Social Security Benefits in Marietta

For most of our adult lives, we work to ensure that we can spend our senior years in comfort and stability. A major part of our financial solvency in later life is Social Security benefits. These can form a substantial portion of your monthly income.

It is important to understand that not every Social Security retirement plan is the same. Depending on your work history and when you choose to retire, these payments can differ significantly in amount. In addition, your birth year will also determine your eligibility for full benefits. Consulting with an elder law attorney about Social Security benefits in Marietta can provide you with greater insight into these payments and when retirement might be the right choice for you.

Age and Social Security Benefits

All Americans have the right to receive Social Security payments upon reaching an advanced age. However, people seeking to receive the maximum benefit amount will need to consider their current age and their birth year.

All people currently aged 67 years or more can immediately retire and receive full benefits. This applies regardless of their year of birth. For those born in 1957, the full retirement age is 66.6. People born before 1938 enjoy the greatest flexibility under these plans. They can demand full payments upon retirement as long as they are at least 65 years old. Talking with a Marietta lawyer could help you to better understand how your current age determines your eligibility for full Social Security benefits.

Not All Social Security Benefits are Alike

People often assume that only former workers can receive Social Security benefits. But in fact, even a worker’s spouse and children may be eligible to receive compensation.

The core Social Security benefit goes to retired workers. People are eligible to receive these payments once they reach the age of 62. Still, many people choose to keep working until age 70 to receive partial payments in addition to their normal wages.

Spousal benefits may also be the result of a worker’s long years on the job. Spouses who themselves have worked can receive Social Security benefits in the amount of either their earned payments or their spouse’s, whichever is larger.

Finally, both a worker’s spouse and children and may receive benefits if a worker passes away. Here, a spouse can receive a one-time payment, and children can receive continuing benefits up until they reach 18 years of age. Speaking with an attorney in Marietta can help you to better understand how Social Security benefits work and who may stand to receive payments.

Get in Touch with a Marietta Attorney to Discuss Social Security Benefits

Effective financial planning should take Social Security benefits into account. For workers, this means determining when you will reach the maximum benefit retirement age and whether retiring early makes sense for you. For spouses, it means evaluating current potential payments and agreeing with a spouse about your retirement ages.

Working with an attorney can be the first step in the right direction. They can provide more information about Social Security benefits in Marietta, when they will have their maximum effect, and who stands to collect payments. Reach out now to get started.