EFC - Social Security Decisions

In 2019, the maximum payout for any beneficiary retiring at FRA was $2,861 per month.3

TIMING YOUR BENEFIT DISTRIBUTIONS Full retirement age (referred to as FRA) is age 66 for anyone born between 1943 and 1954. Beginning with those born in 1955, an additional two months is added to the full retirement age each year through 1959. If you were born in 1960 or later, full retirement age is 67. You may begin taking benefits starting at age 62, but they will be permanently reduced. Covered workers need 40 credits to be eligible for their own benefit, which works out to about 10 years of work history. Your benefit is calculated based on your average earnings over the highest-earning 35 years. Working up to full retirement age may increase your benefit while at the same time any contributions you continue to make to a 401(k) plan and/or investment portfolio will have more time to potentially accrue higher gains. If you begin drawing benefits before full retirement age, they are reduced as shown in the accompanying table.4

FULL RETIREMENT AND AGE 62 BENEFIT BY YEAR OF BIRTH

At Age 62 3

A $1,000 retirement be reduced to

The retirement reduced by 4

The spouse’s reduced by

A $500 spouse’s be reduced to

Months between age 62 and full retirement age 2

Full (normal) retirement age

Year of Birth 1

$375

1937 or earlier6

53

6$

800

20.00 %

25.00 %

1938

65 and 2 months 38

$791

$370

20.83 %

25.83 %

1939

65 and 4 months 40

$783

$366

21.67 %

26.67 %

1940

65 and 6 months 42

$775

$362

22.50 %

27.50 %

1941

65 and 8 months 44

$766

$358

23.33 %

28.33 %

1942

65 and 10 months4 6$

758

$354

24.17 %

29.17 %

1943-19546

64

8$

750

$350

25.00 %

30.00 %

1955

66 and 2 months 50

$741

$345

25.83 %

30.83 %

1956

66 and 4 months 52

$733

$341

26.67 %

31.67 %

1957

66 and 6 months 54

$725

$337

27.50 %

32.50 %

1958

66 and 8 months 56

$716

$333

28.33 %

33.33 %

1959

66 and 10 months5 8$

708

$329

29.17 %

34.17 %

1960 and later

67

60

$700

$325

30.00 %

35.00 %

:3: This document is designed to provide general information on the subjects covered. It is not, however, intended to provide specific legal or tax advice and cannot be used to avoid tax penalties or to promote, market or recommend any tax plan or arrangement. Individuals are encouraged to consult with a qualified professional before making any decisions about their personal situation. This content is not endorsed by the Social Security Administration, and our firm is not affiliated with the United States government or any other governmental agency. 1. If you were born on Jan. 1, you should refer to the previous year. 2. If you were born on the first of the month, SSA figures your benefit (and full retirement age) as if your birthday was in the previous month. If you were born on Jan. 1, SSA figures your benefit as if your birthday was in December of the previous year. 3. You must be at least 62 years old for the entire month to receive benefits. 4. Percentages are approximate due to rounding. 5. The maximum benefit for the spouse is 50% of the benefit the worker would receive at full retirement age. The percentage reduction for the spouse should be applied after the automatic 50% reduction. Percentages are approximate due to rounding. 3 Social Security Administration. August 2019. “Fast Facts & Figures About Social Security, 2019.” https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/chartbooks/fast_ facts/2019/fast_facts19.pdf. Accessed Feb. 29, 2020. 4 Social Security Administration. “Retirement Planner: Benefits By Year of Birth.” https://www.socialsecurity.gov/planners/retire/agereduction.html. Accessed Feb. 29, 2020. This document is designed to provide general information on the subjects covered. It is not, however, intended to provide specific legal or tax advice and cannot be used to avoid tax penalties or to promote, market or recommend any tax plan or arrangement. Individuals are encouraged to consult with a qualified professional before making any decisions about their personal situation. This content is not endorsed by the Social Security Administration, and our firm is not affiliated with the United States government or any other governmental agency.

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