Making plans for retirement is something that everyone should do. Planning ahead and making accommodations for the future can allow you to live out your later years from a position of comfort. One major consideration to make is when to stop working and seek out Social Security benefits.
Social Security benefits in Georgia can form a major portion of your income after retirement. However, these payments will vary in amount based upon when you choose to accept them. In addition, the retirement age on which you can receive full benefits will change based upon your year of birth.
A seasoned attorney can help you to form a retirement plan that takes Social Security benefit payments into account. To learn more about how our dedicated team can help you plan for your future, reach out today.
The current Social Security retirement program has its roots in the 1935 Social Security Act. This set of laws intends to provide those who are no longer working with a minimum monthly income to cover their day-to-day needs.
Funding for this program comes from taxes that workers pay out of their checks. The Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) takes money from both workers and employers to create this pool of cash. Workers of a certain age then receive direct payments from the government. Keep in mind that these payments will only result if a worker makes consistent payments through FICA for a period of at least ten years.
Not all Social Security benefits are the same. Social Security has three separate programs that can provide payments to not just retired workers but also their spouses and children.
When most people imagine Social Security payments, they are thinking about the worker’s payments. These payments can start as soon as you reach the age of 62, although you may elect to wait until you are 70. In many cases, you may receive partial benefits if you choose to keep working before reaching the age of 70.
The spouses of workers may also be able to receive Social Security benefits. Under the law, a spouse of a worker who is eligible for payments can also receive benefits in the amount of either their personal benefits or their spouse’s payments, whichever is larger.
Social Security payments may also be possible for a worker’s spouses or children in the event of the worker’s death. This can come in the form of a one-time payment or continuing benefits if the recipient is an unmarried child under the age of 18.
Effective planning for the future requires a full analysis of your potential Social Security benefits. For example, you will need to consider whether you want to keep working after reaching the age of 62 or if an immediate retirement is a better option.
Many choose to wait until they reach the full retirement age (FRA.) You can find your FRA based on your birth year here. An experienced lawyer in Georgia can help to run the numbers for individuals and couples when determining how best to receive the full benefits under Social Security.
Evaluating the ways in which Georgia Social Security benefits will supply income is a key to all effective retirement planning. Depending upon the year of your birth and your current family status, these benefits can vary greatly in amount. In fact, many people choose to continue working while receiving partial benefits up to the age of 70.
Talking with a lawyer can help guide you to the decision that works best for you and your family. Our attorneys at Nelson Elder Care Law understand Social Security law and can help to estimate your benefits based on your projected date of retirement. Schedule a free consultation today to get started.
