An Email Scam Going Around

We’ve previously discussed different types of scams you should be looking out for. This week, we wanted to bring yet another one to your attention. You might get an email claiming to be from someone with the Social Security Administration, a message along the lines of “Due to suspicious illegal activity detected during our investigation, we’ve found it necessary to temporarily suspend your Social Security Number.” Following this may be a Case ID number with the letters “SSA” preceding a series of numbers, and then an attached letter that appears to be on Social Security Letterhead.  Emails like this are,

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Social security retirement benefits

How Much Can You Earn and Still Get Your SS Benefits?

Let’s start by explaining that when you begin receiving Social Security retirement benefits, you are considered officially “retired” by the Social Security Administration (SSA). You can receive Social Security checks and still work at the same time. However, since you are now “retired” there is a limit to how much you can earn and still receive full benefits.  If you are younger than full retirement age, and earn more than the yearly earnings limit, the SSA may reduce your benefit amount. If you are under full retirement age for the entire year, they deduct $1 from your benefit payments for

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saver

What Every Saver Needs to Know

This week’s article focuses on the fact that while “everyone’s retirement is different, 2022 is going to have some big differences from 2021 that will affect almost every retiree and retirement saver to some degree.” The article explains the specifics of what those differences are, including: Higher social security payouts Higher standard deductions for your federal income taxes A rise in Medicare premiums Changes to social security payroll taxes and estate exclusions Changes to retirement plan distributions and contributions Contact us if you’re a retiree or retirement saver who thinks these changes will have you rethinking your retirement strategies: (949)

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Social Security Tax

How is Social Security Taxed? 

With tax season approaching, some of you have asked if the social security payments you receive are taxed. The answer is yes, if your annual income is above a certain amount when you’re receiving those payments. And because that income threshold is relatively low, it’s likely that some of your benefits will be taxed. The percentage of tax is calculated off of your combined income if married and filing jointly, or as a single filer. The question then becomes: What is combined income? Combined income includes your adjusted gross income, nontaxable interest, and one-half of your annual Social Security benefits.

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Social Security

Social Security Survivor Benefit

We are often asked, “When is the best time for a widow or widower to collect the social security survivor benefits, they have become entitled to?” If you or someone you know have questions about this, we may be able to help. There is a process of applying for those benefits, and we can help educate you on the information you need to gather. Determining the best timing for you to begin to collect is very important. We recognize that it’s likely already a stressful time for you, and want you to know that we’re here to help. Schedule a

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Saving Vs. Spending

This week’s article asks the question, “When do you stop saving and start enjoying the fruits of your labor?” We could help you understand at what age you can start to transition from saver to spender. It could mean the difference between: A retirement of constant penny-pinching and being stuck in saving mode. A retirement that includes vacations, seeing your friends & family, and allowing yourself to ENJOY your retirement full of valuable experiences. The article explains, “You’ve done all the right things—financially speaking, at least—in saving for retirement. You started saving early to take advantage of the power of

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Is Your Social Security Check Going to be Enough For You?

Whether you’re recently retired, nearing retirement, or a few years in, an annuity can help build tax-deferred savings. Why is that important? Annuities can provide a guaranteed lifetime income to supplement your social security. According to a Gallup poll, 85% of investors “strongly agree that it’s important to have a guaranteed income stream in retirement to supplement Social Security” and 61% strongly or somewhat agree they are willing to give up access to some money in order to provide for a guaranteed retirement income stream.” If you’re nervous that your social security check won’t be enough for you during retirement,

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social security check

Did you know?

Did you know that 40.2% of older Americans have Social Security as their only income?* We believe in supplementing your retirement with additional income you can’t outlive. Call us if you are interested in learning more about a product that provides this. Protect your principal from market losses, and generate a lifetime income. We’re always here to help.  *National Institute on Retirement Security, “Examining the Nest Egg: The Sources of Retirement Income for Older Americans,” January 2020

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outliving your retirement

The Stanford Longevity Project Looks at Annuities

This week’s article references a topic we have been reflecting on over the past few months and that is the understanding that “retirees face a number of challenges to their financial security, including living longer and facing the danger of depleting their savings too soon. The pandemic has further threatened retirement nest eggs, as a growing number of people have needed to take Social Security benefits early, before full retirement age, thus reducing those payments in the long run.” You may be interested in a study by Principal Financial Group in conjunction with the Stanford Longevity Project that discusses these

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Claiming Social Security

Marshmallows and Social Security

I thought you would enjoy this week’s article as it explains the old “marshmallow test” in answering the question of “should US retirees delay claiming Social Security until age 70, even if they have to spend savings until then?” You may ask “What do Social Security benefits and marshmallows have in common? When placed squarely in front of most people, both are hard to resist.” “Almost everyone knows about the famous “marshmallow test.” In the late 1960s, Dr. Walter Mischel of Stanford put marshmallows under the noses of preschoolers and asked them to wait 15 minutes before popping them in

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