Social Security will probably be a big part of your retirement security, so it’s important to understand your benefits, including how much you can receive, when you can file, and what benefits are available.
A Brief Look at Social Security
How did we get to this point and what is next?
Social Security was signed into law in 1935. Monthly benefits were first paid in 1940 with an average benefit of $22/month. Back then there were 160 workers supporting for every beneficiary while today there are 2.8 workers for every beneficiary. You’ve probably heard that Trust Fund reserves are projected to be exhausted by 2034 without Congressional action.
Will Social Security be there for me?
We hear this question often and our favorite response is, “If you are worried about your benefits being reduced you should save more money to your portfolio.” Believe it or not, Social Security reserves have been on the brink of exhaustion before, so some solutions you might see include:
- Increase Full Retirement Age
- Remove Social Security tax earnings cap
- $132,900 in 2019, $137,700 in 2020
- Increase eligibility age from 62
- Reduce cost-of-living adjustments (COLA)
- Means testing
Getting Started
Start by getting a copy of your benefit statement. Currently, the Social Security administration will only send paper statements to individuals who are 60 and older, aren’t receiving benefits, and don’t have a My Social Security online account.
You can go online to create an account at www.ssa.gov and see your estimated benefit and your earnings record.
Social Security
After reading through the information, you might still have questions. Call us. Or register for our upcoming workshop.
What options are right for you?
We’ve heard many of our clients’ concerns about how to make the best choices for Medicare and when to file for Social Security. These decisions can be overwhelming, and government websites do little to help break down the information in an accessible and easy way. Knowledge and expert assistance can make a meaningful financial impact.
Get your questions answered at our biannual workshop.
You may still need help optimizing your Medicare and Social Security. We understand the need for clarity so we hold an biannual workshop to answer your questions.
Please take a moment to check out our video showing our past workshop held at Ballast Point Miramar.
The Presenters
Tracy Burgett
platt wealth management
Tracy is the Director of Financial Planning at Platt Wealth Management, where she creates customized financial plans. She specializes in retirement planning, Social Security and Medicare planning.
Diane Gaswirth
United health care
Diane Gaswirth helps consumers simplify Medicare to make the choices best for their healthcare. She is an accomplished leader in health plan selection at UnitedHealthcare.
Where is the Workshop?
To help make these confusing topics easy to digest, we host our workshops somewhere fun. Our last workshop was held at Ballast Point Brewing Miramar where participant enjoyed the open patio and delicious award-winning beer.
What better place to talk over Medicare and Social Security than over tasty pub
snacks with informed experts? Get your facts and your fun together.
Many participants extended the afternoon into evening with a complimentary tour of the Ballast Point brewery.
- The tour ran about 30 minutes.
- Experienced the 150-barrel brew house, cellar, lab.
- Finished with a guided tasting.
- Financial knowledge and a commemorative beer glass.
Sign up here to receive an invitation for our next Medicare and Social Security Workshop.
Reserve Your Spot
Join us for an afternoon of fun and facts. Get your questions answered while sampling a selection of hors d’ oerves. Enjoy an early happy hour on us. Let us know if you would like to bring a friend or family member in the guest box.
Our Fiduciary Promise
We promise to put your interests ahead of our own and to provide transparent and straight forward fee-only services. We are an independent firm with no affiliation to a broker or parent company, so we don’t sell investment products, insurance, or annuities.
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