What’s New With Social Security?

Before the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 passed, the Social Security Disability Insurance Trust Fund was projected to be depleted sometime this year. 

Congress shifted tax revenues from the Old Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund to keep disability benefits fully funded. However, Social Security still faces long-term shortfalls under currently scheduled funding and expenditures.¹ 

While Social Security disability benefits are a good backstop, you may wish to consider purchasing your own disability insurance, particularly if you’re self-employed. And since government disability benefits don’t kick in for at least five months (and even a private insurance policy may have a waiting period), you also should consider setting aside an emergency fund. 

If you’ve retired and are taking Social Security benefits, but also have other substantial income such as wages, self-employment, interest or dividends, you may owe federal income taxes on Social Security benefits. Joint return taxpayers with a household income between $32,000 and $44,000 could pay income taxes on up to 50 percent of benefits. If reported income is more than $44,000, you may have to pay taxes on up to 85 percent of your benefits.² 

If you’re receiving Social Security benefits but have not yet reached full retirement age, earning extra income could result in some of your benefits being withheld. For example, if you earn more than $15,720 a year, $1 in benefits will be withheld for every $2 in earnings above that limit. The year you hit full retirement age, both your earnings limit and benefit amount increase, and in the following years, there’s no limit on earnings.³ 

Last April, two strategies that had long helped married couples optimize their Social Security benefits came to an end: 

• File and suspend – file for spouse but earn delayed credits on their own benefit
• Restricted application – full retirement age beneficiary files for spouse only benefits 

However, the suspend strategy remains intact for divorced couples: If an ex-husband or wife decides to suspend his or her benefit, the ex-spouse can still apply for a derivative benefit if eligibility requirements are met.⁴ 

In other Social Security news, on July 7, Rep. Walter B. Jones (R-NC) introduced H.R. 5670: Social Security Guarantee Act of 2016. This bill, which was assigned to a congressional committee for consideration, is designed to guarantee the right of individuals to receive Social Security benefits in full with an accurate cost-of-living adjustment each year.⁵ 

Talk to a financial professional and a tax advisor about how Social Security benefits can fit into your complete retirement income strategy. We are able to provide you with information but not guidance or advice related to Social Security benefits. Our firm is not affiliated with the Social Security Administration or any governmental agency. 

Content prepared by Kara Stefan Communications. 

¹ Social Security Administration. 2016. “A Summary of the 2016 Annual Reports.” https://www.ssa.gov/oact/trsum/. Accessed Aug. 5, 2016.
² Social Security Administration. 2016. “Benefits Planner: Income Taxes and Your Social Security Benefits.” https://www.ssa.gov/planners/taxes.html. Accessed July 12, 2016.
³ Social Security Administration. 2016. “Fact Sheet.” https://www.ssa.gov/news/press/factsheets/colafacts2016.pdf. Accessed July 12, 2016.
⁴ Rachel L. Sheedy. Kiplinger. February 2016. “Government Spells Out New Social Security Rules.” http://www.kiplinger.com/article/retirement/T051-C000-S001-government-spells-out-new-social-security-rules.html#. Accessed July 12, 2016.
⁵ Congress.gov. July 7, 2016. “H.R.5670 – Social Security Guarantee Act of 2016.” https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/5670/text. Accessed July 12, 2016. 

We are an independent firm helping individuals create retirement strategies using a variety of insurance products to custom suit their needs and objectives. This material is intended to provide general information to help you understand basic retirement income strategies and should not be construed as financial advice. 

The information contained in this material is believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed; it is not intended to be used as the sole basis for financial decisions. If you are unable to access any of the news articles and sources through the links provided in this text, please contact us to request a copy of the desired reference. 

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