Full retirement age
Ask Rusty – Can My Wife and I get Spouse Benefits from each other?
Dear Rusty: My wife and I are currently collecting Social Security. We both started receiving SS at 62 years old. That said, we get by on a tight budget. A retired friend told us about an option which allows a…
About Seniors and Social Security Disability
In this very informative article, a former Social Security employee discusses Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, and draws a comparison between another disability program known as SSI (Supplemental Security Insurance). The former is a program available to all working…
About not paying income tax on Social Security Benefits
President Trump has suggested that seniors should not have to pay income tax on their Social Security benefits, and (obviously) most seniors would agree. Some studies say that eliminating income tax on Social Security benefits would provide a welcome $3,000…
A Primer on Collecting Social Security Benefits
You can start collecting Social Security benefits at 62, but it will be 30% lower than if you waited until your Full Retirement Age. For anyone born in 1960 or later your Full Retirement Age is 67. On the other…
The Importance of your Full Retirement Age to your Social Security retirement benefit
Each year, the Social Security Administration changes some rules affecting your benefits, so knowing the changes goes a long way toward choosing when to claim Social Security. Your “full retirement age” – which is when you get 100% of the…
New Proposal Raises Retirement Age
The Brookings Institution released a proposal for Social Security reform that includes raising the Full Retirement Age for high earners and taxing all Social Security benefits with adjusted gross incomes above $100,000 for individuals and $125,000 for couples. Melanie Waddell…
When to Claim – That is the Question !
You are eligible for Social Security payments starting the full month you are age 62, providing you have worked and received the necessary credits. Social Security benefits can be claimed anytime between age 62 and age 70. At your Full…
Is There a “Best” Age to take Social Security benefits?
There are many perspectives on this question. Here at the AMAC Foundation, we tell people to consider their finances, health and family longevity when making the decision. The hard part of this is that no one knows when they will…
Boosting Your Monthly Social Security Benefit Payment
Getting the highest benefit payment you’re entitled to is a legitimate goal for seniors in their retirement financial planning, but how do you do that? Well, one of the most obvious steps is to defer claiming benefits as long as…
Ask Rusty – About When to Claim Social Security and Taxation of Benefits
Dear Rusty: I am 65 and currently working full-time. Can I apply for and start receiving my Social Security benefit? I’d expect to have to pay income tax on it if/when I do. Signed: Curious Worker Dear Curious Worker: If…