Tag: Social Security

Social Security: The Elephant in the Room

December 28, 2020
Social Security

For most Americans, Social Security has represented nothing more than some unavoidable payroll deduction with the positively cryptic initials of “FICA” and “OASDI” (Federal Insurance Contributions Act and Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance). It hinted at a future that seemed both intangible and faraway.

Yet, many Americans now sit on the cusp of drawing on the promise that was made with those payments.

As the growing wave of citizens approach retirement, questions and concerns abound. Is Social Security financially healthy? How much will my income benefit be? How do I maximize my benefits for me and my spouse? When should I begin taking Social Security?

Questions & Elephants

Answering these questions may help you derive the most from your Social Security benefit, and potentially enhance your financial security in retirement. Before you can answer these questions, you have to acknowledge the elephant in the room.

The Social Security system has undergone periodic scares over the years that has inevitably led many people to wonder if Social Security will remain financially sound enough to pay the benefits they are owed.

Reasonable Concern

Social Security was created in 1935 during Franklin D. Roosevelt’s first term. It was designed to provide income to older Americans who had little to no means of support. The country was mired in an economic downturn and the need for such support was acute.¹

Since its creation, there have been three basic developments that have led to the financial challenges Social Security faces today.

The number of workers paying into the system (which supports current benefit payments) has fallen from just over 8 workers for every retiree in 1955 to 3.3 in 2005. That ratio is expected to fall to 2.1 to 1 by 2040.²
A program that began as a dedicated retirement benefit later morphed into income support for disabled workers and surviving family members. These added obligations were not always matched with the necessary payroll deduction levels to financially support these additional objectives.
Retirees are living longer. As might be expected, the march of medical technology and our understanding of healthy behaviors have led to a longer retirement span, potentially placing a greater strain on resources.

Beginning in 2010, tax and other noninterest income no longer fully covered the program’s cost. According to the Social Security Trustees 2014 annual report, this pattern is expected to continue for the next 75 years; the report projects that the trust fund may be exhausted by 2040, absent any changes.³

Social Security’s financial crisis is real, but the prospect of its failure seems remote. There are a number of ways to stabilize the Social Security system, including, but not limited to:

Increase Payroll Taxes: An increase in payroll taxes, depending on the size, could add years of life to the trust fund.⁴
Raise the Retirement Age: This has already been done in past reforms and would save money by paying benefits to future recipients at a later age.
Tax Benefits of Higher Earners: By taxing Social Security income for retirees in higher tax brackets, the tax revenue could be used to lengthen the life of the trust fund.
Modify Inflation Adjustments: Rather than raise benefits in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI), policymakers might elect to tie future benefit increases to the “chained CPI,” which assumes that individuals move to cheaper alternatives in the face of rising costs. Using the “chained CPI” may make cost of living adjustments less expensive.

Reform is expected to be difficult since it may involve tough choices—something from which many policymakers often retreat. However, history has shown that political leaders tend to act when the consequences of inaction exceed those taking action.

To learn more about CapSouth Wealth Management, visit our website at www.capsouthwm.com

1. Social Security Administration, 2020
2. Social Security Administration, 2020
3. Social Security Administration, 2020
4. Social Security Administration, 2020

The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG, LLC, is not affiliated with CapSouth Wealth Management. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright 2020 FMG Suite.

CapSouth Partners, Inc., dba CapSouth Wealth Management, is an independent registered Investment Advisory firm. CapSouth does not offer tax, accounting or legal advice. Consult your tax or legal advisors for all issues that may have tax or legal consequences.

Social Security: The $64,000 Question

December 28, 2020
Retirement, Retirement Planning, Social Security

One of the most common questions people ask about Social Security is when they should start taking benefits.

This is the $64,000 question. Making the right decision for you can have a meaningful impact on your financial income in retirement.

Before considering how personal circumstances and objectives may play into your decision, it may be helpful to preface that discussion with an illustration of how benefits may differ based upon the age at which you commence taking Social Security.

As the accompanying chart reflects, the amount you receive will be based upon the age at which you begin taking benefits.

Monthly Benefit Amounts
Based on the Age that Benefits Begin¹

Age	Benefit Amount
62 63 64 65 66 and 4 months 67 68 69 70	$953 $1,018 $1,097 $1,184 $1,300 $1,369 $1,473 $1,577 $1,681

*This example assumes a benefit amount of $1,300 at the full retirement age of 66 and 4 months.

At first blush, the decision may seem a bit clear-cut: Simply calculate the lifetime value of the early benefit amount versus the lifetime value of the higher benefit, based on some assumed life expectancy.

The calculus is a bit more complicated than that because of the more favorable tax treatment of Social Security income versus IRA withdrawals, spousal benefit coordination opportunities, the consideration of the surviving spouse, and Social Security’s lifetime income guarantee that exists under current law.²

Here are three ideas to think about when making your decision:

Do You Need the Money?
Retiring before full retirement age may be a personal choice or one that is thrust upon you because of circumstances, such as declining health or job loss. If you need the income that Social Security is scheduled to provide, however reduced, then taking benefits early may be the only choice for you.
Consider the Needs of Your Spouse
If your spouse expects to depend on your Social Security income, the survivor benefits he or she receives after your death may be reduced substantially if you begin taking benefits early. It’s important to remember that, based on current life expectancy tables, women are likely to live longer than men.
Are You Healthy?
The primary risk in retirement is running out of money. The odds of living a long life in retirement calls for waiting until you reach full retirement age, so that you receive a full benefit for as long as you live. However, if your current health is poor, then starting earlier may make sense for you.

There are several elements you should evaluate before you start claiming Social Security. By determining your priorities and other income opportunities, you may be able to better decide at what age benefits make the most sense.

Social Security Administration, 2018
Withdrawals from traditional IRAs are taxed as ordinary income and, if taken before age 59½, may be subject to a 10% federal income tax penalty. Generally, once you reach age 70½, you must begin taking required minimum distributions.

To learn more about CapSouth Wealth Management and the services we provide, visit out website at www.capsouthwm.com

9 Facts About Social Security

July 27, 2020
Uncategorized

Social Security has been a fact of retirement life ever since it was established in 1935. We all think we know how it works, but how much do you really know? Here are nine things that might surprise you.

The Social Security trust fund is huge. At $2.9 trillion at the end of 2018, it exceeds the gross domestic product (GDP) of every economy in the world except the ten largest: China, the European Union, the United States, India, Japan, Germany, Russia, Indonesia, Brazil, and The United Kingdom.¹
Most workers are eligible for Social Security benefits, but not all. For example, until 1984, federal government employees were part of the Civil Service Retirement System and were not covered by Social Security.²
You don’t have to work long to be eligible. If you were born in 1929 or later, you need to work for 10 or more years to be eligible for benefits.³
Benefits are based on an individual’s average earnings during a lifetime of work under the Social Security system. The calculation is based on the 35 highest years of earnings. If an individual has years of low earnings or no earnings, Social Security may count those years to bring the total years to 35.⁴
There has not always been cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) in Social Security benefits. Before 1975, increasing benefits required an act of Congress; now increases happen automatically, based on the Consumer Price Index. There was a COLA increase of 2.9% in 2019, but there was only an increase of 2% in 2018.⁵
Social Security is a major source of retirement income for 67% of current retirees.⁶
Social Security benefits are subject to federal income taxes — but it was not always that way. In 1983, Amendments to the Social Security Act made benefits taxable, starting with the 1984 tax year.⁷
Social Security recipients received a single lump-sum payment from 1937 until 1940. One-time payments were considered “payback” to those people who contributed to the program. Social Security administrators believed these people would not participate long enough to be vested for monthly benefits.⁸
In January 1937, Earnest Ackerman became the first person in the U.S. to receive a Social Security benefit—a lump sum of 17 cents.⁹

To learn more about CapSouth and the services we provide, contact our office at 800.929.1001 or visit our website at www.capsouthwm.com

CapSouth Wealth Management – Dothan, AL, McDonough, GA, Charlotte, NC

1. Social Security Administration, 2018; CIA World Factbook, 2018
2-5, 7-9. Social Security Administration, 2019
6. Employee Benefit Research Institute, 2018

CapSouth Partners, Inc., dba CapSouth Wealth Management, is an independent Registered Investment Advisory firm. CapSouth does not offer tax, accounting or legal advice. Consult your tax or legal advisors for all issues that may have tax or legal consequences.

Tag: Social Security

Social Security: The Elephant in the Room

Social Security: The $64,000 Question

9 Facts About Social Security

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