanation on spousal benefit and survivor benefit. I needed clarity on that as we're considering taking my own benefit earlier and waiting for later on my spouse's.
I got ripped off badly when I became disabled many years ago. They said that because I waited too long to file that they didn't have to pay me maximum benefits like they would have if I had filed about 3 months earlier. So, I get about $3,000 less a month than I should be. So stay on top of things or end up making not even enough to rent a decent home or even eat well.
Thank you James for all of this valuable information. I appreciate the way you explain things- at my level. I have a basic understanding of finances and retirement and I've learned so much from you! I've had an introductory meeting with Chris Riboli and I'm having another meeting with him tomorrow- my 62nd birthday! I'm looking forward to retiring in October!!!!
if you start at 62, you get less, but if you wait until 70, your monthly checks can be much higher. It’s about figuring out what works best for your situation
I have 30 years working towards SS. The last 10 years I have received 0 for each year I have not worked. If my estimated benefit would be say 1800 at 62 how much more would it benefit me to work a part time job to get to 35 years. Basically I’m just wondering how much of a difference it would make. If it’s not much than it would be worth. Please let me know what you think. Thanks!
Thanks for the video! Is there a way to find out how much less the benefit will be if I plan to retire early (before 62) and I don’t have 35 years of work?
I think we receive an annual SS statement. If you accidentally threw it out, go online and pull yours from there. That would be your best chance given it should represent your actual payments in to the system.
The scenario on spousal benefits it would have been nice to hear is when my wife and I are the same age and my wife begins her SS at 62 but I wait until 70. If the spousal benefits on my delayed SS is more than what my wife is collecting on her SS, does she now swap over to the spousal benefits? For example, wife’s SS @ 62 = $1000 and 8 years later I begin SS @ 70 = $3000 (spousal benefits = $1500). Can my wife @ 70 now begin spousal benefits = $1500?
Just in case you were not aware, spousal benefits no longer exist. If you didn't reach age 62 by Dec. 31, 2015, you cannot claim spousal Social Security benefits and later switch to claiming your own benefit. A federal law was passed in 2015 eliminating that strategy, which some couples once used to maximize their Social Security benefit.
Do military pensions apply to calculating provisional income? Also, I thought they were restricting the ability to collect a spouse's and then switch to your own benefit at 70?
Having a “hostile” divorce has nothing to do with social security entitlement. As part of the process of applying for social security retirement, you will be asked for your marital history, and social security will advise you of your divorced spouse’s benefit, if you want to know it.
Will my spouses SS be reduced by WEP when I die. I currently have a pension with a 100% spousal benefit. My SS is wiped out by WEP. I am curious if when my wife gets my pension if her SS will be reduced. We plan on taking her SS later but if this WEP is the case maybe we take it earlier. Just to clarify, my spouse's SS is based on her own eligibility for SS Thanks
Your video is very clear and really helpful. However, when I went to SS to claim what you mentioned about claiming against benefits of spouse ( my own benefit is quite low, 1/4 of my husband's benefit), I was told I can't qualify. I started collecting my benefit at 62. The only time I will qualify for husband's benefit is when he dies! Who should I go to seek guidance and assistance? Thank you.
When you and your spouse are both on full retirement age. Can you claim spousal benefit now at age 67 then claim your own benefit at age 70? By initially claiming spousal benefit at age 67, Will you get the step up benefit (delayed retirement credit) for waiting to claim your own benefit until age 70?
I started my SS at 62 1/2, my wife who is 20 months younger than me started at 62. With my pension for working 25+ years we're doing just fine.That was over 3 years ago & we never looked back. Haven't touched our investments other than to travel. I had two brothers die of cancer 3 years apart. One died at 62 & never drew a dime of his SS. The other died at at 65 & drew 10 months. Let's be honest here, the reason the Government is offering you a bigger payday at 70 is because they're banking on you not making it
Quick question regarding spousal benefits: Let’s assume my wife and I are both 62 and my Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) at Full Retirement Age (FRA) is estimated at $3,000 per month as per your example. If I decide to collect SS at 62, I will incur a 30% penalty and so my monthly check would be $2,100. If my wife also decides to collect spousal benefits at 62, she will also incur a 30% penalty, but will the penalty be 30% of $1,500 (50% of my $3,000 PIA at FRA) or 30% of $1,050 (50% of $2,100 that I am collecting at 62)?
SO the spousal benefit confuses me. I’m planning on taking SS next year. I will be 65 plus 8 months. My full retirement age is 66 and 8 months. My wife started drawing her benefits at exactly 65. Her full retirement age is actually the same as mine. Since i”m not at full retirement age and neither will she be when I start drawing SS would she be able to take the spousal benefit then or should she wait until we are both actually at full retirement age? My benefit is more than twice her benefit even though I won’t be full retirement age when I start drawing.
If you let your retirement benefit ride and just live off of hers, she can bump up to whatever yours is worth if you die before she does. Once you hit full retirement age, I THINK she can bump up to spousal payments, which is half of your full retirement amount, even if you don't start taking yours.
Let's say that I wait until age 70 and start collecting a larger benefit. When my wife starts collecting 50% of my benefit at her full retirement age, is that 50% based on my full retirement benefit or the 50% of the larger benefit that I'm actually receiving, based on waiting until age 70? Same question for survivor benefit. So, let's say that I die at age 71. Does my wife receive my full retirement benefit or the increased amount that I was receiving, based on waiting until age 70.
I just found the answer in your other video, which says that my spouse/wife's benefit will be 50% of my full retirement benefit, not 50% of my increased benefit by waiting until age 70. I assume the same applies for the death benefit, which means my wife would start receiving my full retirement benefit, not the benefit plus "delayed retirement credits."
Maybe I missed this but does the surviving spouse receive 100% of the deceased spouse’s full retirement age benefit or 100% of the deceased spouse’s actual benefit. (Say their delayed benefit if they waited until age 70 or age 62 benefit if they elected early)
So much detail for those who have spouses. But you did note ‘em mention the taxation thresholds for single people. Do you realize bias your videos have for couples?
I'll be 67 this year and trying to stay in the 12% tax bracket while doing roth conversions and save on taxes when the RMD'S kick in. But I'm still not 100% sure if that is the best strategy. By holding off another 3 years for SS, I'm giving up on approx 100k.
But how much are you saving by rolling over the retirement accounts early at lower tax rates that will grow tax free...plus your SS will grow at 8% per year too.
I think you can access your IRA at 59 1/2. To answer your question (maybe?): Depends on how much you will need annually in retirement and on how long you plan to be retired (that is a polite way of saying “when do you plan to die?”). You may not wish to consider SS in your calculations-but that’s what this video is about, so…not sure what prompted you to ask that particular question in the comments section of a SS video.
So it’s not gonna be half of my retirement because I have the windfall elimination act hitting my Social Security so that first statement made me want to turn this off--I’m going to listen and I may change his comment and I may not
You fail to mention how collecting social security at your full retirement age (FRA) AND continuing to work will increase one's benefit. My FRA was 66 (born in 1954) and I started collecting SS benefits at 68 (2022). As I'm still working and making the SS limit, my benefit increases each year as the 35 highest years are recalculated. My wife is five years younger than me, so her FRA is 66 and 10 months, at which time she will collect 50% of my benefits. I'm planning to work until at least 73 so my benefit should continue to increase each year as I replace lower income years with higher income years. Great videos!
Should i marry a homeless man at 70??
Great video! This is one of the best explanation of Social Security benefits and claiming guidelines that I have ever heard. As a 75 year retired CPA I went through the decision making process without good direction despite having a "so-called" financial planner.
Meanwhile another guy who is on TH-cam is telling us to retire as soon as you can without going into detail. He says to get a financial advisor.
Im waiting another 2 yrs to collect my maximum SS at 70. Since I was the higher earner, my wife started hers at 62. With her early SS, dividend paying stocks and 0 debt, it was an easy decision. Great explanation on SS benefit.
I want to share a point of interest with you, specifically regarding the spousal benefit. What you mentioned is true, if the spouse is a home maker. However, if the spouse worked and the job does NOT pay into SS they will NOT be eligible for SS. Yes, if you work 50 years and your spouse worked 40 years and only 5 of those years paid into SS this spouse would NOT receive spousal benefit. This was recently told to me!
I'd love you to make a video when the older spouse is the low earner. When to collect for either person.
Thank you James. I just investigated whether I should wait to full retirement age or take it at 62. I would give up 180000.00 for five years to get 1000.00 per month more per month.
Careful of the clawback if you still have earned income.
If you get the max at 62, which is $2572 for 2023 you would get an extra $154,224 over 5 years. The increase is $1100. So your break even is about age 78, minus the opportunity costs.
Always a tough call. I’m waiting till 70 due to the survivor benefit, my wife took early, my break even is around 82, but all women in her family live closer to 90. I have a 50% chance of making it to 83. Also remember that the inflation adjustment is larger when you start with a larger number.
Good to knowing
I appreciate your videos! Sure beats trying to read the SS website!
A very clear explanation of ss and the tax effect of retirement income. Thank you
Federal or state taxing SSI is just wrong.
You can thank Ronald Reagan and Republicans for that.
@@hanswhite Federal taxing SS and SSDI was designed to effect those with higher outside income, and this money is returned to to SS to help preserve the fund. It was in the same position then SS is in now with limited funds. There was a BI-PARTISAN congressional commission that worked out ideological compromises in a back room, and it was expected that all would sign off on it.. The reason why it is hard to make the necessary changes is because people like you will play politics.
@@hanswhite During the Reagan Administration The Democrats, lead by Tip O'Neal in the house of representatives voted in the 50% tax on social security. The Democrats had majority in both houses. During the first term of the Clinton administration (Democrat) the second tax on social security was voted in by the Democrat led house and the vote was tied in Senate with Senator Joe Biden (Democrat ) voting in favor of the 85% tax and Vice President Al Gore (Democrat) was the tie breaking vote and signed into law by Bubba Clinton. That law was awful because that law never adjusted the provisional income bracket for inflation.
thank you @James. Good to know about taxes on Soc Sec income and that CA does not tax social security benefits.
Great video! Your explanations are so easy to follow and understand. Thank you!!
What are your thoughts on the reductions in social security coming in 2034? Seems like that puts a whole new twist on planning and deciding when to start drawing.
Excellent explanation!
Thank you
Does earnings earned outside of US count towards SS calculation? Thank you.
Great info James!
Although I believe most people know about some of this it's good to see information on SS benefits for planning on the whole financial picture. Helping a spouse after we're gone should be part of the equation assuming that our own health is good enough to work. I would hate to think that my wife was struggling after I'm gone or be a financial burden on our kids because she needs the money. Glad you did this!
i believe you are over-simplifying the explanation of how much ss is taxed. the 3 buckets (0,50,85) are progressive. if the provisional amount is 33k, then only 50% of the amount over 32k is taxable, so .5*(33k - 32k)=$500 of ss is taxable. and if the provisional income is 45k, then .5*(44k-32k) + .85*(45k-44k) = $4k + $850 => $4850 is taxable. and these thresholds (0 to 32, 32 to 44, 44+) are for joint returns. single filers have lower thresholds, but the same progressive rules apply.
You are absolutely correct.
Taking mine at 70 plan on living to 105- 110 years of age.
If a Spouse begins taking their Spousal Benefit prior to their Full Retirement Age (= a reduced benefit) does that benefit reduction carry-over to the Spouse’s Survivor Benefit when their spouse passes away?
No, it only affects your own benefit. The only exception, is if your spouse passes before your FRA, and you take it before your FRA.
I am quite confident (95%+) that they are separate. If the surviving spouse is at least their FRA when they claim the survivor benefit, they will receive what their spouse was receiving (or would be receiving if they had claimed) when they passed away. If anybody thinks this is incorrect, let me know.
Let's say my wife and I both have the same earnings over our 35 years of employment. How would the benefits work for us if we are both at full retirement age? Would it be essentially 1.5 times either of our individual benefits? Let's assume I am entitled to receive $2500 a month. Does my spouse get to choose the greater of her benefits or half of mine in this case? My understanding is this would not be the case but I am just now getting into the Social Security aspect of my future retirement. Great video and thank you!
It's really ridiculous to think someone should have to work past 62 life is really short to think all you are going to do is work. Wake up people in US. This is crazy and wait... insurance what a rip off. Nuts!!!
Hi James, thanks for the video, great content. Quick question, let say you work 25 years, and for the next 10 years just do Roth conversion at $100K/ year so does the taxes you pay on Roth conversion count/add to the calculation of years worked in the bene calculation? Thank you for your help
James says: for MFJ, if the provisional income (PI) is over $32k then 50% of your SS benefit is included in your taxable income. This is incorrect. 50% of the PI in the 32k - 44k bracket is included in taxable income. Similarly, 85% of the PI over 44k is included in taxable income. This calc is capped at 85% of the benefit being taxable
Great video as usual! One thing I would liked to have you clarify is the scenario when the two partners PIAs are very close to each other. Let's say for example the older spouse has a PIA of $3600 and the younger spouse has a PIA of $3400. Would it be wise for the younger spouse to take spousal benefit at 62 ($1800) and the older spouse to delay taking until at least FRA or even until 70 then could the younger spouse switch to their own PIA ($3400) at their FRA? Hope the question isn't too muddled.
James, what can you tell us about the six-month "look back" payment, we we are told is available when a person decides to start the SS benefit? Our understanding is that - when commencing SS payments -- a person has the option of looking back six months prior, and collecting (as a first payment) that slightly smaller amount, multiplied by six. At that point, the ongoing payment monthly will be that prior amount (the number that is multiplied by 6) but loosing that incremental amount ongoing may be amount that would not be "recouped" for many years, making the six month "look back" large payment the best decision. Thoughts?
Thank you for this great explanation on spousal benefit and survivor benefit. I needed clarity on that as we're considering taking my own benefit earlier and waiting for later on my spouse's.
I got ripped off badly when I became disabled many years ago. They said that because I waited too long to file that they didn't have to pay me maximum benefits like they would have if I had filed about 3 months earlier. So, I get about $3,000 less a month than I should be. So stay on top of things or end up making not even enough to rent a decent home or even eat well.
Thank you James for all of this valuable information. I appreciate the way you explain things- at my level. I have a basic understanding of finances and retirement and I've learned so much from you! I've had an introductory meeting with Chris Riboli and I'm having another meeting with him tomorrow- my 62nd birthday! I'm looking forward to retiring in October!!!!
if you start at 62, you get less, but if you wait until 70, your monthly checks can be much higher. It’s about figuring out what works best for your situation
I have 30 years working towards SS. The last 10 years I have received 0 for each year I have not worked. If my estimated benefit would be say 1800 at 62 how much more would it benefit me to work a part time job to get to 35 years. Basically I’m just wondering how much of a difference it would make. If it’s not much than it would be worth. Please let me know what you think. Thanks!
Thanks for the video! Is there a way to find out how much less the benefit will be if I plan to retire early (before 62) and I don’t have 35 years of work?
I think we receive an annual SS statement. If you accidentally threw it out, go online and pull yours from there. That would be your best chance given it should represent your actual payments in to the system.
Great info and presentation! I have watched several of your videos today. Really glad you got recommended to me! Subscribed!
How do dividends play into s s taxes
Dividends are part of your provisional income for the calculation about how much of your SS is taxed.
The scenario on spousal benefits it would have been nice to hear is when my wife and I are the same age and my wife begins her SS at 62 but I wait until 70. If the spousal benefits on my delayed SS is more than what my wife is collecting on her SS, does she now swap over to the spousal benefits? For example, wife’s SS @ 62 = $1000 and 8 years later I begin SS @ 70 = $3000 (spousal benefits = $1500). Can my wife @ 70 now begin spousal benefits = $1500?
So many angles to try to understand. 🙄😣😫
Of course, rules written by lawyers, lobbyists and politicians convoluted to please their campaign donors wishes.
Can you recommend someone from North Carolina that can help with retirement/tax help.
We are licensed to help clients in all 50 states. You can go to our website rootfinancialpartners.com to see if we might be a good fit.
Just in case you were not aware, spousal benefits no longer exist. If you didn't reach age 62 by Dec. 31, 2015, you cannot claim spousal Social Security benefits and later switch to claiming your own benefit. A federal law was passed in 2015 eliminating that strategy, which some couples once used to maximize their Social Security benefit.
Spousal benefits do still exist. The file and suspend strategy is what congress eliminated.
Yeah I think I read about that. The information is here:
www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/applying7.html
Good information, but not enough to help people do their own analysis. SSA needs better tools on their website
Do military pensions apply to calculating provisional income?
Also, I thought they were restricting the ability to collect a spouse's and then switch to your own benefit at 70?
Great Video.
Thank you for this information.
After a hostile divorce, how does an ex-spouse determine if their spousal benefit pays more?
Having a “hostile” divorce has nothing to do with social security entitlement.
As part of the process of applying for social security retirement, you will be asked for your marital history, and social security will advise you of your divorced spouse’s benefit, if you want to know it.
Please clarify the effect of remarriage on collecting based on the ex's work record.
Excellent video! Thanks! The link at the end didn't work for me. I'd like to watch it.
🎉 Very informative
Does any of this apply to ssa payments?
Will my spouses SS be reduced by WEP when I die. I currently have a pension with a 100% spousal benefit. My SS is wiped out by WEP. I am curious if when my wife gets my pension if her SS will be reduced. We plan on taking her SS later but if this WEP is the case maybe we take it earlier. Just to clarify, my spouse's SS is based on her own eligibility for SS Thanks
Your video is very clear and really helpful. However, when I went to SS to claim what you mentioned about claiming against benefits of spouse ( my own benefit is quite low, 1/4 of my husband's benefit), I was told I can't qualify. I started collecting my benefit at 62. The only time I will qualify for husband's benefit is when he dies! Who should I go to seek guidance and assistance? Thank you.
you need to provide more info. such as your spouse age, what his FRA is, is he collecting SSA already, and if started to collect at FRA or before
How do you find out how much your ex-spouse’s SS amount is other then asking them? Is there a way to to be able to look it up?
When you and your spouse are both on full retirement age. Can you claim spousal benefit now at age 67 then claim your own benefit at age 70? By initially claiming spousal benefit at age 67, Will you get the step up benefit (delayed retirement credit) for waiting to claim your own benefit until age 70?
I believe one of the spouses has to be collecting SS For the other one to claim Spousal benefit
I started my SS at 62 1/2, my wife who is 20 months younger than me started at 62. With my pension for working 25+ years we're doing just fine.That was over 3 years ago & we never looked back. Haven't touched our investments other than to travel. I had two brothers die of cancer 3 years apart. One died at 62 & never drew a dime of his SS. The other died at at 65 & drew 10 months. Let's be honest here, the reason the Government is offering you a bigger payday at 70 is because they're banking on you not making it
Quick question regarding spousal benefits: Let’s assume my wife and I are both 62 and my Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) at Full Retirement Age (FRA) is estimated at $3,000 per month as per your example. If I decide to collect SS at 62, I will incur a 30% penalty and so my monthly check would be $2,100. If my wife also decides to collect spousal benefits at 62, she will also incur a 30% penalty, but will the penalty be 30% of $1,500 (50% of my $3,000 PIA at FRA) or 30% of $1,050 (50% of $2,100 that I am collecting at 62)?
your wife will be eligible for spousal benefit only if you start collecting your at FRA, not at 62. Read related info on SSA.gov site
SO the spousal benefit confuses me. I’m planning on taking SS next year. I will be 65 plus 8 months. My full retirement age is 66 and 8 months. My wife started drawing her benefits at exactly 65. Her full retirement age is actually the same as mine. Since i”m not at full retirement age and neither will she be when I start drawing SS would she be able to take the spousal benefit then or should she wait until we are both actually at full retirement age? My benefit is more than twice her benefit even though I won’t be full retirement age when I start drawing.
We are confused about this as well.
If you let your retirement benefit ride and just live off of hers, she can bump up to whatever yours is worth if you die before she does. Once you hit full retirement age, I THINK she can bump up to spousal payments, which is half of your full retirement amount, even if you don't start taking yours.
@@catchristo9406
She cannot switch to spousal until he claims his.
James, why do we not include the published forecast reduction of Social Security benefits down to 78% in 2033?
Let's say that I wait until age 70 and start collecting a larger benefit. When my wife starts collecting 50% of my benefit at her full retirement age, is that 50% based on my full retirement benefit or the 50% of the larger benefit that I'm actually receiving, based on waiting until age 70? Same question for survivor benefit. So, let's say that I die at age 71. Does my wife receive my full retirement benefit or the increased amount that I was receiving, based on waiting until age 70.
I just found the answer in your other video, which says that my spouse/wife's benefit will be 50% of my full retirement benefit, not 50% of my increased benefit by waiting until age 70. I assume the same applies for the death benefit, which means my wife would start receiving my full retirement benefit, not the benefit plus "delayed retirement credits."
Maybe I missed this but does the surviving spouse receive 100% of the deceased spouse’s full retirement age benefit or 100% of the deceased spouse’s actual benefit. (Say their delayed benefit if they waited until age 70 or age 62 benefit if they elected early)
If my spouse is 10 years younger than me and I'm 62, can I collect the spousal benefit?
Your spouse must be collecting their own benefit for you to collect a spousal benefit on their earnings record.
Is it true Social security doesnt pass to children but 401k does, so 401k should be taken last?
So much detail for those who have spouses. But you did note ‘em mention the taxation thresholds for single people. Do you realize bias your videos have for couples?
I'll be 67 this year and trying to stay in the 12% tax bracket while doing roth conversions and save on taxes when the RMD'S kick in. But I'm still not 100% sure if that is the best strategy. By holding off another 3 years for SS, I'm giving up on approx 100k.
But how much are you saving by rolling over the retirement accounts early at lower tax rates that will grow tax free...plus your SS will grow at 8% per year too.
I have $3,000,000 in my IRA. Age 62. Do I have to wait until full retirement-age 67 to retire???
I think you can access your IRA at 59 1/2.
To answer your question (maybe?): Depends on how much you will need annually in retirement and on how long you plan to be retired (that is a polite way of saying “when do you plan to die?”). You may not wish to consider SS in your calculations-but that’s what this video is about, so…not sure what prompted you to ask that particular question in the comments section of a SS video.
I have the same but working until 65 so I don’t have to spend $1,000 a month of private insurance!
If I retire at 65 and receive $3600 and my wife waits until 67… does she get 50% of $3600 or 50% of my retirement that I would have received at 67 ?
Super complicated, and I'm a PhD....🙃
So it’s not gonna be half of my retirement because I have the windfall elimination act hitting my Social Security so that first statement made me want to turn this off--I’m going to listen and I may change his comment and I may not
My husband could get $4700 a month at age 70 but I don’t think he can wait that long.
It's hard to take advice on social security from a teenager.
They expect you to pass by 71.
Too complicated for me.
Yeah…he lost me with the tax stuff.
hey dude ,i don't make 1 mil am year . try a 50 k a yr
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What wrong information did he give on provisional income?
Lets tax you on the money you have already been taxed on.
One of the more complicated Ponzi schemes in existence...
It is a shame to provide wrong information on how provisional income is taxed. Why are you misleading people?
You can collect social security anytime you want if you have enough money!!!