Social Security is a key part of a retirement financial plan, but you need to take proactive measures to make sure you maximize your benefit.
Here’s a checklist of five steps to take before filing for Social Security.
1. Check your earnings statement
The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses your lifetime earnings to determine what your benefit will be. Your lifetime earnings are an average of up to 35 years of your earnings. If you didn’t work 35 years, any years you didn’t work will be counted as zeros. And each of your high-earning years replaces a lower one. Higher lifetime earnings can result in higher benefits. You want to make sure your earnings statement is accurate.
You can review your statement by creating an account via the Administration’s website (or request it via the mail). The statement will include information such as your earnings per year. Use your tax forms to determine whether the information is accurate. You can request changes online or by phone. You typically have three years, three months and 15 days from the end of the taxable year in which your wages were paid to request a correction.
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2. Run claiming scenarios
While you can get your full Social Security benefit once you hit your full retirement age — which is between age 66 and 67, depending on when you were born — for every year you delay receiving Social Security benefits beyond full retirement age up to age 70, your benefit grows by 8%.
The SSA has tools and calculators that can help you determine how much you will receive in benefits based on when you tap into the program, including the advantage of waiting instead of claiming benefits right now. Knowing this number and calculating your living expenses can help you gauge if now is the right time to take out Social Security.
3. Coordinate with your spouse
If you have a spouse, you should coordinate how you will both approach Social Security for maximum household benefits. If you’re married, you can claim Social Security based on your own work record or up to 50% of your spouse’s at full retirement age. Depending on the difference between your earnings and your spouse’s, it may make sense for one of you to claim the spousal benefit.
It may make also sense for one spouse to claim their Social Security benefits and the other to delay their benefits. You’ll want to carefully consider the options with your spouse.
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4. Plan for taxes
Social Security is taxable on up to 85% of your Social Security benefits, depending on your income. Exactly how much you’ll have to pay in federal taxes on Social Security depends on your “combined income,” which includes your adjusted gross income, tax-exempt interest income and half of your Social Security benefits.
It’s important to understand what tax bracket you’re in and how much you’ll owe on Social Security taxes, and to set aside money for those taxes.
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5. Prepare your application
You can apply for Social Security up to four months before you want to receive your first payment.
The SSA will ask for specific documents, such as your tax return and birth certificate or other proof of your age. Make sure to gather all the necessary documents before sitting down to apply.
