Social Security: Help clients grab every last dollar of benefits
May 10, 2017 3:34 PM
When helping clients claim Social Security benefits, past planning strategies may act as the best guides.
Over the last several months, we published dozens of stories including insight from advisors and analysts on Social Security planning tips and strategies. Some of these include insight related to long-term funding issues, clients working abroad, evaluating the impact of taxes as well as tips for dealing with Gen X and millennial clients.
Click through the following slideshow for 10 Social Security tips to better navigate the landscape ahead.
Over the last several months, we published dozens of stories including insight from advisors and analysts on Social Security planning tips and strategies. Some of these include insight related to long-term funding issues, clients working abroad, evaluating the impact of taxes as well as tips for dealing with Gen X and millennial clients.
Click through the following slideshow for 10 Social Security tips to better navigate the landscape ahead.
Tips for claiming spousal benefits
One key feature of Social Security is the spousal benefit — a payment designed to provide retirement support for stay-at-home spouses in a single-income household. This strategy remains relevant for those clients who take time off from work to raise a family.
In order to claim a spousal benefit (50% of the working spouse’s primary insurance amount), whether as a current spouse or a divorced spouse, recipients must be both entitled and eligible for the benefit, according to Michael Kitces. One requirement advisors must consider is that a divorcee can only have ex-spouse’s spousal benefits as long as the divorcee remains unmarried, he writes. If the divorcee gets remarried, the ex’s spousal benefits will stop.
Read more:Social Security claiming strategies for divorcees
In order to claim a spousal benefit (50% of the working spouse’s primary insurance amount), whether as a current spouse or a divorced spouse, recipients must be both entitled and eligible for the benefit, according to Michael Kitces. One requirement advisors must consider is that a divorcee can only have ex-spouse’s spousal benefits as long as the divorcee remains unmarried, he writes. If the divorcee gets remarried, the ex’s spousal benefits will stop.
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The importance of efficient filing strategies
Your clients may face a number of pitfalls file for anything other than a straightforward Social Security claim on their own work record, especially if they’re filing for restricted benefits, survivor benefits only or family benefits, according to Paul Norr.
Clients are easily be misled by well-intentioned but uninformed SSA staff assistance, Norr writes.
Advisors must provide a thorough evaluation of their clients’ planning options to find the best strategy. Some tips include never letting your client file for Social Security benefits on their own, prepare to provide them with a backup option and watch for any conflicts with Medicare.
Clients are easily be misled by well-intentioned but uninformed SSA staff assistance, Norr writes.
Advisors must provide a thorough evaluation of their clients’ planning options to find the best strategy. Some tips include never letting your client file for Social Security benefits on their own, prepare to provide them with a backup option and watch for any conflicts with Medicare.
Changes to prevent a worst case scenario in Social Security
Despite its wide adoption by the baby boomer generation, a few small changes could make Social Security a strong program for Gen X and millennials, according to an expert.
Misconceptions around Social Security have been a part of societal norms for decades. Just to name a couple: The program will be overwhelmed as nearly 10,000 baby boomers retire every day. In this podcast, Brian Doherty, the former CEO of Key Investments and author of “Getting Paid to Wait,” explained some possible changes that could fix the program and what he considers a worst case scenario: political gridlock that could result in long-term funding issues.
One step the government can take is to increase the tax by 1.3 percentage points, “that in itself would shore up the system for the next 75 to 100 years – no benefit cuts,” Doherty says.
Podcast:Social Security is stronger than you think
Misconceptions around Social Security have been a part of societal norms for decades. Just to name a couple: The program will be overwhelmed as nearly 10,000 baby boomers retire every day. In this podcast, Brian Doherty, the former CEO of Key Investments and author of “Getting Paid to Wait,” explained some possible changes that could fix the program and what he considers a worst case scenario: political gridlock that could result in long-term funding issues.
One step the government can take is to increase the tax by 1.3 percentage points, “that in itself would shore up the system for the next 75 to 100 years – no benefit cuts,” Doherty says.
Podcast:
How maximizing deductions can backfire for the self-employed
Maximizing tax deductions isn’t always the right move when it comes to Social Security benefits, according to one CFP.
“Paying as little as possible is a national pastime,” says Tom Fredrickson, a planner for Fredrickson Financial Planning. “In some cases, the strategy can backfire in terms of the Social Security income you’ll receive in return.”
For instance, every dollar made by the self-employed, after business-related deductions, is subject to a 15.3 % tax on Medicare and Social Security benefits.
Read more:Maximizing deductions can backfire for the self-employed
“Paying as little as possible is a national pastime,” says Tom Fredrickson, a planner for Fredrickson Financial Planning. “In some cases, the strategy can backfire in terms of the Social Security income you’ll receive in return.”
For instance, every dollar made by the self-employed, after business-related deductions, is subject to a 15.3 % tax on Medicare and Social Security benefits.
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Why springing early to withdraw isn't necessarily a bad thing
While most commentary leads us to believe that drawing Social Security early rather than delaying is the most prudent move, this may not be the case for many retirees.
There are two primary instances where drawing early can benefit clients, according to Bobby Feldman, managing director and partner at Snowden Lane in Pittsburgh. First, client lifespans aren't guaranteed. Most retirees know the future can be uncertain, so why should they think of retirement any differently?
Second, clients are more likely to use the money more now, argues Feldman. Leisure funds are generally spent more liberally during early retirement. As they age, clients will naturally slow down and have lower expenses.
It's important to consider the value of a client's life, more than merely digits in an account, Feldman says.
Read more:In defense of drawing Social Security benefits early
There are two primary instances where drawing early can benefit clients, according to Bobby Feldman, managing director and partner at Snowden Lane in Pittsburgh. First, client lifespans aren't guaranteed. Most retirees know the future can be uncertain, so why should they think of retirement any differently?
Second, clients are more likely to use the money more now, argues Feldman. Leisure funds are generally spent more liberally during early retirement. As they age, clients will naturally slow down and have lower expenses.
It's important to consider the value of a client's life, more than merely digits in an account, Feldman says.
Read more:
How working abroad can cause Social Security trouble
If a client has lived in a foreign country for an extended period of time, paying Social Security taxes may become more complicated.
While it's great that the foreign earned income exclusion means Americans abroad won't pay income taxes on their first $101,300, it only applies to federal income tax — not Medicare, self-employment taxes or Social Security. Advisors working with expatriate clients should be careful to ask them the right questions.
Read more:Working abroad can cause thorny Social Security issues
While it's great that the foreign earned income exclusion means Americans abroad won't pay income taxes on their first $101,300, it only applies to federal income tax — not Medicare, self-employment taxes or Social Security. Advisors working with expatriate clients should be careful to ask them the right questions.
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Give clients the option to take a Social Security mulligan
Clients do have the option to change their minds about receiving benefits — and advisoirs should let them know.
There are two big caveats, however: That window of opportunity is only the first 12 months after initially filing for benefits and they must pay back all the money they received up to that point.
This option can be particularly helpful for clients where a higher-earning spouse found a job after retiring. If they can delay their benefits as long as possible, they can wind up with a higher spousal benefit and survivor benefit. That said, requesting a mulligan really should be carefully considered first.
Read more:Taking a Social Security mulligan
There are two big caveats, however: That window of opportunity is only the first 12 months after initially filing for benefits and they must pay back all the money they received up to that point.
This option can be particularly helpful for clients where a higher-earning spouse found a job after retiring. If they can delay their benefits as long as possible, they can wind up with a higher spousal benefit and survivor benefit. That said, requesting a mulligan really should be carefully considered first.
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Mitigating clients' behavioral biases about Social Security
The principles of behavioral finance aren't limited to investment strategies — they can apply equally well to Social Security planning.
Advisors need to be wary of psychological biases that can sway theirclients’ decision-making, according to two experts on Financial Planning's "How to guide clients on optimizing their Social Security benefits webinar." Especially when it comes to pushing clients to wait until full retirement age.
Read more:How to mitigate behavioral biases about Social Security
Advisors need to be wary of psychological biases that can sway theirclients’ decision-making, according to two experts on Financial Planning's "How to guide clients on optimizing their Social Security benefits webinar." Especially when it comes to pushing clients to wait until full retirement age.
Read more:
Fixing Social Security
Social security is in trouble, but how much?
It looks like it will still be around for a long time, Brian Doherty says. " Still, its long-term function may be in quite a bit of trouble.
The solution is straightforward but not easy to undertake.
Read more:A fix for Social Security
It looks like it will still be around for a long time, Brian Doherty says. " Still, its long-term function may be in quite a bit of trouble.
The solution is straightforward but not easy to undertake.
Read more:
