If you’re like many Americans, you want to draw your Social Security as soon as you’re eligible to do so. After all, you’ve worked hard all your life—you’re ready to start enjoying your retirements benefits.
Ultimately, deciding whether to take benefits early with a smaller monthly amount for more years or waiting to take it down the road and receiving a larger monthly benefit over a
shorter timeframe depends on lots of factors—your current cash needs, health situation, and family longevity, for starters.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the key considerations that might influence your decision.
CONSIDER THESE FACTORS
Benefit amount. Your Social Security monthly benefit is calculated on the amount you would receive at your full retirement age (based on your lifetime earnings). But the
actual monthly amount you get is based on your age at the time you decide to begin receiving benefits.
You can start receiving your benefits from age 62 up until age 70—the longer you delay, the higher your monthly benefit amount. You receive an additional 8% per each year to delay. Remember, this choice is usually permanent and sets your basic monthly amount for the remainder of your life. (However, you will get annual cost-of-living adjustments and may get higher benefit amounts if you continue working.)
For example, let’s assume the following: (average benefits are higher than this)
Expected lifespan. SSA estimates that about one out of every three 65-year-olds today will live at least until age 90, and one out of seven will live until at least age 95—and most women live longer than men.²
This is a hard one to predict—however, many of us will live much longer than we expect, outliving the “average” retiree. If you live longer than your “break-even age” (usually about 12 years from your full retirement age), the overall value of your retirement benefits taken at full retirement age will begin to outweigh the value of reduced benefits taken at age 62.
Deciding when to begin receiving benefits is more complicated when you’re married. The age at which you begin receiving benefits may significantly affect the amount of lifetime income you and your spouse receive, as well as the benefit the surviving spouse will be entitled to upon your death. If you are the higher wage earner, and you delay starting your benefits, you will receive higher monthly benefits for the rest of your life—and higher survivor protection for your spouse if you die first.²
For many individuals, what really counts is how much they’ll receive each month, not how much they’ll accumulate over the years.
Income level. Another important part of the equation is to determine the amount of income you’ll need in retirement, based in part on your projected retirement expenses. If there’s a large gap between your projected expenses and your anticipated income, waiting a few years to retire before you start collecting Social Security benefits may improve your financial outlook.
If you continue to work and wait until your full retirement age to start collecting benefits, your Social Security monthly benefit will be larger. What’s more, the longer you stay in the workforce, the greater the amount of money you’ll earn and have available to put into your overall retirement savings. Another plus: Social Security’s annual cost-of-living increases are calculated using your initial year’s benefits as a base—the higher the base, the greater
your annual increase.
Working in retirement. Another key factor in your decision is whether or not you plan to continue working after you start collecting Social Security benefits at age 62. That’s because, generally, income you earn before full retirement age may reduce your Social Security retirement benefit. Specifically, if you are under full retirement age for the entire year, $1 in benefits will be withheld for every $2 you earn over the annual earnings limit ($18,960 in 2021).
When you reach full retirement age, SSA recalculates your benefits and gives you credit for months you didn’t get a benefit because of your earnings. As long as you continue to work and receive benefits, SSA checks your earnings record each year to determine whether your benefit should increase.
OTHER FACTORS
In addition to the factors discussed above, other financial considerations may influence when you should start collecting Social Security benefits and should be discussed with your financial planner or team of professional advisors:
Social Security rules can be quite complex. Before you make any decisions, it’s in your best interest to visit www.ssa.gov for more information and to take advantage of online services and calculation tools. Or, you can speak to a representative by calling Social Security toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 or at 1-800-325-0778 (TTY) if you’re deaf or hearing impaired.
WE’RE HERE TO HELP
Feeling confident that you’re financially prepared for the potential impact of your decisions surrounding receiving Social Security benefits during your retirement years is important. Commerce Trust will listen to your concerns and talk with you regarding any current or future financial issues that may require adjustments to your portfolio and retirement plan. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help protect your financial wellbeing down the road.
¹ Source: Social Security Administration, SSA Annual Statistical Supplement, 2020, accessed February 19, 2021).
² Source: Social Security Administration, Publication No. 05-10147, “When to Start Receiving Retirement Benefits,” January 2021, ssa.gov.
The opinions and other information in the commentary are provided as of March 02, 2021. This summary is intended to provide general information only, and may be of value to the reader and audience.
This material is not a recommendation of any particular investment or insurance strategy, is not based on any particular financial situation or need, and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified tax advisor or investment professional. While Commerce may provide information or express opinions from time to time, such information or opinions are subject to change, are not offered as professional tax, insurance or legal advice, and may not be relied on as such.
Data contained herein from third-party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed.
Commerce Trust is a division of Commerce Bank.
NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NO BANK GUARANTEE
Ultimately, deciding whether to take benefits early with a smaller monthly amount for more years or waiting to take it down the road and receiving a larger monthly benefit over a
shorter timeframe depends on lots of factors—your current cash needs, health situation, and family longevity, for starters.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the key considerations that might influence your decision.
CONSIDER THESE FACTORS
Benefit amount. Your Social Security monthly benefit is calculated on the amount you would receive at your full retirement age (based on your lifetime earnings). But the
actual monthly amount you get is based on your age at the time you decide to begin receiving benefits.
You can start receiving your benefits from age 62 up until age 70—the longer you delay, the higher your monthly benefit amount. You receive an additional 8% per each year to delay. Remember, this choice is usually permanent and sets your basic monthly amount for the remainder of your life. (However, you will get annual cost-of-living adjustments and may get higher benefit amounts if you continue working.)
For example, let’s assume the following: (average benefits are higher than this)
- You turn 62 years old in 2021.
- SSA considers your full retirement age is 66 years and 10 months.
- Your monthly benefit starting at your full retirement age is $1,000.
Expected lifespan. SSA estimates that about one out of every three 65-year-olds today will live at least until age 90, and one out of seven will live until at least age 95—and most women live longer than men.²
This is a hard one to predict—however, many of us will live much longer than we expect, outliving the “average” retiree. If you live longer than your “break-even age” (usually about 12 years from your full retirement age), the overall value of your retirement benefits taken at full retirement age will begin to outweigh the value of reduced benefits taken at age 62.
Deciding when to begin receiving benefits is more complicated when you’re married. The age at which you begin receiving benefits may significantly affect the amount of lifetime income you and your spouse receive, as well as the benefit the surviving spouse will be entitled to upon your death. If you are the higher wage earner, and you delay starting your benefits, you will receive higher monthly benefits for the rest of your life—and higher survivor protection for your spouse if you die first.²
For many individuals, what really counts is how much they’ll receive each month, not how much they’ll accumulate over the years.
Income level. Another important part of the equation is to determine the amount of income you’ll need in retirement, based in part on your projected retirement expenses. If there’s a large gap between your projected expenses and your anticipated income, waiting a few years to retire before you start collecting Social Security benefits may improve your financial outlook.
If you continue to work and wait until your full retirement age to start collecting benefits, your Social Security monthly benefit will be larger. What’s more, the longer you stay in the workforce, the greater the amount of money you’ll earn and have available to put into your overall retirement savings. Another plus: Social Security’s annual cost-of-living increases are calculated using your initial year’s benefits as a base—the higher the base, the greater
your annual increase.
Working in retirement. Another key factor in your decision is whether or not you plan to continue working after you start collecting Social Security benefits at age 62. That’s because, generally, income you earn before full retirement age may reduce your Social Security retirement benefit. Specifically, if you are under full retirement age for the entire year, $1 in benefits will be withheld for every $2 you earn over the annual earnings limit ($18,960 in 2021).
When you reach full retirement age, SSA recalculates your benefits and gives you credit for months you didn’t get a benefit because of your earnings. As long as you continue to work and receive benefits, SSA checks your earnings record each year to determine whether your benefit should increase.
OTHER FACTORS
In addition to the factors discussed above, other financial considerations may influence when you should start collecting Social Security benefits and should be discussed with your financial planner or team of professional advisors:
- What are the tax characteristics of my investment accounts?
- How will your income taxes be affected? Are there any tax management strategies that will work better if I delay Social Security?
- How do other sources of retirement income factor in?
- Do you plan on traveling, volunteering, going back to school, starting your own business, pursuing hobbies,
or moving to a new location? - Do you have multi-generational family members you will need to help support?
Social Security rules can be quite complex. Before you make any decisions, it’s in your best interest to visit www.ssa.gov for more information and to take advantage of online services and calculation tools. Or, you can speak to a representative by calling Social Security toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 or at 1-800-325-0778 (TTY) if you’re deaf or hearing impaired.
WE’RE HERE TO HELP
Feeling confident that you’re financially prepared for the potential impact of your decisions surrounding receiving Social Security benefits during your retirement years is important. Commerce Trust will listen to your concerns and talk with you regarding any current or future financial issues that may require adjustments to your portfolio and retirement plan. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help protect your financial wellbeing down the road.
¹ Source: Social Security Administration, SSA Annual Statistical Supplement, 2020, accessed February 19, 2021).
² Source: Social Security Administration, Publication No. 05-10147, “When to Start Receiving Retirement Benefits,” January 2021, ssa.gov.
The opinions and other information in the commentary are provided as of March 02, 2021. This summary is intended to provide general information only, and may be of value to the reader and audience.
This material is not a recommendation of any particular investment or insurance strategy, is not based on any particular financial situation or need, and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified tax advisor or investment professional. While Commerce may provide information or express opinions from time to time, such information or opinions are subject to change, are not offered as professional tax, insurance or legal advice, and may not be relied on as such.
Data contained herein from third-party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed.
Commerce Trust is a division of Commerce Bank.
NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NO BANK GUARANTEE