Social Security Table » Personal Finance http://social-security-table.com Mon, 28 Dec 2009 03:53:48 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Social Security Myths http://social-security-table.com/social-security-myths/ http://social-security-table.com/social-security-myths/#comments Sun, 11 Oct 2009 14:54:12 +0000 admin http://social-security-table.com/social-security-myths/
Shelley Godra asked:


Social Security Myths

Written by Shelley Godra 

            Social Security was created to help finance US citizens after retirement.  A portion of every worker’s paycheck assists in funding the Social Security reserve.  Currently, these paycheck portions are creating a surplus in the reserve because there are more citizens employed than retired.  Some spectators believe that the Social Security fund will not be available to younger US citizens once they decide to retire.  Furthermore, some people believe this future crisis will be created by the retirement of the baby-boomers.

            These statements are not necessarily true.  The Social Security reserve might run out by the time I am ready for retirement; however, the cause cannot entirely be blamed upon the baby-boomers.  There are also several steps that can be taken in order for the Social Security reserve to still be used by my generation. 

            Current statistics show that the Social Security fund, if nothing is changed, will dry up by 2040.  There are several reasons for this dilemma, not just the baby-boomers retiring.  The government is using the funds from Social Security to pay other federal expenditures and budgets.  Thanks to medical advancements, US citizens are living longer and using more of the Social Security funds.  People are putting more emphasis on their careers and putting marriage and family on hold.  Since there are less children being born now, there will be less workers funding my Social Security once I am ready to retire.  The final reason is that more companies are outsourcing their employment positions and less US citizens are offered jobs.  Less offered jobs mean a smaller percentage funding the Social Security reserve.

            Like stated in the previous paragraph, the Social Security fund will run out if nothing is changed.  The first option is to change how Social Security is looked at now and how it will be treated once the baby-boomer generation retires.  Government could increase the age eligibility for retiring since people are living longer or could cease payments once a retiree reaches a certain age limit.  The percentage from the paychecks currently contributing could be increased, therefore, increasing the funds.  The government could be more lenient on its immigration restrictions; more immigrants would help to contribute more to the Social Security reserve.

            Changes in the government are not the only way to avoid this Social Security crisis.  Proper arrangements are needed for my generation in order to retire without dependency on monthly Social Security payments.  Citizens can make alternative retirement plans by investing in 401Ks and IRAs; this way people can take their own risks with their money.  Unfortunately, obesity and unhealthy lifestyles might lower the longevity of some in my generation.

            In conclusion, there is a future problem concerning Social Security, however, the problem is not fully caused by the baby-boomer generation.  Additionally, there are changes that can be made in order to avoid this problem.  Personally, I believe that there will be no government changes and the Social Security will indeed run out by 2040.  I have taken this burden onto myself by creating an alternative retirement plan.  I will be in charge of my retirement.



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]]> http://social-security-table.com/social-security-myths/feed/ 0 When to Take Social Security http://social-security-table.com/when-to-take-social-security/ http://social-security-table.com/when-to-take-social-security/#comments Tue, 01 Sep 2009 21:22:45 +0000 admin http://social-security-table.com/when-to-take-social-security/ Shelby Smith asked: social-security2

One of the most important retirement decisions facing most Americans is: WHEN TO START SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS. Conventional wisdom has always been “take it as early as possible — age 62″. Why? Several reasons are given: (a) it might not be there if you wait; (b) you can take the benefits and invest them and have more money later; (c) I might die early and never get a dime.

About three-fourths of Americans have heeded this advice and for most it was, or will prove to be, a big mistake. Why? There are several reasons: spousal benefits, higher benefits for delaying, penalties for starting early, penalties if you work while drawing benefits and are less than normal retirement age, and Social Security benefits get favorable income tax treatment.

Spousal benefits: If you qualify for Social Security benefits they will last the rest of your life — what’s more, if you’re married and your spouse is entitled to a lower amount, she/he will “step up” to the higher amount at your death. The spousal benefits say a spouse gets at least 50% (even if they paid zero into their Social Security account) of what the other spouse qualifies for AND the larger amount when the first spouse passes on. So by delaying your benefits your surviving spouse could get a bigger Social Security check every month for the rest of her/his life. Since “break-even” is about age 80 and joint life expectancy is closer to 90 for a married couple age 62, the odds of getting more are overwhelming. In fact, if Las Vegas gave the same odds you’d be booking reservations today.

For every year you delay taking Social Security benefits beyond age 62, your benefits grow between 7.5% and 8.0% annually PLUS a cost of living adjustment (COLA) based on inflation. In the past 30 years inflation has averaged over 3% annually…so your Social Security benefits will grow by over 10% a year. Where else can you get an investment backed by the U.S. Government and pay you over 10% annually? Stop looking, they don’t exist unless you want to take loads of risks. So if you are healthy, married and can afford to wait, postponing Social Security until age 70 will pay great dividends. Social Security will be there because with 50 million current getting benefits and another 76 million (the boomers) coming of age, politicians who vote to do away with Social Security will be unemployed.

If you start benefits at age 62 (the earliest time possible) you get about 25% less than if you wait until your normal retirement age (age 66 for most 62-year olds). This 25% less is for the rest of your life AND COLA is applied to a lower amount to compound the injury. Again, postponing make a great deal of sense.

If you start Social Security before normal retirement age and continue to work, your benefits will be reduced $1 for every $2 you make over about $13,000 annually. Yes, you’ll get this back later but when you consider taxes and the time value of money you’ll be worse off.

The big reason to delay is because Social Security benefits are taxed differently than other income: it is never 100% taxed and it is easy to manage the taxes on your Social Security benefits. PLUS, if taxes rise you’ll want to have as much of your retirement money in tax advantaged places (like larger SS benefits) as possible. Which way to you think income taxes are headed? Let’s see: record federal deficits, fighting terrorism, rebuilding our highways, bridges & infrastructures, an aging population, cleaning up the environment, etc. which must be financed by the federal government with income taxes. No doubt in my mind…how about you?

If you’d like to make sure you get Social Security right — and also take your qualified money (IRA, 401(k), 403(b), TSP, etc.) at the right time and use your other savings & investments wisely, I invite you to read my Guide to Social Security…and a Better Retirement by going to http://www.theretirementpros.com/eReport_Social_Security.php

You’ll have one chance to get Social Security right, so get all the info you can to make a good decision — most Americans haven’t and they’ll pay a lot more in taxes on their retirement money. Less money in retirement means less of a retirement. For more info on Retirement Planning, go to the Retirement Pros website at http://www.theretirementpros.com/

Caffeinated Content ]]> http://social-security-table.com/when-to-take-social-security/feed/ 0 Understand and Guard Your Social Security Number http://social-security-table.com/understand-and-guard-your-social-security-number/ http://social-security-table.com/understand-and-guard-your-social-security-number/#comments Mon, 11 May 2009 11:29:13 +0000 admin http://social-security-table.com/understand-and-guard-your-social-security-number/

Tyler Stanford asked:


Any person who works in the United States receives a unique Social Security number. This number is then required to do all sorts of transactions, from getting a bank account to getting a mortgage. New employers ask for the number, and it is an important part of getting a credit card.

Getting your social security number is a critical goal for identity thieves. They want it because it is one of the keys that unlock their ability to get credit cards and other debt instruments in your name.

So, everyone seems to know that the number is a secret which should be guarded, but how much do people actually know about it, and what is the right way to file a complaint against a business which is potentially compromising your identity.

The social security number system started in the mid-1930s as a way for the government to track the beneficiaries of its new social security retirement system. everyone was assigned a number. That number was the key to knowing how much the person had paid into the system, and it unlocked the payments paid to that person in retirement.

Ironically, the legislation that created the social security number specifically said that it would not become a national identification code. More recently, that sentiment has become laughable. Social security numbers are essentially national identification numbers within the United States.

There are a number of resources Americans can use to obtain information about their social security number.

First, they can check their credit reports frequently, to determine whether anyone is using their number. This can be done easily and for free once per year using the government’s Annual Credit Report system.

Second, they can contact the US Government. The Social Security Administration offers a statement which contains the person’s contributions to the system as well as the expected benefit at retirement.

Finally, several independent websites exist with more detailed information for a given social security number. One example is Social Security Numerology. This site provides information about specific Social Security numbers as well as links to useful sites, from the government to private companies, allowing users to find out more about their situations.

Clearly identity theft and the modern situation require a complete understanding of the social security system and your social security number.



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