Seeking Retirement

Social Security

Social Security is a government-run program in the United States that provides a source of income for retirees, as well as for people who are disabled or the survivors of deceased workers. The program is funded through payroll taxes, and it is designed to provide a basic level of financial security for those who are no longer able to work.

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Ask Before Quitting

As we approach retirement, we often find ourselves immersed in a sea of financial considerations, pondering our savings, Social Security ... Read more...

physicianonfire.com Oct 27 2023

Social Security - early distribution math question

I’ve been doing an analysis of whether to take social security early (before 67) or not, and I wonder whether I am doing the math properly. If I compare taking SS at (a) age 62 versus 67, and al...

reddit.com Oct 27 2023

Social Security timeframes vary, why is that?

First a bit of backstory. I’m still five years away from retiring. I set my goal at 65, and with an IRA and 401k currently sitting at 700k, I feel comfortable with my five year plan. Especially ...

reddit.com Oct 24 2023

working while on social security

I understand that if I am on social security and under the full retirement age, then if I work and earn more than approximately $21,000 then for every 2 dollars earned they deduct a dollar. I was curi...

community.aarp.org Oct 23 2023

Survivor benefits

I am a widow, age 65. Initially when I visited the local SS office and presented all my paperwork, I was told that I could start collecting my SS benefit whenever I choose, and then when I turn 66+4 m...

community.aarp.org Oct 22 2023

Correcting Misperceptions about Social Security’s Fate

Once a year, Social Security reports on the program’s financial outlook but the bottom line doesn’t change: the reserve in the trust fund is running out of money. Many workers and retirees...

crr.bc.edu Oct 19 2023

Social Security at 62

I see a lot of comments that you should wait until 67 to take you SS as it increases by 7.5% per year. But if my sole income is IRAs (including a lump sum pension), I think it would be better to take ...

community.aarp.org Oct 19 2023

Social Security’s 3.2% COLA Reflects Cooling Inflation

Cost-of-living adjustment makes sure the backbone of our retirement system keeps pace with rising prices. With the release of the September CPI-W inflation number, the Social Security Administration a...

crr.bc.edu Oct 18 2023

How much SS after death of spouse

Both my wife and I are collecting SS benefits. I waited until just short of age 70 to collect. She started collecting at age 63. I receive the larger amount. When one of us passes, how is the survivin...

community.aarp.org Oct 18 2023

The U.S. Gets a C+ in Retirement

Social Security and 401(k) plans leave Americans less secure than retirees in much of the world, a new ranking finds...

wsj.com Oct 17 2023

Social Security Cola for 2024 Comes Back to Earth – 3.2%

October 12, 2024 –The Social Security Administration announced today that Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 71 million Americans will increase 3.2 per...

topretirements.com Oct 12 2023

2024 Social Security (and other related benefits) COLA

For 2024 - it is 3.2% But don’t get too excited? - Medicare Part B premiums still haven’t been announced - CAME BACK TO EDIT and ADD the new Part B base premium for 2024 - $174.70 CMS.gov ...

community.aarp.org Oct 12 2023

Why Blacks, Hispanics Contact Social Security More Often

In our high-tech world, virtually any transaction or communication can be executed online. Yet, despite the range of services that Social Security offers on its website, two-thirds of older Americans ...

crr.bc.edu Oct 03 2023

Questions I have about Social Security and Medicare

I (M66) reach FRA early 2024 at 66 1/2. I own my home and car, have some savings and investments, 401k, and a small pension. Simple 'back of the cocktail napkin' arithmetic leads me to believe I can a...

reddit.com Oct 01 2023

quick question about how to interpret the SS calculator

Hi I was using the SS calculator and entered that i would like to collect 5 months past my last birthday. My birthday is at the end of a month. So would I collect at the beginning of the 5th month or ...

reddit.com Oct 01 2023

Taking Social Security early or waiting until FRA ?

Hi I originally posted part of this on r/socialsecurity and u/Mid_AM suggested I post it here, too. I’m interested to hear from people who’ve taken their SS early vs full retirement age. H...

reddit.com Sep 30 2023

Are You Getting the Maximum Social Benefit?

September 19, 2023 – Quick – what is the 2023 maximum monthly benefit from Social Security? $2810/mo., $3035/month, $4193/mo., or $4,555/mo.? And, how much is the average benefit? If you g...

topretirements.com Sep 18 2023

Which States Tax Social Security Income?

March 30, 2023 — It might come as an unpleasant surprise to many people that Social Security income can be taxed on both the federal and the state level. While there is no escaping the federal t...

topretirements.com Mar 29 2023

What Is The Average Social Security Check? | Bankrate

Social Security offers a monthly benefit check to many kinds of recipients. As of October 2022, the average check is $1,550.48, according to the Social Security Administration – but that amount can ...

bankrate.com Mar 23 2023

Filling the Gap

For those retiring early: assuming you are waiting until 65 for a pension, and 70 for full SS benefits, how are you filling the gap until then? Are you tapping into savings? Skimming off interest? Wor...

reddit.com Mar 23 2023

You Can Come Out Of Retirement And Work Again

Everyone is suddenly talking about raising the retirement age, but is the discussion already moot? And what impact might earning post-retirement income have on your Social Security benefits?...

forbes.com Mar 20 2023

I'm confused on when to claim spousal benefits

I just turned 67 and claimed my SS benefit when I reached my FRA, last year. My wife, who turns 66 this next week, was mostly a stay at home mom but did teach for a few years. Upon her turning 62, she...

community.aarp.org Mar 20 2023

Can Social Security Be Saved? Yes, With a Few Changes

Nearly every retiree, and many younger adults, have heard the alarming news that the Social Security Trust Fund will run out of money in another ten years or so, although the exact date changes regula...

baby-boomer-retirement.com Mar 15 2023

Taking SS at full retirement age and still working

Does anyone know and can answer if one is taking SS at FRA and still working, is that person able to increase the SS benefit by replacing a lower wage year with a higher wage year after starting to co...

reddit.com Mar 14 2023

How is Social Security base rate computed?

I know all about how the amount we receive is adjusted by whether we retire at, before or after FRA. But what I’m trying to learn is which 35 highest years of income go into the equation- does i...

reddit.com Mar 13 2023