Читать книгу Social Security For Dummies - Peterson Jonathan, Jonathan Peterson - Страница 42
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR BENEFIT EARLY
ОглавлениеIf your Social Security benefit is reduced because you started it early, the reduction lasts for the rest of your life. Here’s an example: Frankie’s husband suffered a fatal heart attack, and she has to decide when to begin collecting her widow’s benefit. She is about to turn 60, and her full retirement age is six years away. If she waits until she’s 66 to start the benefit, she’ll get $1,140 per month. But if she takes the benefit now, that amount is reduced by of 1 percent for each month she starts prior to reaching full retirement age. Here’s a look at two of her options:
Take the benefit now. Frankie is 72 months away from her full retirement age, so she’ll receive percent less per month. So, $1,140 × 28.5 percent = $324.90, which means she’ll get $1,140 – $324.90 = $815.10 per month.
Take the benefit when she’s 62. In this case, her benefit is reduced by 48 months, so she’ll get percent less per month. So, $1,140 × 19 percent = $216.60, which means she’ll get $1,140 – $216.60 = $923.40 per month.
Frankie, who has been out of the labor force for years, knows that her skills in office administration will bring in only a modest income. She also knows that the individual retirement account her husband had set up has gained little over the past several years, and that he never qualified for a pension. Even though she prefers to wait for a higher payment, Frankie decides to start her Social Security widow’s benefit as soon as possible.
The decision of whether to start receiving your survivor’s benefit early is an individual one. You need to consider your entire financial picture in order to make the choice that’s best for you. Sometimes, taking the benefit early is a necessity — just make sure that if you go this route, you’re fully aware of how much your monthly payment will be reduced.
Getting remarried can end an adult’s survivor benefits, depending on the person’s age. If the widow or widower gets remarried before age 60, benefits can be cut off. (Benefits continue for surviving children.) Widows who remarry can qualify for benefits based on their new spouse’s earnings record when they reach 62.