Social Security Consultant Near Me
Social security consultants near me in O'Fallon, IL. While it may be reassuring that the federal government has a safety net for us after we've left the workforce, retirement planning is still necessary to live the retirement you want. Dedicated Social Security consultants in O'Fallon, IL can help you not just maximize your Social Security benefits, but design a comprehensive retirement plan that can help ensure your money is optimally positioned for growth and long-term stability. At Correct Capital Wealth Management, we get to know our clients personally and come up with a plan they're involved in so they can live out the golden years they always wanted.
According to the Social Security Administration's 2022 Fact Sheet, Social Security represents about 30% of income for the elderly. When you claim Social Security, you only have one chance to claim the most amount of benefits you are eligible for. Whether you're planning for decades into the future, or just need someone to look over your plan to ensure you're set up to get your full benefits for when you apply next year, call Correct Capital's O'Fallon, IL Social Security consultants and fiduciary advisors today at 877-930-4015 or contact us online.
7 Ways to Maximize Your Social Security Benefits in O'Fallon, IL
While an optimal retirement plan will consist of money from employer-backed plans, IRAs, and other accounts, it's still important to make sure you're getting everything you can when it comes to your Social Security benefits. Below, you'll find seven tried-and-true strategies for any retiree to get the most out of their income from Social Security:
- Wait to Claim Benefits
- Work at Least 35 Full Years
- Earn More Money
- Claim Spousal Benefits
- Avoid Social Security Taxes
- Double-Check the Social Security Administration's Work
- Hire a Qualified Social Security Consultant
1. Wait to Claim Benefits
A Schroders 2022 U.S. Retirement Survey reported that almost 90% of Americans who are still working who are 45 and up are aware that remaining in the workforce for longer will increase their benefits, yet only just above 10% plan to wait until age 70.
Pursuant to the Social Security Amendments of 1983, if you were born in 1960 or later your full retirement age is 67. If you leave the workforce at 62, the earliest you can apply for benefits, your payout would be lowered by 30%, and your spouse's by 35%. Retiring at up to age 70 would mean you are eligible for delayed retirement benefits, which would increase your checks by around 77% compared to age 62.
The maximum benefits for people who claim at 62, 67, and 70 in 2022 are:
- $2,364 a month if you retire at 62
- $3,345 a month if you retire at 70
- $4,194 a month if you retire at 70
Of course, you may prefer balancing your Social Security benefits with other things you want to do in retirement, such as spending more time with your O'Fallon, IL family or finally spending more time at that timeshare in Aspen. But you still need to understand what retiring at what age will mean for your benefits, and to think about, as a team with your financial advisor, if it's worth holding out for a few extra years to increase your benefits.
2. Work at Least 35 Full Years
The Social Security Administration determines how much you'll receive for your benefits by using "average indexed monthly earnings" (AIME). AIME calculates your benefits based on the 35 years you made the most money. If you you leave the workforce before you worked for 35 years, the years you didn't receive an income count for nothing. If you have more than 35 years of recorded income, the years in which you earned the most will take the place of your lower earning years, boosting your benefit.
If you remain in the O'Fallon, IL workforce after you've started receiving Social Security, those years will count towards your AIME once you start claiming full benefits.
3. Earn More Money
While this is what most of us strive for anyway, it's also one of the biggest things you can do now in order to increase your benefits in the future. Higher income leads to both a higher AIME and more of your money going to Social Security taxes. Both of those factors help calculate whether you can get the maximum retirement benefit. So, if you needed more motivation to seek raises or better-paying jobs, now you have it. However, the SSA places a cap on how much income can count towards your benefits. In 2023, income over $160,200 will not be calculated.
4. Claim Spousal Benefits
If you and your spouse both received income, the spouse with lower earnings can claim their own Social Security benefits, or up to 50% of the higher earner's benefits, whichever the higher benefit is. Again, you will not get the full 50% of you claim benefits before your full retirement age.
If your spouse is deceased, you're also eligible for survivor's benefits. You can start claiming that benefit at age 60 (which will also be reduced because it's not at full retirement age) and later elect for your benefit if that will be higher.
5. Avoid Paying Too Much in Social Security Taxes
Tax planning is important throughout our financial lives, including once we retire. There will be tax consequences if you started receiving Social Security in O'Fallon, IL early and keep working. When figuring out how much your benefits will be taxed, the IRS has a formula that adds your nontaxable income, 50% of your Social Security benefit, and your adjusted gross income.If that sum is under $25,000 for individuals or $32,000 for joint filers, you will not pay federal tax on your Social Security. Between $25,000 and $34,000 for individuals and $32,000 and $44,000 for joint filers, up to half your Social Security income can be taxed by the federal government. If your income is more than that, up to 85% of your Social Security income can be subject to taxes.
While not every state may tax Social Security, 12 states (including Missouri) may tax your Social Security benefits.
Similarly, if you keep working after claiming benefits, you could unintentionally make yourself have to pay more in income tax.
6. Double-Check the Social Security Administration's Work
The SSA creates your personal Social Security statement statement every year, which details your income and how much you paid in Social Security taxes. Check the Social Security Administration's work against your W2, pay stubs, or tax returns. You'll want to make sure you're getting credit for the Social Security taxes you've paid, and that all of your income is recorded. You'll want the years for the highest income to be recorded for when the administration computes your benefits.
7. Hire a Qualified O'Fallon, IL Social Security Consultant
It's hard to replace the expertise of any professional in a given field, and many workers in O'Fallon, IL retirement planning and Social Security benefits themselves, whether because of time, know-how, or interest. With large portions of our everyday lives spent on our careers and our families, it's not hard to forget about Social Security planning when it's still years or decades until you'll claim. Correct Capital's team of O'Fallon, IL Social Security consultants has over 75 years of combined experience helping individuals, families, and business owners live out the golden years of their dreams, and have peace of mind about their financial future. Our team is comprised of award-winning advisors and a dedicated support staff, all with the experience, knowledge, and drive needed to deliver positive client experiences. Through careful tax planning, active asset management, and other services in O'Fallon, IL such as 401(k) rollover, we'll do our part to give you a financially secure and happy retirement.
For more assistance with retirement planning in O'Fallon, IL, check out Correct Capital's and Savology's free online retirement retirement planning tool, or schedule a get-to-know-you call with one of our advisors today.
Other services we offer in O'Fallon, IL include:
- Succession Planning
- Fiduciary Financial Advisor
- Company 401(k) Plans
- ESOP Advisor
- Self-Employed Retirement Plans
- 401(k) For Small Business
- Small Business Retirement Plans
- Tax Planning
Social Security Consultants Near Me in O'Fallon, IL | Correct Capital Wealth Management
At Correct Capital, our O'Fallon, IL Social Security consultants, financial advisors, and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals are capable of much more than just getting you the maximum Social Security pay out. We create an exhaustive, personalized financial plan for you to ensure your own retirement savings are best positioned for long-term growth and stability. Get in touch with Correct Capital today at 877-930-4015 or contact us online for dependable, experienced, and trustworthy Social Security consultants in O'Fallon, IL.
