Social Security Strategies for Retirement

Planning when and how to claim Social Security benefits is as personal as an individual investment strategy. Several factors should be considered, such as your life expectancy, how long you expect to work, income potentially produced by other assets, how many individuals your benefits must support and how much you expect your retirement lifestyle to cost annually.

These decisions are best discussed with an experienced financial advisor to help you determine the appropriate Social Security benefit strategy for your situation. We’re always here to help when you have any questions. The following are some basic strategies you may wish to consider as you develop your Social Security plan.

Claim Early

If you suffer from health problems and/or have a family history of shorter lifespans, you may want to claim Social Security benefits early. The earliest you may begin claiming them is at age 62.1

Work Longer

Benefits are determined based on your 35 highest-earning working years. If you had lower income for many of those years but are earning significant income now, you may wish to work longer to include these higher-earning years in your benefit calculation.2

Work Even Longer

People who enjoy their job, remain in good health and see no reason to retire earlier may accrue a significantly higher benefit by delaying Social Security until age 70. In fact, delaying benefits past normal retirement age (66 or 67, depending on when you were born) allows them to increase by up to 8 percent each year. By delaying until age 70, you could receive up to approximately 132 percent of the benefits you qualified for at your full retirement age. Note that your benefit earns delayed credits even if you stop working earlier and live off your own assets until age 70.3

If we can be of any assistance please give us a call at 801-990-5055.

Our firm assists retirees and pre-retirees in the creation of retirement strategies utilizing investment and insurance products. Advisory services offered through B.O.S.S. Retirement Advisors, a Registered Investment Advisory firm.. Insurance products and services offered through B.O.S.S. Retirement Solutions. Marketing materials provided by Infinity Marketing Services.

To see a list of services please visit us at bossretirement.com/services.

1 Social Security Administration. “Your Retirement Benefit: How It’s Figured.” https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10070.pdf. Accessed Sept. 11, 2018.

2 Ibid.

3 Social Security Administration. “Delayed Retirement Credits.” https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/delayret.html. Accessed Sept. 11, 2018.