2018 Tax News

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 reduced federal income tax liability for some, but not all, Americans. Wealthy residents of California, New York and other high-tax states could face a higher tax bill when they file their 2018 return.¹

While cutting tax rates on ordinary income, increasing the standard deduction and doubling the federal estate and gift tax exemptions, the tax legislation also capped the deduction for state and local taxes (SALT). While once open-ended, the SALT deduction is now limited to $10,000 ($5,000 if married, filing separately).²

These state and local taxes are higher in some locations and, in the past, this has represented a significant deduction for high-income filers. For example, in California the tax for the highest income bracket is 13.30 percent, in Hawaii it is 11 percent, and residents of Oregon and Minnesota pay nearly 10 percent. To help offset their tax liability going forward, these filers could engage strategies ranging from relocating to another state to transferring wealth to heirs or trusts.³

However, any strategy to reduce one’s tax bill requires the advice of an experienced tax advisor, especially one who is knowledgeable within your particular state. Once you’ve gauged your position in relation to taxes, if you’d like help assessing your financial strategy with the goal of better positioning it for future success, regardless of the tax or stock market environment, please give us a call.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently reported that another group, those who itemize deductions, may owe additional taxes for 2018. Specifically, filers who are:⁴

•          Married
•          Itemize deductions
•          Have two dependents under age 17
•          Earn annual income in excess of $180,000
•          Have non-wage income (dividends, interest or capital gains) of $20,000 or more

The reason this group, comprising more than 4.5 million taxpayers, may owe additional taxes in April is because they may not have properly adjusted their withholding amounts.⁵

The IRS recommends taxpayers use the Withholding Calculator at the IRS website for a “paycheck checkup.” Simply enter the estimated value of your 2018 income, number of dependents, your itemized deductions and the amount of federal tax withheld from your paychecks to help you assess whether your current withholdings will miss, meet or exceed your anticipated tax bill. The results can help you adjust your income tax withholding. As with any financial calculator, the results received are only as accurate as the information entered.⁶

National picture

The national debt topped out at $779 billion in fiscal 2018, representing a 17 percent increase over 2017. In a recent interview, former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen observed that she expects this situation to worsen in the future, given the number of baby boomers retiring and the subsequent increased burden on government retirement and health care programs. She also noted that the current tariff war could impact economic growth.⁷

Since lawmakers cut the corporate tax rate to 21 percent from 35 percent, 2018’s corporate tax collections fell 31 percent in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30. Overall tax receipts shrank to 16.5 percent of GDP, from 17.2 percent the prior year.⁸

Content prepared by Kara Stefan Communications.

¹ Mitchell A. Drossman. U.S. Trust. Sept. 6, 2018. “The State of Taxes in America” https://www.ustrust.com/articles/the-state-of-taxes-in-america.html. Accessed Oct. 31, 2018.

² Ibid.

³ Ibid.

⁴ Ray Martin. CBS News. Sept. 10, 2018. “Millions of taxpayers could wind up owing for 2018.” https://www.cbsnews.com/news/millions-of-taxpayers-could-wind-up-owing-for-2018/. Accessed Oct. 31, 2018.

⁵ Ibid.

⁶ IRS. Oct. 2, 2018. “IRS Withholding Calculator.” https://www.irs.gov/individuals/irs-withholding-calculator. Accessed Oct. 31, 2018.

⁷ Fred Imbert. CNBC. Oct. 30, 2018. “Yellen says rising deficit is unsustainable: 'If I had a magic wand, I would raise taxes'.” https://www.cnbc.com/2018/10/30/yellen-says-rising-us-deficit-unsustainable-if-i-had-a-magic-wand-i-would-raise-taxes.html. Accessed Oct. 31, 2018.

⁸ Scott Horsley. NPR. Oct. 16, 2018. “Federal Deficit Jumps 17 Percent As Tax Cuts Eat Into Government Revenue.” https://www.npr.org/2018/10/16/657790901/federal-deficit-jumps-17-percent-as-tax-cuts-eat-into-government-revenue. Accessed Oct. 31, 2018.

Neither our firm nor its agents or representatives may give tax or legal advice. Be sure to speak with a qualified professional about your unique situation.

We are an independent firm helping individuals create retirement strategies using a variety of insurance and investment products to custom suit their needs and objectives. This material is intended to provide general information to help you understand basic financial planning strategies and should not be construed as financial advice. All investments are subject to risk including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values.

The information contained in this material is believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed; it is not intended to be used as the sole basis for financial decisions. If you are unable to access any of the news articles and sources through the links provided in this text, please contact us to request a copy of the desired reference.  

Investment advisory services offered through Global Financial Private Capital, LLC (“GFPC”), an SEC-Registered Investment Adviser. SEC registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training.  LaRuffa Financial Group and GFPC are not affiliated entities.

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IRS News to Know

As we head into the final quarter of 2017, it’s a good idea to stay cognizant of any tax issues that may affect your finances come April 2018. Now is the time to review your investments and income distribution plans to help ensure you don’t trigger additional taxes or penalties later on.

We can help retirees create income distribution strategies that provide a reliable stream of income. As some income-generating strategies could increase your tax liability in a single year, we recommend clients also consult with an experienced tax professional to understand issues regarding their specific situation. We are happy to make a recommendation from our network of professional colleagues.

One common income distribution strategy is to transfer assets from an employer-sponsored 401(k) plan to a self-directed IRA. This move can give some individuals more investment choices. The IRS encourages eligible taxpayers to consider requesting a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer, rather than doing a rollover. However, if you do not conduct a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer, it’s important to understand the rules related to personally withdrawing money from one account and depositing it to another. The IRS allows a 60-day window to do this without penalty. If an individual misses that deadline, he may qualify for a waiver to extend the deposit window. The IRS will generally allow an extension for one or more of 11 circumstances, including the death of a family member or because the taxpayer becomes seriously ill. Furthermore, a taxpayer can use a new self-certification procedure to apply for the waiver of the 60-day period to avoid possible early distribution taxes.¹

Speaking of IRAs, one income distribution strategy that early retirees may be able to take advantage of is IRS Rule 72(t). Normally, someone who retires before age 59 ½ would be subject to a 10 percent penalty on early withdrawals from a retirement plan. However, Rule 72(t) waives this penalty for individuals who make a series of “substantially equal periodic payments” for five years or until the retirement account owner reaches age 59 ½ – whichever is longer. The allowable amount is based on life expectancy and must be calculated using one of the IRS approved methods.² Since every situation is different, individuals are encouraged to consult with a qualified tax professional before making any decisions.

A 2011 rule from the IRS relates to the “portability deadline.” This is the rule that allows a surviving spouse to absorb any unused portion of a deceased spouse’s estate tax exemption amount. The surviving spouse must file an estate tax return on behalf of the decedent in order to qualify for the portability rule, even if the estate is under the filing threshold and typically would not be required to file an estate tax return. A new IRS guideline grants a permanent automatic extension of the time to file an estate tax return just to claim portability, extending it from nine months to up to two years after the decedent’s death.³

Also, as a reminder, 2017 is the first tax year in which taxpayers age 65 and over are subject to the same 10 percent threshold of adjusted gross income (AGI) for deducting unreimbursed medical expenses as all other taxpayers (in previous years the threshold was 7.5 percent for those 65 and over). Eligible medical and dental expenses must be over 10 percent of the taxpayer’s 2017 AGI in order to claim the deduction.⁴

Content prepared by Kara Stefan Communications.

¹ IRS. April 19, 2017. “2016 Tax Changes.” https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2016-tax-changes. Accessed Aug. 14, 2017.

² Investopedia. 2017. “Rule 72(t).” http://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/rule72t.asp. Accessed Aug. 18, 2017.

³ Michael Kitces. Nerd’s Eye View. June 28, 2017. “IRS Extends Portability Deadline (Retroactively) Under Rev. Proc. 2017-34.” https://www.kitces.com/blog/rev-proc-2017-34-automatic-extension-deadline-form-706-portability-dsue-amount/?utm_source=FeedburnerRSS&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+KitcesNerdsEyeView+%28kitces.com+%7C+Nerd%27s+Eye+View%29. Accessed Aug. 18, 2017.

⁴ IRS. Dec. 15, 2016. “Questions and Answers: Changes to the Itemized Deduction for 2016 Medical Expenses.” https://www.irs.gov/individuals/questions-and-answers-changes-to-the-itemized-deduction-for-medical-expenses. Accessed Aug. 14, 2017.

The content provided in this blog is designed to provide general information on the subjects covered. It is not, however, intended to provide specific legal or tax advice and cannot be used to avoid tax penalties or to promote, market or recommend any tax plan or arrangement. You are encouraged to consult your personal tax advisor or attorney.

We are an independent firm helping individuals create retirement strategies using a variety of insurance and investment products to custom suit their needs and objectives. This material is intended to provide general information to help you understand basic financial planning strategies and should not be construed as financial advice.

Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal.  Any references to reliable income generally refer to fixed insurance products, never securities or investment products.  Insurance and annuity product guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.

The information contained in this material is believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed; it is not intended to be used as the sole basis for financial decisions. If you are unable to access any of the news articles and sources through the links provided in this text, please contact us to request a copy of the desired reference.

Investment Advisory Services offered through Global Financial Private Capital, LLC.

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Assessing Risk in Retirement Income

When it comes to investing, there’s no such thing as a “safe bet.” Every type of financial vehicle has some level of risk, even checking and savings accounts. Back in the 1920s, people believed that the safest place to keep their money was a bank, and they were right. But as they witnessed during the Great Depression, even those assets were not 100 percent safe. Bank runs caused banks to deplete their cash holdings, and they had to call in loans and liquidate assets to try to keep up with withdrawal demands, which subsequently led to bank failures.¹ In response, the government created the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), which insures deposits up to $250,000 per depositor, per FDIC-insured bank, per ownership category.²

Throughout history, bank deposit accounts have generally been considered the safest place to keep assets. However, today’s longer lifespans illustrate that risk takes many forms, including the potential risk of outliving your money if you don’t save enough, have a well-diversified financial portfolio to help outpace inflation and seek out multiple sources for reliable income streams. We can recommend a variety of strategies to help retirees pursue each of these goals, based on individual circumstances. Give us a call, and let’s discuss your options.

Consider even Social Security. The agency projects that by 2034, its Trust Fund will be reduced to the point where it can pay out only 74 percent of promised benefits to retirees. While it’s unlikely this safety net will collapse, Congress will need to take steps to keep the fund fully solvent.³

However, individuals who invest in 401(k)s should be aware that even if their company closes or goes bankrupt, vested 401(k) assets belong to the account owner; the employer or the employer’s creditors can’t touch them.⁴

Another factor that can potentially affect your retirement assets is the impact long-term inflation can have on cost of living expenses for people who spend 20 to 30 years or more in retirement. Inflation has remained low for many years, and some market experts believe that, as a result, many investors are not well-prepared for a resurgence of inflation.⁵

With the knowledge that investing offers the possibility of growth but also the risk of loss, it’s a good idea to consider working with a financial advisor to help tailor a financial portfolio to your specific goals, timeline and tolerance for different types of risk. Your financial advisor may also suggest annuities, and although they are not investments, some annuity contracts credit interest earnings that are linked to the performance of an external market index. These types of annuities, often referred to as fixed index annuities, offer a combination of higher interest growth potential and guaranteed income. The guarantees are backed by the insurance company so it’s important to check out the credit rating and financial strength and experience of the issuing insurer.

Content prepared by Kara Stefan Communications.

¹ History.com. “Bank Run.” http://www.history.com/topics/bank-run. Accessed Aug. 6, 2017.

² Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. June 3, 2014. “Deposit Insurance FAQs.” https://www.fdic.gov/deposit/deposits/faq.html. Accessed August 15, 2017.

³ Chris Farrell. Forbes/Next Avenue. June 24, 2016. “The Truth About Social Security’s Solvency And You.” https://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2016/06/24/the-truth-about-social-securitys-solvency-and-you/#2590b10b2199. Accessed Aug. 14, 2017.

⁴ Dana Anspach. The Balance. Nov. 22, 2016. “If My Company Closes, What Happens to My 401k?” https://www.thebalance.com/if-my-company-closes-what-happens-to-my-401k-2388225. Accessed Aug. 14, 2017.

⁵ Rebecca Ungarino. CNBC. Aug. 5, 2017. “Inflation isn’t stirring, but still the biggest risk to investors even as it’s ‘least apparent’: Brown Brothers.” https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/05/with-inflation-dormant-investors-downplay-risks-to-the-economy.html. Accessed Aug. 6, 2017.

Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Any references to reliable income generally refer to fixed insurance products, never securities or investment products. Annuities are insurance products that may be subject to fees, surrender charges and holding periods which vary by company. Annuities are not a deposit of nor are they insured by any bank, the FDIC, NCUA, or by any federal government agency. 

Annuities are designed for retirement or other long-term needs.

We are an independent firm helping individuals create retirement strategies using a variety of insurance and investment products to custom suit their needs and objectives. This material is intended to provide general information to help you understand basic financial planning strategies and should not be construed as financial advice.

The information contained in this material is believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed; it is not intended to be used as the sole basis for financial decisions. If you are unable to access any of the news articles and sources through the links provided in this text, please contact us to request a copy of the desired reference.

Investment Advisory Services offered through Global Financial Private Capital, LLC.

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Income Strategies for an 8,000-Day Retirement

By 2030, it’s estimated that 20 percent of the U.S. population will be over age 65.¹ That means a fifth of all Americans will be on the fringe of retirement or already retired, a milestone that’s generally perceived to come late in life. But consider this, there are approximately 8,000 days in today’s average retirement. That’s approximately the same number of days from:²

•          Birth to college graduation
•          College graduation to mid-life crisis
•          Mid-life crisis to retirement

Eight thousand days translates to about 22 years. That may seem long for retirement, but it’s actually quite common these days: Retire at 65 and live to 87; retire at 70 and live to 92; retire at 80 and live to 102. More people are doing this all the time.³

If you are fortunate enough to enjoy 8,000 days of retirement, you’ll need plenty of retirement savings accumulated to make it last. For many people, that may not happen. Some young people don’t save enough because they struggle to make ends meet. People in their 40s might splurge on a sporty convertible or have unexpected expenses for a family member.

Sometimes the bulk of retirement saving gets crammed into those 8,000 days between mid-life and retirement. If this scenario sounds familiar, note that we have experience working with clients who are in similar situations. One of the keys is to use today’s retirement income strategies and financial vehicles to help maximize your assets for long-term financial confidence. We can use a variety of investment and insurance products to customize a financial strategy for your unique situation.

One possible strategy to help with the concern of outliving your retirement income may be to delay starting Social Security benefits.⁴ For example, an economist at Boston University demonstrated a scenario in which a 66-year-old retiree begins withdrawing income from his 401(k)/IRA account while delaying Social Security until age 70. His calculations show that this strategy would yield a higher income throughout retirement than if the retiree started pulling from all income sources at full retirement age.⁵

Also remember that the concept of 8,000 days is a middling number. Roughly, half of retirees will die before 8,000 days and half live longer. Annuities can be an option for people who want to help ensure a portion of their retirement income will be guaranteed. An annuity is an insurance contract that can provide long-term retirement income to help protect you against longevity risk, such as a retirement spanning two decades or more.

It’s important to understand there are several different types of annuities, and they don’t all work the same way. They may offer various features; such as payout options, death benefits and potential income for your spouse. Some can offer guaranteed income (a fixed annuity) while others offer an income stream that relies on the performance of the investments you choose (a variable annuity). There may be tradeoffs for these features, like additional fees or lower income payouts.⁶ A financial professional can help you understand which type of annuity suits your financial needs.

Content prepared by Kara Stefan Communications

¹ Richard Eisenberg. Forbes. May 9, 2017. “Why Isn't Business Preparing More for The Future of Aging?” https://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2017/05/09/why-isnt-business-preparing-more-for-the-future-of-aging/#108dfd522dec. Accessed July 31, 2017.

² Ibid.

³ Ibid.

⁴ Mark Miller. The New York Times. Feb. 18, 2017. “How to Make Your Money Last as Long as

You Do.” https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/18/your-money/retiring-longevity-planning-social-security.html. Accessed July 31, 2017.

⁵ Laurence Kotlikoff. Dallas News. May 5, 2017. “Which should you take first: Social Security or your 401(k)?” https://www.dallasnews.com/business/personal-finance/2017/05/05/take-first-social-security-401k. Accessed July 31, 2017.

⁶ CNN. 2017. “What is an annuity?” http://money.cnn.com/retirement/guide/annuities_basics.moneymag/index.htm. Accessed July 31, 2017.

The hypothetical example provided is for illustrative purposes only; it does not represent a real life scenario, and should not be construed as advice designed to meet the particular needs of an individual’s situation. We are able to provide you with information but not guidance or advice related to Social Security benefits. Our firm is not affiliated with the U.S. government or any governmental agency.

Insurance and annuity product guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Annuities are insurance products that may be subject to fees, surrender charges and holding periods which vary by company. Annuities are not a deposit of nor are they insured by any bank, the FDIC, NCUA, or by any federal government agency. Annuities are designed for retirement or other long-term needs.

This material is intended to provide general information to help you understand basic financial planning strategies and should not be construed as financial advice. All investments are subject to risk including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values. 

The information contained in this material is believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed; it is not intended to be used as the sole basis for financial decisions. If you are unable to access any of the news articles and sources through the links provided in this text, please contact us to request a copy of the desired reference.

Investment Advisory Services offered through Global Financial Private Capital, LLC.

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Strategic vs. Tactical Asset Allocation

In recent years, the markets, the economy and the global political scene have evolved considerably. We’ve witnessed both remarkable volatility and remarkable resilience in these areas. The reality is that less predictability in today’s economic landscape requires more vigilant risk diversification, coupled with the ability to adapt to a fast-changing environment.¹

We work with our clients to set financial goals and make strategic and tactical recommendations to help them reach their individual financial objectives. Equally as important, we want to encourage clients to work with us to monitor their financial progress and let us know when their personal or financial situation changes. Investing mirrors life in many ways: You make plans, but they often get disrupted, waylaid or delayed. By closely monitoring your financial strategy, we can help you determine if and when it’s time to make changes.

To this end, it may be beneficial for you to understand the distinction between strategic asset allocation and tactical asset allocation. Strategic allocation establishes and maintains a deliberate mix of stocks, bonds and cash designed to help meet your long-term financial objectives.²

Tactical asset allocation, on the other hand, is more market focused. While an investor may set parameters for how much and how long he wants to invest in a certain asset class, he may want to then increase or decrease his allocations by 5 percent to 10 percent over a short time based on economic or market opportunities.³

It is important to be aware that tactical asset allocation strategies present higher risks but also the opportunity for higher returns. It’s a good idea to set percentage limits on asset allocations and time benchmarks for when you may want to exit certain positions.⁴ Tactical asset allocation is, in fact, a market timing strategy, but its risk lies more in asset categories rather than individual holdings, and a crucial key for this type of allocation is to actively manage that risk.⁵

To help diversify and manage risk, some financial advisors recommend exchange traded funds (ETFs). These are passively managed funds that can be bought and sold throughout the trading day. While ETFs are passively managed, they provide a means for an investor to tactically expand or shrink exposure to a specific asset class in her own actively managed portfolio. Proponents of ETFs favor them because of their low cost, tax efficiency and trading flexibility.⁶

Content prepared by Kara Stefan Communications.

¹ Nasdaq. June 26, 2017. “Asset owners must be more innovative to fulfill investment missions.” http://www.nasdaq.com/press-release/asset-owners-must-be-more-innovative-to-fulfill-investment-missions-20170626-00612. Accessed July 8, 2017.

² Chris Chen. Insight Financial Strategists. July 1, 2017. “Tactical asset allocation can enhance a long term strategy.” http://insightfinancialstrategists.com/asset-allocation/?utm_source=ReviveOldPost&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ReviveOldPost. Accessed July 8, 2017.

³ Ibid.

⁴ Ibid.

⁵ Girija Gadre, Arti Bhargava and Labdhi Mehta. The Economic Times. June 19, 2017. “5 smart things to know about tactical asset allocation.” http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/wealth/invest/5-smart-things-to-know-about-tactical-asset-allocation/articleshow/59189407.cms. Accessed July 8, 2017.

⁶ Robert Powell. MarketWatch. June 9, 2017. “Why financial advisers prefer ETFs over mutual funds.” http://www.marketwatch.com/story/why-financial-advisers-prefer-etfs-over-mutual-funds-2017-06-09. Accessed July 8, 2017.

We are an independent firm helping individuals create retirement strategies using a variety of insurance and investment products to custom suit their needs and objectives. This material is intended to provide general information to help you understand basic financial planning strategies and should not be construed as financial advice. All investments are subject to risk including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values. 

The information contained in this material is believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed; it is not intended to be used as the sole basis for financial decisions. If you are unable to access any of the news articles and sources through the links provided in this text, please contact us to request a copy of the desired reference.

Investment Advisory Services offered through Global Financial Private Capital, LLC.

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Retirement Plan Fees: Know What You Are Paying

Retirement Plan Fees: Know What You Are Paying

Many large companies offer employees a 401(k) plan with some degree of matching contribution. Although this is a good employee benefit to have, you always should pay attention to the fees involved in your plan. Your plan provider charges various fees to invest, manage and administer the plan, and those fees are passed on to the participants who invest.

The Center for Retirement Research at Boston College reports that, in recent years, the fees charged by actively managed mutual funds — including those in 401(k) plans — have dropped. Since 2015, the average fee dropped from 0.78 percent to 0.75 percent. Around 15 years ago, fees averaged about 1 percent. However, fees for passively managed index mutual funds, generally referred to as index funds, average significantly less at 0.17 percent. Index funds passively track the investments of a specific market index; there is no manager actively choosing investments for the fund on a day-to-day basis.¹

If you have a 401(k) plan through a current or former employer, we’re happy to help you determine what you are paying in fees and help you assess your financial situation. In many cases, the more investors learn about fees, the more they start choosing investments that cost less. The Center for Retirement Research suggests this by sharing that U.S. investors withdrew $627 billion from actively managed funds that charged the highest fees and invested $429 billion into lower-fee index funds in 2015 and 2016.²

The Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule, which took partial effect in June, has made it easier for investors to know what they are paying for by requiring the disclosure of all fees and commissions. This information must be in dollar form.³ In addition, FINRA, a self-regulatory organization that regulates broker-dealers in the United States, offers a Fund Analyzer tool on its website that can help investors estimate the impact of fees and expenses on an investment and research applicable fees and available discounts for specific funds.⁴

Are fees really that important? It can depend. If you are paying a money management firm to select investments and it does a great job of providing consistent performance over time, it may be worth what you pay in fees. But it may also be worth considering how your investments compare with the overall market. For example, over the past three years, the S&P 500 has increased by 26 percent (as of mid-June 2017).⁵ If you were invested in a low-expense S&P 500 index fund, you would have experienced impressive returns. But if you had been paying a high fee for an active manager yielding the same performance, it may not have been worth the expense.

Speaking of fees, be aware that the IRS permits investors to deduct certain expenses incurred on taxable investments, such as:⁶

·         Fees for investment counsel, including subscriptions to financial publications

·         IRA or Keogh custodial fees (if paid by cash outside the account)

·         Transportation to your broker’s or investment advisor’s office

·         Safety deposit box rent if you use it to store certificates or investment-related paperwork

If you have a 401(k) plan through a current or former employer and would like help determining what you are paying in fees, we’re happy to help you assess your financial situation. Using a variety of investment and insurance products, we can create a financial strategy that can help put you on the path toward your financial goals.

Content prepared by Kara Stefan Communications.

¹ Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. June 29, 2017. “Mutual Fund Fees: Here’s What Matters.” http://squaredawayblog.bc.edu/squared-away/mutual-fund-fees-heres-what-matters/. Accessed July 5, 2017.

² Ibid.

³ Investopedia. July 5, 2017. “DOL Fiduciary Rule Explained as of July 5^th, 2017.” http://www.investopedia.com/updates/dol-fiduciary-rule/. Accessed July 13, 2017.

⁴ FINRA. “Fund Analyzer.” http://apps.finra.org/fundanalyzer/1/fa.aspx. Accessed July 5, 2017.

5 Dayana Yochim. Atlanta Journal Constitution. July 5, 2017. “This May Be Why You’re Down in an Up Market.” http://www.ajc.com/business/consumer-advice/this-may-why-you-down-market/hQWTwwUWlBhEKX8tJoyNHL/. Accessed July 5, 2017.

⁶ Rande Spiegelman. Charles Schwab. March 15, 2017. “Investment Expenses: What’s Tax Deductible?” http://www.schwab.com/insights/taxes/investment-expenses-whats-tax-deductible. Accessed July 5, 2017.

Neither the firm nor its agents or representatives may give tax advice. Be sure to speak with a qualified professional about your unique situation.

We are an independent firm helping individuals create retirement strategies using a variety of insurance and investment products to custom suit their needs and objectives. This material is intended to provide general information to help you understand basic financial planning strategies and should not be construed as financial advice. All investments are subject to risk including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values. 

The information contained in this material is believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed; it is not intended to be used as the sole basis for financial decisions. If you are unable to access any of the news articles and sources through the links provided in this text, please contact us to request a copy of the desired reference.

Investment Advisory Services offered through Global Financial Private Capital, LLC.

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3 Common Questions About Social Security

While Social Security shouldn’t be relied upon to be the sole source of income during retirement, it can play an important role in your overall financial strategy for retirement. But making sense of the basic ins and outs of Social Security can be overwhelming. Here are three questions people commonly ask as they approach retirement age:

When can I start taking benefits?

While full retirement age is 66 for people born between 1943 and 1954 and gradually increases to age 67 for those born in 1960 or later, you can start receiving Social Security benefits at age 62.¹ Keep in mind, however, that there is a cost to early distribution; your benefits are reduced by about 0.5 percent for each month you receive benefits before full retirement age.² For example, those born in 1955 with a full retirement age of 66 and two months who start taking benefits at age 62 will receive about 75 percent of the full benefit.³

On the flip side, delaying benefits past full retirement age, up to age 70, increases your distribution amount. If the same individual in the previous example waits until age 68 to take benefits, his or her benefit will increase 8 percent each year after full retirement age. This increase continues until you reach age 70 or you start taking benefits, whichever comes first.⁴

What happens to my benefits when I die?

It depends. If you are married and your spouse is age 60 or older, he or she may be eligible to collect a survivor’s benefit. The benefit amount remains the same as the deceased’s amount, although that amount is reduced if benefits are started before the surviving spouse’s full retirement age.⁵ A spouse cannot collect both survivors benefits and retirement benefits based on their own work record. They will collect whichever benefit is higher.⁶

If you have a minor child or children, your surviving spouse (regardless of age) may also be eligible for a survivors benefit until the minor child turns age 16. If you have no surviving spouse or minor children, your benefit remains in the Social Security trust fund and is not paid out to any other named beneficiaries, unless they qualify under the Social Security survivors benefits eligibility rules.⁷

Can I work while receiving benefits?

Yes. However, if you haven’t reached full retirement age, your benefit amount will be reduced if your earnings exceed the limit. Starting with the month you’ve reached full retirement age, your benefits will not be reduced no matter how much you earn.⁸ The earnings limit and reduced amount vary according to your age. To find out how much your benefits might be reduced, use the Social Security earnings calculator at https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/COLA/RTeffect.html.⁹

Understanding Social Security can be challenging, but you don’t have to go it alone. Contact us today to learn more about  how to incorporate your Social Security benefits  into your complete financial strategy. We may be able to identify potential retirement income gaps and may introduce investment and insurance products as a potential solution.

Content prepared by Amy Ragland.

¹ Social Security. January 2017. “Understanding the Benefits.” https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10024.pdf. Accessed June 20, 2017.

² Ibid.

³ Social Security. “Retirement Planner: Benefits By Year of Birth.” https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/agereduction.html. Accessed June 20, 2017.

⁴ Social Security. “Retirement Planner: Delayed Retirement Credits.” https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/delayret.html. Accessed June 20, 2017.

⁵ Joseph L. Matthews. Caring.com. Dec. 24, 2016. “What happens to the rest of a person’s Social Security money after they die?” https://www.caring.com/questions/social-security-benefits-after-death. Accessed June 20, 2017.

⁶ Ibid.

⁷ Ibid.

⁸ Social Security. June 15, 2017. “What happens if I work and get Social Security retirement benefits?” https://faq.ssa.gov/link/portal/34011/34019/Article/3739/What-happens-if-I-work-and-get-Social-Security-retirement-benefits. Accessed June 20, 2017.

⁹ Social Security. “Retirement Earnings Test Calculator.” https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/COLA/RTeffect.html. Accessed June 20, 2017.

Financial professionals are able to provide you with information but not guidance or advice related to Social Security benefits. We are not affiliated with the U.S. government or any governmental agency.

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