This document discusses optimizing Social Security benefits and retirement planning. It provides information on Social Security benefits for married couples, divorced individuals, widows, the disabled, and self-employed people. It also outlines four important facts about Social Security benefits, including that it provides more than just retirement benefits. Additionally, the document discusses determining a retirement income strategy based on fixed and variable expenses as well as optimizing Social Security benefits based on one's specific circumstances and retirement goals.

1. Social Security Planning
“Understanding & Optimize Your Benefits”
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2. Registered Social Security Analysts
Social Security Importance
Married
Divorced
Widows
Children
Disabled
Self-Employed
4 Important Social Security Facts
1. It is more than just a retirement program
Ø Providing life and disability insurance protection
2. It provides a guaranteed, progressive benefit
Ø Keeping up with increases in the cost of living
3. It provides a foundation of retirement protection
Ø Nearly all of you will be eligible to receive
4. Many rely on it for a majority of their retirement income
Ø 50% of retirement income for most Americans
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3. Registered Social Security Analysts
"Optimizing” your Social Security and Retirement Strategy is taking a holistic approach and understanding
your specific circumstances and how you can find a plan that matches your retirement goals
Fixed Expenses
Ø Mortgage
Ø Credit Cards
Ø Loans
Ø Insurance
Ø Food
Ø Utilities
Retirement Income Strategy
Retirement Assets
Ø 401K
Ø Pension Plans
Ø IRA’s
Ø Roth IRA
Ø Annuities
Ø Stocks
Variable Expenses
Ø Travel
Ø Shopping
Ø Vacations
Ø Hobbies
Ø Entertainment
Ø Lifestyle
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4. Registered Social Security Analysts
Full Retirement Age
Full Retirement Age:
1. Receive Primary Insurance Amount
2. Full unreduced benefit
3. No longer subject to the earnings limit
4. 6-month retro payment
5. Voluntary Suspension
Birth Year* Full Retirement Age
1943-54 66
1955 66, 2 months
1956 66, 4 months
1957 66, 6 months
1958 66, 8 months
1959 66, 10 months
1960 & higher 67
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5. Registered Social Security Analysts
Spousal Benefit Reductions
Monthly Benefits
Percentage of Primary Insurance Amount
2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2029 2030 2031 2032
62 63 64 65 66 FRA 67 68 69 70
$1,205 $1,334 $1,464 $1,594 $1,724 $1,854 $1,854 $1,854 $1,854 $1,854
2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2029 2030 2031 2032
62 63 64 65 66 FRA 67 68 69 70
32.5% 35% 37.5% 41.66% 45.83% 50% 50% 50% 50% 50%
*Images are examples used exclusively from RSSA Roadmap Software
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6. Registered Social Security Analysts
Survivor Benefits
Survivor Benefit Key Takeaways:
1. Survivor benefit has a “base amount”
2. Benefits determined by age of claim
3. Survivor FRA is 4 months less than normal FRA
Eligibility factors
Ø Currently married at least 9 months
Ø Collecting age starts at 60
Ø Collect at age 50+ if disabled
Ø Any age if caring for a child under age 16
Ø Any age if caring for a disabled adult child
Survivor Benefit
Claimant Age
Survivor Benefit
Reduction %
60 71.50
61 75.58
62 79.65
63 83.72
64 87.79
65 91.86
66 95.93
67 (FRA) 100
68 100
69 100
70 100
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