Social Security sounds simple. You work, you retire, and at some point you begin receiving a monthly check. In reality, the rules are more nuanced than most people expect. The age you choose to start receiving Social Security benefits can affect how much you receive each month, how long your retirement savings last, and how financially secure a surviving spouse…
Tag: Social Security
Social Security Benefits for Surviving Spouses
Here’s a brief overview of Social Security Benefits for Surviving Spouses (even if you were divorced from your ex-spouse when he or she died).
How and When to Enroll in Medicare
Eligibility for Medicare begins on your 65th birthday. You can sign up for the program then, or delay doing so if you are still working. Failure to timely enroll will result in late-enrollment penalties – usually a substantial increase in your monthly Medicare premium price. You will be automatically enrolled on your 65th birthday if you have chosen to receive…
Maximizing Your Social Security Payout
You can start drawing Social Security benefits any time between the ages of 62 and 70. The longer you wait to start, the greater your monthly benefit. If you start at age 62, you get about 75% of your retirement benefits; and if you wait until age 66, you get 100%. But if defer for the maximum period, until age…