Social Security is the largest source of income for citizens 65 years or older. With so many different intricacies, it can be somewhat overwhelming to understand all that this system has to offer.
Check into these 7 things you may not already know about Social Security Disability.
-
1. It’s Not Just a Retirement Program
What started solely as a benefit plan for retired individuals has since stemmed out further. The benefit program now umbrellas over spouses as well as children.
-
2. Working Longer Helps You Strengthen Your Retirement
There are two ways that working a little longer can help strengthen your benefits. Your monthly benefits can be anywhere from 6% to 8% higher if you work one extra year and wait to claim your Social Security until after you’re done working.
Secondly, Social Security will take your top 35 earning years into account when calculating your benefits. If you work an extra year, it can replace what might otherwise be a 0 or your lowest earning year.
-
3. Couples Have More Options
For couples where one individual earns more annually than the other, the lower-earning individual can be entitled to up to 50% of the higher-earning spouse’s benefits.
-
4. Social Security Numbers Do Have Significance
Based partly on geographical region, Social Security numbers are actually slightly predictable if you know a person’s birth date and hometown. Be protective over this kind of personal information – it’s impossible to say what could happen if it gets into the wrong hands.
-
5. Higher Earnings Means Higher Benefits
Generally, this is true; but as you move higher and higher on the income scale, the positive effect toward your benefits withers away. In a higher income bracket, additional income doesn’t have as drastic a positive effect as it did in a lower income bracket.
-
6. You Can Still Claim Spousal Benefits if You Get Divorced
If you’re age 62 or over you can still claim spousal benefits. This is no longer true if you were married less than 10 years.
-
7. Widows and Widowers Can Still Claim Benefits
As a widow or a widower, you can still claim benefits if you don’t remarry until after age 50.
Keep these 7 facts in mind, and seek help from a professional if you have any questions or concerns.
According to North Carolina attorneys, Younce & Vtipil, the Social Security disability benefit system can be one of the most confusing of the federal bureaucracies. Make sure you know your stuff.
Help us spread this article with a quick “comment/share” to your friends and family.
google+
- Simon Schuster
- Laurence J. Kotlikoff, Philip Moeller, Paul Solman
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster
- Mr. Mark J. Orr CFP
- Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
- Edition no. 2 (10/02/2013)
- Publisher: Welcome Rain Publishers
- Edition no. 3 (01/07/2020)
- Paperback: 128 pages
Last update on 2020-03-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
end of post idea for home improvement
view and analyze home improvement ideas at our LetsRenovate center
Helpful article? Leave us a quick comment below.
And please give this article a rating and/or share it within your social networks.
