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Beth A. Botti, CFP®, ChFC, CLU, CDFA™

Financial Consultant

California Insurance License #0G24537

 

612 Wheelers Farms Road, Milford, CT 06460

 

Phone:  203-877-6556 Ext. 169

Fax:      203-301-0736

Email: beth.botti@equitable.com

November/December 2024

When Should You Start Social Security Retirement Benefits?

When Should You Start Social Security Retirement Benefits

For many years, financial professionals have recommended that most people strive to delay taking Social Security benefits until age 70. The reason: Every year you delay starting benefits increases your eventual monthly check by 8%, in most cases. If you get your full retirement benefits at age 66, waiting until you are 70 will increase your monthly benefit by 32%.


Should You Delay Benefits?
If you have significant health problems that are likely to shorten your life expectancy, take benefits early. But, if you don't need Social Security income to live on, the conventional wisdom to delay starting Social Security benefits still makes sense for most people.


There are Multiple Reasons to Delay Benefits:

  • Social Security benefits are guaranteed by the U.S. government. Once your Social Security benefits are locked in, they aren't subject to market risk.

  • Social Security benefits have a built-in inflation adjustment. The government grants a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) each year, increasing Social Security benefits. Those COLA adjustments start at age 62, and you benefit from them whether or not you claim benefits at that time.

  • The 8% credit you can earn each year by waiting is significantly higher than current interest rates. It could be difficult for you to get that kind of return from ordinary investments – and it wouldn't be guaranteed.


Remember, there's no benefit to putting off benefits after age 70, when your benefit amount is maxed out. If you decide to retire at age 68 instead, you'll retain the 8% annual increase to date, however it accrues monthly, so your birthday affects the final amount.


Alternatively, if you start Social Security retirement benefits at age 62, the earliest age allowed, your checks will be 27% – 30% less than the maximum amount if you were born in 1960 or later.


Deciding when to start taking Social Security retirement benefits is a big decision that cannot be changed, so consult your financial and tax professionals in advance.


*Those born prior to 1943 may receive a slightly lower benefit by waiting. https://www.ssa.gov/ planners/retire/delayret.html

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Duly registered and licensed financial professionals offer securities through Equitable Advisors, LLC (NY, NY 212-314-4600), member FINRA,SIPC (Equitable Financial Advisors in MI & TN), offer investment advisory products and services through Equitable Advisors, LLC, an SEC-registered investment advisor, and offer annuity and insurance products through Equitable Network, LLC (Equitable Network Insurance Agency of Utah, LLC in UT; Equitable Network of Puerto Rico, Inc.). Equal Opportunity Employer - M/F/D/V. Equitable Advisors and its associates and affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice or services. Representatives may transact business, which includes offering products and services and/or responding to inquiries, only in state(s) in which they are properly registered and/or licensed. Your connection to this website does not necessarily indicate that the sender is able to transact business in your state. The information in this website is not investment or securities advice and does not constitute an offer. For more information about Equitable Advisors, LLC you may visit https://equitable.com/crs to review the firm's Relationship Summary for Retail Investors and General Conflicts of Interest Disclosure.

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CFP®, and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ are certification marks owned by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. These marks are awarded to individuals who successfully complete the CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.

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