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5 Social Security Myths Debunked
As seen in Fidelity on August 4, 2021
Understanding how Social Security benefits work can be a challenge: There are a lot of rules, the formulas can seem complex, and making decisions with incomplete or incorrect information could end up costing you. That's why it's important to work with financial professionals to develop a Social Security claiming strategy for your overall retirement income plan.
Before you make decisions about claiming this valuable benefit, let's clear up 5 of the most common myths about Social Security that could undermine your ability to generate the income you’ll need in retirement to live the life you want.
Myth #1: You must claim your Social Security benefit at age 62
Some people think you have to start claiming your Social Security benefits at age 62. That's a myth: 62 is the earliest age you can claim your benefit, but it's not the only age to do so.
Your base benefit is calculated according to your "full retirement age," or FRA, and your FRA is determined by your date of birth. The Social Security Administration (SSA) calculates your base Social Security benefit based on your average indexed monthly earnings during the 35 years in which you earned the most (only the years that you paid Social Security taxes).
If you claim Social Security benefits any time before your FRA, you lock in a permanent reduction in monthly income. Claiming at 62 translates to a reduced monthly income of 25% to 30%, relative to your FRA monthly benefit. That means you may receive a lot less monthly retirement income, every year, for potentially several decades. A key consideration for when you claim Social Security benefits is maximizing your income for a retirement that could last longer than 30 years.
Wait until age 70 and lock in a "bonus":
Waiting to claim Social Security after age 62 comes with a bonus: roughly 8% additional monthly income per year for each year you delay claiming (up to age 70).
If your FRA is 66, your monthly income would increase 32% by waiting.
If your FRA is 66 years and 6 months (if you turned 62 in 2019), your monthly income would increase 28% by waiting.
If your FRA is 67, your monthly income would increase 24% by waiting.
Myth #2: You'll never get back all the money you put into the program
Everyone’s situation is different, but if you live a long time, you may collect more than you contributed to the system.
Due to the complexity of claiming strategies and number of variables involved, the SSA no longer offers a break-even calculator on its website. Social Security is designed to provide a safety net of income for the retired, the disabled, and survivors of deceased insured workers. The contributions you and your employers make during your working years provide:
Current retirees and other Social Security recipients with payments
A guaranteed lifetime income benefit when you reach retirement
While the government does not have a specific account set aside just for you with your FICA contributions (the taxes for Social Security and Medicare paid by you and your employer), one of the most powerful features of Social Security is that it provides an inflation-protected guaranteed income stream in retirement, ensuring against the risk you'll outlive your savings. Even if you live to 100 or more, you'll continue to receive income every month. And, if you predecease your spouse, your spouse also receives survivor benefits until their death.
Myth #3: My ex-spouse's actions could negatively impact my Social Security benefit
If you have an ex-spouse, you may be entitled to spousal benefits. If you were married for 10 consecutive years and have not remarried, and you've reached your FRA, you're entitled either to your own benefit or to 50% of your ex's Social Security benefit, whichever is higher.
If you wish to claim on your ex-spouse's benefit, make an appointment with your local SSA office and bring documents that prove the marriage and divorce. They will calculate your benefit options, and when you submit your claim, you’ll receive the higher benefit.
Tip: There's no need to discuss this with your ex-spouse, and your claim does not reduce or affect your ex's benefit in any way, and vice versa. It's your benefit, even if you've been divorced for many years. And, it may be larger than your own individual benefit.
Myth #4: Your benefits are based only on wages you've earned before age 65
How your Social Security benefit is calculated can seem mysterious. However, it’s important to know a few essential facts to aid your claiming strategy. You can use the tools on SSA.gov to do the calculations.
Your benefit is calculated based on your highest 35 years of earnings; they don't have to be consecutive years or before age 65.
If you work past age 65, those earning years will be included, so long as they are high enough to be part of your highest 35 years.
Even working part-time after turning 65 may be part of your highest 35 years of earnings.
To be eligible for Social Security, you must have a minimum of 10 years of covered employment (that is, employment periods during which Social Security contributions were made), which equates to 40 credits in the Social Security system.
If you don’t have 35 years with earnings, zeros will be included in the calculation.
Myth #5: You can claim early, then get a "bump up" once you reach full retirement age
Many believe there is a "bump up" or "added income" once they reach their FRA. They've heard they can claim early at 62, then when they reach 66 or older, their checks will increase to the amount that corresponds to their FRA benefit. That's a big misperception.
There's no bumping up of income once you've claimed your Social Security retirement benefit. However, anyone receiving a benefit can voluntarily "suspend" that benefit after they reach FRA and resume it as late as age 70. If they do, the annual benefit will increase by 8% per year of delay up until age 70. After that, you get an annual cost of living adjustment, but no increase in your base benefit, which will start automatically the month you reach age 70 unless you specify otherwise.
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