It's Never Too Early to Plan for Your Retirement
A secure, comfortable retirement is every person’s dream. Since we're living longer, healthier lives, we can expect to spend more time in retirement than our parents and grandparents did. Achieving the dream of a secure, comfortable retirement is much easier when you plan your finances accordingly.
Social Security Retirement Planning can help you now
A good place to start thinking about planning for your retirement is to consider ways to optimize your Social Security benefits. A session with a Registered Social Security Analyst (RSSA®) can help you think through this phase of your life. They will point out things you may want to consider as you prepare for the future. During this meeting you will:
- Learn about Social Security programs
- Find out what happens if you work after you retire or if you are already a Medicare Beneficiary
- Learn how certain types of earnings and pensions can affect your benefits
- Discover your retirement options
- Get information about how members of your family may qualify for benefits
An RSSA® offers specialized services that works with individuals to maximize their Social Security benefits, ensuring they receive every dollar they've earned and are entitled to. Many individuals may not realize the significant additional benefits they could claim if they strategize their filings effectively. Expertise lies in identifying these opportunities and guiding beneficiaries through the process tailored to their specific circumstances.
Whether single, married, divorced, widowed, or self-employed, understanding the nuances of Social Security regulations can be complex. That's where RSSAs® come in. They analyze historical earnings records, taking into account factors such as marital status, age, and employment history, to devise personalized strategies for maximizing benefits.
For instance, for married couples there are strategies like "file and suspend" or "claim now, claim more later" that can significantly boost lifetime benefits. Divorced individuals may be entitled to benefits based on their ex-spouse's earnings record. Widows and widowers have their own set of rules for claiming survivor benefits. Even self-employed individuals have unique considerations when it comes to Social Security.