Social Security was designed to supplement only pensions and retirement savings. But for many, that's no longer the case. Among beneficiaries 65 and older, 1 out of 5 married couples — and 2 out of 5 singles — receive at least 90 percent of their income from the program, according to the Social Security Administration. Living mostly on Social Security alone can be difficult. But here are tips for those near or in retirement who may find themselves in that situation. Delay Social Security Of course, if you're ailing and not likely to live many years in retirement, you're better off taking Social Security benefits early. But if you're healthy and have other resources to live off, it pays to wait. Your monthly payment will be 76 percent higher if you wait to start benefits at 70 rather than 62, the earliest possible age. By staying in your job longer or finding part-time work in retirement, you can earn a paycheck that can help you postpone drawing on Social Security benefits early. Do a Social Security do-over What if you took Social Security early and now regret it? It may not be too late. If you only recently filed for Social Security, you have up to 12 months to withdraw your application for a do-over. You must repay — without interest — all the benefits you received up to that point. But from then on, your benefit can grow until you're ready to file again. If the 12-month deadline has passed, you have another chance to boost your benefit. Once you reach your full retirement age — currently 66 — you can suspend your monthly payments without having to repay the money you already received. Thereafter, each year your payments are in suspension — until 70 — you will earn extra retirement credits that will enlarge your benefit by up to 8 percent annually. Eliminate debt If you are going to live mostly on Social Security, getting rid of high-interest-rate consumer debt, such as with credit cards, is something you should do before quitting your job. (For those already retired with credit card debt, at least make sure you're not adding to it.) Ideally, your mortgage also will be paid off before you quit working. "Mortgages are often the biggest payment that people make on a monthly basis," says Steven Thalheimer, a principal at Thalheimer Financial Planning in Silver Spring, Md. "If you don't have one, you have greater flexibility with your cash flow should something unexpected crop up." That said, if you still carry a mortgage but it's manageable on your retirement income, don't deplete what modest savings you have to pay off the house, says Robert Schmansky, founder of Clear Financial Advisors in Livonia, Mich. Read more here...
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The St. Lawrence County Chapter (SLCC) #2831 is a community of advocacy and volunteers whose purpose is to 1) promote at the local level the priorities, programs and policies specific for the benefit of our seniors, 2) maximize member engagement in a broad menu of services, information and educational activities, 3) demonstrate the contributions and potential of people who are 50+ to encourage their full participation in contemporary life, 4) create fundraising opportunities to achieve self-sufficiency, and 5) stimulate public interest in a variety of issues.
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November 2019
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