Home Guides & Resources chevron_right Financial Planning Social Security Resources in ONE Location Published June 16, 2022 Social Security is a significant source of income for many Americans, and the rules governing it are confusing. Drawing upon Adviser Investments’ decades of experience, we’ve created extensive Social Security resources to help you understand and maximize your benefits, including blog posts, podcasts and a detailed special report. To quickly find the information you need, simply click, go and learn: Special Report: Social Security’s Role in Your Retirement Podcasts: Three-part series, including: When Should You File for Social Security? Blog Posts: 12 posts, including: Can You Retire on $500K Plus Social Security? and Maximizing Your Social Security Benefits Tip: For straightforward financial advice from our experts, subscribe to The Adviser You Can Talk To podcast. Also, receive bi-weekly market trends and analysis of critical investment topics via your inbox when you sign up for our Adviser Fund Update newsletter. Special Report Social Security’s Role in Your Retirement People often think of Social Security as a safety net. But viewing it through an investor’s lens can help put your financial future in focus. Our special report discusses important fundamentals and strategies, including: how payments are determined, maximizing benefits and whether to delay or not delay filing. Get It Here Three-Part Podcast Series Part One—When Should You File for Social Security? As pensions have been widely phased out over time, Social Security benefits have become increasingly important in retirement planning. In the first of a three-part series, two of our financial planning professionals discuss the basics of Social Security and what to consider before taking benefits. Listen Now Part Two—How Will Social Security Benefit Me? There are many people who don’t get the full Social Security benefits they’re due. In the second installment of our three-part series, two of our financial planning professionals discuss some lesser-known Social Security benefits and how to figure out if you’re eligible for them. Listen Now Part Three—Answering Your Questions About Social Security In the final installment of our three-part series, our financial planning professionals take listener requests and cover some of the trickier aspects of Social Security, like when to apply, eligibility rules and how and when you get paid. Listen Now Blog Posts Can You Retire on $500K Plus Social Security? One of the most popular questions we receive is: Can I retire on $500K plus Social Security (or $700K, $2 million, etc.)? The short answer? Maybe. To be successful, you’ll need to manage three key factors and pinpoint a retirement income spending plan that minimizes your taxes. Understand how. Read the Post When Should You File for Social Security? When to file for Social Security is an important decision. It’s also a very personal one and, therefore, is different for everyone. Consider these four key factors when weighing your options. And remember, once you make the decision, it’s irreversible. Read the Post Maximizing Your Social Security Benefits Delaying filing can provide excellent retirement portfolio protection. Also, higher benefits from waiting until age 70 could reduce the amount you’ll need to withdraw from your investment portfolio later. Consider our example of three coworkers who claimed their Social Security at age 62, 66 and 70 respectfully. The difference is significant. Read the Post Levying & Taxing Social Security Retirement Benefits Taxes impacting your Social Security retirement benefits come in different forms, including IRS levies on Social Security benefits and taxation on earned income and investments. Understand what income the IRS can garnish and how you can avoid paying taxes on Social Security retirement benefits. Read the Post Understanding Survivor Benefits for Children The Social Security Administration (SSA) pays out approximately $2.8 billion in monthly benefits to four million children because one or both of their parents are disabled, retired or deceased. Understand what child survivor benefits are and who qualifies. Read the Post Family Benefits of Social Security You don’t have to be retired to receive Social Security. In certain cases, qualified family members and dependents can receive benefits. Understand three different scenarios and how they may factor into your financial plan. Read the Post How Income Affects Social Security Benefits To understand how different income types affect Social Security, it’s important to differentiate between the SSA’s four programs, because each will have a different impact on your income. Understand these differences and an often overlooked Social Security income strategy. Read the Post Social Security Scams—How to Protect Yourself From Fraud Scammers are constantly changing their strategies using financially and emotionally manipulative tactics to get at your money. Understand common scams and how to protect yourself; and the vulnerable and most targeted people in your life—senior citizens. Read the Post Answers to Popular Social Security Questions It’s not surprising the amount of Social Security questions we receive, however, what is surprising are the amount of questions concerning your actual Social Security card, like “Can I laminate my card?” and “Is it safe to text my Social Security Number?” You may be surprised by some of our answers. Read the Post Social Security FAQs Some of the most frequently asked Social Security questions we receive are, “How do I file for Social Security?” and “What will my benefits be?” Get answers. Read the Post Is Social Security Heading Toward Insolvency? As part of its annual report on the financial health of Social Security and Medicare, the Social Security Board of Trustees reported that Social Security would be insolvent one year sooner than previously projected. Meaning, without government intervention, retirees could experience a cut of about 24% to their Social Security benefits beginning in 2033. Understand if it’s likely. Read the Post Planning in Your 60s: 5 Things to Do Before You Retire Retiring is a major milestone, and it requires not only financial preparedness but emotional readiness. To make sure you are prepared to meet this goal, check out our five steps, including understanding your Social Security benefits, health care, and more. Read the Post In Summary Understanding and maximizing your Social Security benefits is a critical step to building a financially strong retirement. If you’re unsure how to proceed, seek guidance from experienced financial professionals who understand the process and can help you think through your approach. Contact Adviser Investments anytime for assistance Related Special Report Social Security’s Role in Your Retirement Get it Now Tax and legal information contained herein is general in nature, is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal or tax advice. Personalized tax advice and tax return preparation is available through a separate, written engagement agreement with Adviser Investments Tax Solutions. We do not provide legal advice. Always consult a licensed attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation. Our statements and opinions are subject to change without notice. All investments carry risk of loss and there is no guarantee that investment objectives will be achieved. © 2022 Adviser Investments, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Tags: social security