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When Should You Collect Social Security?

Writer: Jason Nowitzki, CRPCJason Nowitzki, CRPC

growing number of Americans have been forced to delay their planned retirement date due to job and savings losses suffered during the past five years. According to a survey, 40% of U.S. workers said they have resolved to retire later due to concerns about outliving their savings and fears of rising health care costs.1 Postponing retirement not only means working longer, but also delaying when you start collecting Social Security. Currently, workers can begin collecting Social Security as early as age 62 and as late as age 70. The longer you wait to start collecting, the higher your monthly payment will be. Your Social Security monthly payment is based on your earnings history and the age at which you begin collecting compared with your normal retirement age. This normal retirement age depends on the year you were born.


Year Born Normal Retirement Age

  • 1937 or earlier 65

  • 1938 65 and 2 months1939

  • 65 and 4 months

  • 1940 65 and 6 months

  • 1941 65 and 8 months

  • 1942 65 and 10 months

  • 1943-1954 66

  • 1955 66 and 2 months

  • 1956 66 and 4 months

  • 1957 66 and 6 months

  • 1958 66 and 8 months

  • 1959 66 and 10 months

  • 1960 or later 67

Those choosing to collect before their normal retirement age face a reduction in monthly payments by as much as 30%. What's more, there is a stiff penalty for anyone who collects early and earns wages in excess of an annual earnings limit ($14,160 in 2011).

For those opting to delay collecting until after their normal retirement age, monthly payments increase by an amount that varies based on the year you were born. For each month you delay retirement past your normal retirement age, your monthly benefit will increase between 0.29% per month for someone born in 1925, to 0.67% for someone born after 1942.

Which is right for you will depend upon your financial situation as well as your anticipated life expectancy. Anyone with a good pension or substantial savings may want to delay a bit. Similarly, if you're in no hurry to retire, you may want to continue working longer and collect later.

Likewise, those with a family history of longevity who expect to live a long time stand to gain more by delaying. If you think it unlikely to survive beyond age 78, you may want to start collecting at age 62. And if you expect to survive beyond age 82, you might consider a delayed collection.

Whenever you decide to begin collecting, keep in mind that Social Security represents only 38% of the average retiree's income.2 So you'll need to save and plan ahead -- regardless of whether you collect sooner or later.

Source/Disclaimer: 1Source: Towers Watson, October 2010. 2Source: Social Security Administration, "Fast Facts & Figures About Social Security," August 2011.

Because of the possibility of human or mechanical error by Wealth Management Systems Inc. or its sources, neither Wealth Management Systems Inc. nor its sources guarantees the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or availability of any information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information. In no event shall Wealth Management Systems Inc. be liable for any indirect, special or consequential damages in connection with subscriber's or others' use of the content. © 2016 DST Systems, Inc. Reproduction in whole or in part prohibited, except by permission. All rights reserved. Not responsible for any errors or omissions.

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The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. . The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security.

 

Securities Offered Through LPL Financial, Member FINRA & SIPC. Investment advice offered through HighPoint Advisor Group, a registered investment advisor. HighPoint Planning Partners and HighPoint Advisor Group are separate entities from LPL Financial.


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