Retirement Planning: A Primary Source of Money

By Doeren Mayhew

Americans greatly depend on just two major sources with regards to retirement income namely the Social Security and the Employer Pensions. However, most of these people won't be able to depend on these alone to render them income since Social Security benefits are becoming less and the number of employers who provide pensions are becoming few.

This is why personal savings are essential for this might be the only viable solution when it comes to retirement income.

A person is only eligible to receive social security benefits if he is consistent in his contributions amounting to that of at least 10 years. The amount of benefit is not the same for every individual. It is determined by the amount of your contribution and the age at which you choose to receive the benefits.

The good side about this is that the benefits are set to go up with inflation and the bad side is that your earnings in determining the benefits are capped. This just means that those who earn huge income will get less of their usual earnings compared to those whose income is below the level of cap.

In order to receive full benefits from your social security, you need to be on the right retirement age. The retirement age before is 65. However, actual required full retirement age is increasing for those born in 1938 or later. It reaches the ripe age of 67 for individuals born after 1959.

If you want to estimate the benefits, you can log on to the website of Social Security Administration at www.ssa.gov. Another way is to review the annual statement that will be sent by the SSA around three months prior to your birthday. If it has not arrived yet, then you can just request online.

Early vs. Late Acquisition of Benefits
You can choose to start getting your benefits even as early as 67. However, expect that you will receive fewer benefits compared to if you have waited for your actual and full retirement age to come first. For instance, 66 is your full retirement age and you decided getting your benefits by age 62. Then you will be receiving just around 75% of the amount you are supposed to have. For every month that you wait patiently for until you reach the actual age, your monthly benefits are set to increase. So in this example, by age 63, you will get about 80% of the actual amount.

On the other hand, if you decide to take the benefit years after your full retirement age, you will receive an increase in payment. Each year beyond your full retirement age equals an additional 8% per month. So, if your full retirement age is 66 and you choose to get your benefit at age 30, you will receive a monthly benefit of 132% of the amount you should have received had you starting getting the benefit at age 66.

Remember that if you will get the benefits earlier, you will be paying less and get more in the process. The reverse will happen if you will opt to delay in getting your benefits. So If you want the benefits to work to your advantage, you have to know when you are going to receive them.

Spousal benefits is also available
Even if your spouse does not have any earnings with Social Security, he or she will still get the benefits because of your record. Your children will also be eligible but this will depend on their age.

For your spouse, he or she will get 50% of your benefits once you have reached your retirement age. You will also lessen your spouse's benefit if you will get your benefits earlier.

Always remember that your spouse may be entitled to his or her own set of benefits as well. If this is the case, then he or she will surely be paid higher. - 23200

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This data is distributed for informational purposes only, with the understanding that Doeren Mayhew is not rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice or opinions and assumes no liability in connection with its use. Please contact Doeren Mayhew for more information.