Did you know that the age at which many workers will qualify for full Social Security benefits has risen to 67 from 65? If that’s news to you, you’re not alone: The majority of workers are still in the dark about Social Security eligibility requirements and many expect to qualify for benefits payments sooner than they actually will.
Combined with lingering questions about the long-term financial health of the overall Social Security program, these facts reinforce the importance of understanding exactly what you might expect from Social Security during your retirement.
Benefit Basics
The exact amount of your Social Security benefit will depend upon your earnings history. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), your benefits will be there for you when you retire. However, the SSA also acknowledges that some changes to the present system may be required.
For example, when Social Security was created, the average life span was less than 65 years. But today, many people are living longer, healthier lives. And because the nation’s 76 million baby boomers are in or approaching retirement, there will be almost twice as many older Americans in 30 years as there are today.1
What’s in Store?
Ideally, Social Security takes in more in taxes each year than it pays out in benefits. However, based on SSA projections, by 2034, the Social Security trust fund will be insufficient to allow for full payment of scheduled benefits. Recognition of these issues is growing, and legislators are now looking at funding and investment options to resolve them.2
While your Social Security benefits are an important piece of the retirement income equation, you probably shouldn’t plan to rely on Social Security alone for your future income. Your employer-sponsored retirement savings plan, company pension, and personal savings may need to provide the major portion of your income in retirement.
To accurately incorporate social security into your retirement plan
Source/Disclaimer:
1Source: U.S. Census Bureau, “Projections of the Population by Sex and Age for the United States: 2015 to 2060,” 2014.
2Source: Social Security Administration, “Fast Facts & Figures About Social Security,” 2015.