The Secrets to Maximizing Your Social Security Benefits

Posted Tuesday, June 14th, 2011 at 9:00 pm

“If you were born between 1943 and 1954, you have an FRA age of 66. You would receive only 75 percent of your FRA benefits if you begin taking them at 62.”

Best options depend on individual circumstances

The greatest fear of older Americans today is running out of money during retirement. An important part of most retirees’ income is social security benefits. Unfortunately, most retirees fail to maximize their benefits to which they are entitled.

According to the Employee Benefit Research Institute (www.ebri.org), social security benefits make up an average of 40 percent of older people’s income. Two-thirds of those receiving benefits began taking them at age 62. Nine out of ten people 65 and older receive social security benefits, and for 32 percent of those, it makes up 90 percent of their income.

Patience is rewarded

Social security provides lifelong, inflation-adjusted, government-guaranteed income. If you have worked for 40 quarters (10 years) you could be eligible to begin receiving benefits at age 62. However, if you begin taking benefits before your full retirement age (FRA), your benefits are reduced. For example, if you were born between 1943 and 1954, you have an FRA age of 66. You would receive only 75 percent of your FRA benefits if you begin taking them at 62. On the other hand, each year you delay your benefits beyond FRA, up to age 70, increases your benefit amount by 8 percent. See chart below.

Monthly benefit amount
Based on a hypothetical $2000 monthly benefit at FRA of 66

Age starting benefits Benefit amount
62 $ 1500
66 $ 2000
68 $ 2320
70 or older $ 2640

Delaying payouts is an easy way to significantly increase your benefits if you can afford to wait. When you decide to start your benefits should depend on your need for income and your expected longevity.

Other ways to increase benefits

There are other, more sophisticated methods for maximizing your benefits. One technique for a married couple is to “file and suspend.” The higher-earning spouse, upon reaching FRA, would file for retirement benefits and immediately suspend them. Filing and suspending payments allows the lower earner to claim a higher spousal benefit and the higher earner to continue working (if he/she so chooses) and claim a greater benefit later. This not only helps maximize the couples’ lifetime benefits, but also maximizes the surviving spouse’s benefits.

Another technique for maximizing spousal benefits is known as “double dipping.” Spouses in dual-earner marriages who have reached their FRA can claim social security benefits twice. Each spouse files a claim for spousal benefits while delaying his/her own benefits until later. Each spouse can later file for benefits based on his or her own record and receive higher monthly benefits. This strategy works best for couples with comparable incomes.

A fourth method to increase social security payments is to utilize the higher earner’s benefits. Spouses are entitled to the higher of their benefits or 50% of the higher earner’s benefits. However, the lower earning spouse must wait until he/she reaches FRA to take advantage of this approach. Retired couples in which one spouse did not work or who had low earnings have the most to gain from this technique.

A former spouse could be eligible to claim a spousal benefit under his/her ex-spouse’s record. The marriage must have lasted at least 10 years, the former spouse must be at least 62 years old and unmarried, and the former spouse’s benefits must be less than the ex-spouse’s benefits. The amount of benefits that an ex-spouse claims has no effect on the benefits the worker and his/her current spouse can receive.

Special rules for widows and widowers

Widows and widowers are entitled to the higher earner’s retirement benefits. Eligibility begins at age 60 or at age 50 if disabled. If the widow(er) is at FRA, the survivor benefits will be 100% of the higher earner’s benefits. If the widow(er) takes the benefits before FRA, the amount will be reduced. The surviving member of a dual-earning couple can also claim reduced benefits on one working record and then switch to the other at FRA.

Given the complexity of these options, it is crucial for retirees to carefully consider the best way to maximize their social security benefits before initiating benefits. If you would like more information on your own options, talk with your wealth manager or visit the Social Security Administration’s website at www.socialsecurity.gov.

By Stephen High, CPA, JD, PFS of Kraft Asset Management, an independent founding member of Bright Sky Group.

Download this article as a PDF

© 2011 Bright Sky Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

Bright Sky Group, LLC is not a registered investment adviser. The views expressed by Bright Sky Group represent the opinions of members of Bright Sky Group, but should not be construed as financial or investment advice. Further, the views are subject to change and are not intended as a forecast or guarantee of future results. The material provided by Bright Sky Group is for informational purposes only. Statements of future expectations, estimates or projections, and other forward looking statements are based on available information deemed reliable, but the accuracy of such information cannot be guaranteed. Statements are based on assumptions that may involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Bright Sky Group member firms are each registered investment advisers, which are owned and operated independently from each other. Bright Sky Group provides general financial information. The services, securities and financial instruments described by Bright Sky Group may not be available to or suitable for you, and not all strategies are appropriate at all times. The value and income of any of the securities or financial instruments mentioned herein can fall as well as rise, and an investor may get back less than he or she invested. Foreign-currency denominated securities and financial instruments are subject to fluctuations in exchange rates that could have a positive or adverse affect on the value, price or income of such securities and financial instruments. Independent advice should be sought for an investor’s specific needs. 
Subscribe to our site using RSS!

Recent Articles

Recommended Links

Get In Touch

Solutions for Wealth Management, LLC
1605 N. Convent
Bourbonnais, IL 60914
Phone (815) 935-6636
Fax (815) 935-0360
Email Us