Social Security Consultant Near Me
Social security consultants near me in St. Louis, MO. While it may be reassuring that The U.S. Government has a safety net for workers in retirement, retirement planning is still necessary to live the golden years you want. Knowledgeable Social Security consultants in St. Louis, MO will work with you, not just to maximize your Social Security benefits, but provide a holistic retirement plan that includes income from IRAs, 401(k)s, and other retirement funds. 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 retirement they always wanted.
According to the Social Security Administration's 2022 Fact Sheet, over a third of Americans receive 50% or more of their retirement income from Social Security. You must apply for the maximum benefits you are eligible for when you first file. 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 claim next year, call Correct Capital's St. Louis, MO Social Security consultants and fiduciary advisors today at 877-930-4015 or fill out our online form.
7 Ways to Increase Your Social Security Check in St. Louis, MO
While a retirement plan that truly allows you to live the golden years dreamed of will include money from employer-backed plans, IRAs, and other accounts, you'll still want to make sure you're getting the most out of Social Security. Below, we've listed seven tried-and-true methods for any worker to maximize their Social Security benefits:
- 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
According to a Schroders 2022 U.S. Retirement Survey, almost nine out of 10 non-retired Americans aged 45 and older understand that remaining in the workforce for longer will increase their check, yet only 11% are planning 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 are no longer working by 62, the first year you can apply for benefits, your retirement benefits would be diminished by 30%, and your spouse's by 35%. Retiring at up to age 70 would mean you receive delayed retirement benefits, which would increase your benefit 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 full retirement age
- $4,194 a month if you retire at 70
Obviously, you may prefer balancing your Social Security benefits with other life goals, such as spending more time with your St. Louis, MO family or finally visiting those dream vacation spots. But it's important to understand what retiring at what age will mean for your benefits, and to talk over with your financial advisor if it might be beneficial to retire later to increase your benefits.
2. Work at Least 35 Full Years
The Social Security Administration determines your monthly Social Security benefits using "average indexed monthly earnings" (AIME). AIME considers your 35 highest-earning years. If you are in the workforce for less than 35 years, the years you didn't receive an income will count as zeros. If you work more than 35 years, the years in which you earned the most will take the place of your lower earning years, boosting your Social Security income.
If you keep working in St. Louis, MO after you've started claiming benefits, those years also get added into your benefits calculation.
3. Earn More Money
While this is a no-brainer, it's also considerably helpful in increasing your benefits when you eventually retire. Making more money leads to both a higher AIME and more of your money going to Social Security taxes. Both of those factors help determine 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 AIME. In 2023, income over $160,200 will not be calculated.
4. Claim Spousal Benefits
If you and your spouse both received income, you can claim either 50% of the higher earners benefits or the full benefits of the other spouse, whichever the higher benefit is. Again, you will not get the full 50% of you retire before your full retirement age.
If your spouse is deceased, you're also eligible for survivor's benefits. You can elect for your survivor’s benefit at age 60 (although like retirement and spousal benefits, it will be reduced) and claim your own benefit down the road if that will be higher.
5. Avoid Paying Too Much in Social Security Taxes
Tax planning is an important part of any financial consideration, and that is no different in retirement. You may have to pay taxed if you started receiving Social Security in St. Louis, MO before your full retirement age and plan to continue working after you start claiming benefits. When figuring out how much your benefits will be taxed, the IRS has a formula that adds your nontaxable income, half your Social Security benefit, and your adjusted gross income.If that total is below $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 50% of your Social Security income will be subject to federal taxes. If your income is more than that, up to 85% of your benefit can be taxed.
Your Social Security income may also be subject to state taxes in Missouri.
Another factor to take into account is that if you keep working after you start receiving Social Security, you may accidentally bump yourself into a higher tax bracket.
6. Double-Check the Social Security Administration's Work
Each year, you receive a Social Security statement which how much income was recorded and the taxes you've paid into social security. Make sure all of your income for the year was recorded. 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. It's important for your highest earning years to be in the official recorded for when the administration computes your AIME.
7. Hire a Qualified St. Louis, MO Social Security Consultant
Professionals in any field usually know their area of practice the best, and many people in St. Louis, MO retirement planning and Social Security benefits themselves, whether because of time, know-how, or interest. With the day-to-day grind of our careers and our families, it can be easy to let something important like Social Security planning get forgotten among other things when it feels like it's years, or even decades, down the road. Correct Capital's group of St. Louis, MO Social Security consultants has the experience and knowledge necessary to help individuals, families, and business owners live out the retirement they always envisioned, and feel confident in their financial future. Our team is made up of award-winning advisors and a dedicated support staff, all with the experience, knowledge, and drive needed to deliver positive client experiences. Through prudent tax planning, active asset management, and other areas of expertise in St. Louis, MO 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 St. Louis, MO, check out Correct Capital's and Savology's free online retirement retirement planning tool, or make an appointment with a member of our team today.
Other services we offer in St. Louis, MO include:
- Retirement Plan Consultants
- 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 St. Louis, MO | Correct Capital Wealth Management
At Correct Capital, our St. Louis, MO Social Security consultants, financial advisors, and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals do more than just optimize your Social Security check. We create a comprehensive, tailored 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 St. Louis, MO.
