The decision about when to retire has become complex. The timing can have a significant impact on an individual's income and security. It can affect the amount saved for retirement, the level of Social Security benefits received during retirement, and the investment returns expected to be earned on retirement savings after retiring.
When to Retire
Determine where retirement income may come from. Clients who may have saved "enough" but have lost any company retirement plan may need to continue working. Or two wage earners who retire at the same time may not be able to replace any lost funds due to the market downturn. So helping clients understand the risks associated with the timing of retirement can make a difference in the overall experience of retirement.
Social Security
Social Security Insurance was established in 1935 as a financial safety net for older Americans. Eight decades later, most Americans pay into the system, with Social Security as the largest source of income for individuals age 65 and older.
The program is based on contributions that workers make into the system. While your client is employed, they pay into Social Security; when it's their turn to retire they receive benefits.
Your client can start their Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62 or as late as age 70 (if they were born in 1960 or later, their full retirement age is 67). Their monthly benefit amount will be different depending on the age they start receiving it.
The amount of money your client receives from Social Security is based on a number of factors, including how much income they earned throughout their working years, the year they were born, and the age at which they file for benefits. If they claim Social Security early, their benefits will be reduced by a fraction of a percent for each month before their full retirement age.
The following best practices are recommended by the U.S. Social Security Administration website.
How Benefits Are Calculated
Benefits are based on your lifetime earnings. Your actual earnings are adjusted or "indexed" to account for changes in average wages since the year the earnings were received. Then Social Security calculates your average indexed monthly earnings during the 35 years in which you earned the most.
Social Security recipients below their full retirement age (66 for those born between 1943 and 1954) can earn up to $14,640 in 2012 (not including tax withholdings).
Paying Income Tax on Benefits
Some states tax Social Security benefits, while others don't. Check the laws in the state where you reside.
No matter where you live, you will have to pay federal taxes on your Social Security benefits if you file a federal tax return as an individual and your total income is more than $25,000. If you file a joint return, you will have to pay taxes if you and your spouse have a total income of more than $32,000.
If You Wait to Claim, Benefits Increase
Monthly Social Security payments will be bigger if you wait until your full retirement age to sign up for benefits instead of claiming at age 62. Even if you delay your claiming decision by a year, you will get a boost in your benefit.
Claiming Benefits After Your Full Retirement Age (Older than 65)
If you wait as long as possible to collect, your payments could increase by 8 percent annually after your full retirement age. Additionally, you get two-thirds of 1 percent more for each month you delay.
