Are You Better Off Waiting to Start Social Security Benefits?

Most of us count down the days, months, and even years in anticipation of starting Social Security. In fact, besides qualifying for Medicare, perhaps the retirement event many most look forward to is the day we can start receiving these benefits.

start social security

Song lyrics come to mind:

Anticipation. Anticipay ay.. tion… It’s makin me wait. It’s keeping me wai ay ay ay ay ay ay ay ya tin

Carly Simon

However, retirees today may be relying too heavily on Social Security, and starting the benefit too soon. Wanting to retire early is a hard temptation to resist. And, you probably want to start Social Security as soon as you can. However, they are so many reasons to wai ay ay ay ay ay-t.

Social Security is Designed to Only Replace a Small Percentage of Your Pre-Retirement Income

According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), “Your Social Security benefits are the foundation on which you can build a secure retirement.”

However, the SSA advises that this paycheck is designed to replace only about 40% of 70% of your pre-retirement income. (Social Security assumes that you will only need 70% of your pre-retirement income and that benefits should only represent about 40% of that income in retirement.)

So, if you earn $50,000 a year before retirement, then you would plan on spending $35,000 a year in retirement and Social Security is designed to represent 40% of that income need — $14,000.

If you earn more than average, then you should plan on Social Security replacing less — sometimes much less — than 40% of your retirement income need.  For example, if you earned $150,000 before retirement, your estimated monthly Social Security would be between $2,000 and $3,000 a month or $36,000 a year.

If you earn less than average, then Social Security may replace slightly more of your income need.

The Reality is that Social Security is Providing a Much Higher Percentage of Income to Most Retirees

According to Social Security’s Fast Facts 2024, many seniors are too reliant on Social Security benefits.  They report that: Among elderly Social Security beneficiaries, 37% of men and 42% of women receive
50% or more of their income from Social Security.

What’s worse?  12% of men and 15% of women rely on Social Security for 90% or more of their income.

You’ll Be Better Off If You Can Keep Wai ay ay ay ay ay-ya ay tin

According to a report by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College and analysis from the Social Security Administration, more people are now waiting to claim Social Security.

However, the majority claim before the full retirement age of around 66:

  • 31% of women and 27% of men claim at 62
  • 6% of all people claim at 63
  • 7% of women and 6% of men claim at 64
  • 10% claim at 65
  • 36% of men and 31% of women claim at 66

Reasons to Wait

Depending on your income history and when exactly you start benefits, if you claim early could be giving up $100,000 or more in benefits over your lifetime.  One hundred thousand dollars!  That is a lot of money!

Deciding whether to wait to start Social Security depends on several factors, including your health, financial needs, and life expectancy. Here are some key considerations to help determine if you might be better off waiting:

1. Higher Monthly Benefits

If you delay taking Social Security beyond your full retirement age (FRA), your benefit increases by about 8% per year until age 70. This could significantly boost your monthly income if you live long enough to break even.

2. Longevity

If you expect to live longer than average, waiting can be advantageous because it maximizes your lifetime Social Security benefits. The break-even point, where delayed benefits catch up with earlier, smaller ones, often occurs in your early 80s.

3. Current Income Needs

If you need the money now to cover living expenses or reduce debt, starting earlier (as early as age 62) may be a practical choice. However, this reduces your monthly benefit by up to 30% compared to waiting until FRA.

4. Health Considerations

If you are in poor health or have a family history of shorter life expectancy, starting Social Security early might make sense, as you may not live long enough to fully benefit from delayed payments.

5. Tax Implications

Depending on your other income, up to 85% of your Social Security benefits may be taxable. By waiting and allowing other assets to generate income first, you may be able to manage your tax situation more efficiently.

If Married, At Least One of You Should Wait to Claim

Delaying benefits is a good Social Security decision for anyone — you just get more money every month the longer you wait to start getting payments.

However, if you are married, you may have an additional incentive to delay benefits. If one of you dies before the other then the surviving spouse will get to make a choice about which Social Security benefit to receive. (A surviving spouse is entitled to just one benefit — not both.)

Rule of Thumb: There is a simple rule to follow if you are married and want the best for your spouse:  The highest earner in the couple should defer the start of benefits as long as possible up until the maximum retirement age of 70.  Don’t focus on who is older. Or, who retires first?  The key is to make sure the highest earner grabs the highest possible payout.

Social Security is Only One Way to Have a Secure Retirement

While retirees today are probably overly dependent on Social Security benefits, there are a lot of options for achieving a secure retirement plan — regardless of Social Security.

The Boldin Retirement Planner can help you discover opportunities.  Explore options like reducing expenses, tapping home equity or working a little bit longer and immediately see the impact on your current and future finances.  This tool was named a best retirement calculator by the American Association of Individual Investors (AAII).  Forbes Magazine calls it “a new approach to retirement planning.”

The tool includes the Social Security Explorer which makes it easy to see how to maximize your Social Security benefits.

However, if all else fails, you might want to explore 11 Ideas for Living on Nothing More than Social Security in retirement.

Boldin Planner

Do it yourself retirement planning: easy, comprehensive, reliable

Boldin Planner

Take financial wellness into your own hands and do it yourself retirement planning: easy, comprehensive, reliable.

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