Taking Social Security Early Vs Waiting With Inflation

racecar
  |     |   616 posts since 2014

Wanted to do some calculations about taking Soc Security early (62) vs waiting until Full Retirement (67) and had a couple questions. Though I won't have to worry about this for many years, there are things I'd just like to know for the future. (Please don't turn this political, I'm just looking for answers, thanks).

First, I realize: It's always better for wait to full retirement (or more) if you can. -If you need the money to survive you don't have the choice. -SS is indexed for inflation. -Who knows if there will be changes to SS.

That said...

(1) Retiring early vs full (67): How much increase (%) each year is it in those "early retirement" years from 62? I read somewhere that for each year you wait it's 8% more but it didn't say if that 8% figure was for years someone delayed after full retirement or for the years before full retirement. And for years 62-67 is it the same % increase each year, or does the amount change the closer you get to full?

(2) Am I correct that your SS amount only gets indexed for inflation once you're actually taking it, not before you start? Example: Say SS estimates if George takes his SS in 20 years with no additional contributions then his SS will be $1k/mo. Say George stops working (so no more contributions are made) but inflation is 3% every year over the next 20 years. 20 years from now when George starts taking it, will it still be $1k/mo for him?

Is there a good online calculator that will show taking SS early vs waiting until full (or later!) that will let you plug in an inflation amount as well?

milty
  |     |   1,672 posts since 2018
Based on what I currently know:
1. I believe your retirement benefits grows about 8% per year for each year you wait after age 62 till you reach age 70.
2. I believe inflation is calculated into your estimated benefits before you start, and of course after you start as well. You can download your SS statements which will show your estimated benefits. Also good to check that your earnings are accurately recorded.
Ally6770
  |     |   4,290 posts since 2010
Milty,
Actually it is 8% a year after 66, unless they changed the law. If you wait you also will be collecting for fewer years. Sometime it works out to collect early but not always and sometimes it is better to wait.
It is a good idea to check that all of your employers you had throughout your lifetime that they sent in your FICA taxes and you were credited with the funds and they were recorded correctly. I worked 2 jobs in a bank and as a twp treasurer. I was a twp treasurer for 23 years and worked at the bank for 30 yrs. At one time we were not required or allowed to pay FICA taxes even though we had no retirement through our twp. When it passed that we had to pay it, the board would not fill out the paperwork. They did not like taxes of any kind. THey were part of the miltia and that is why I ran when the treasurer retired. Becasue there had been embezzlement in the past, I made out rules for out twp. after I was elected for all checks that I would write, and I was the one with checks and on all the accouts. The clerk checked the bills, and signed each, and the trustees signed the bills next, the voucher was made out by the clerk and signed by the supervisor and I made out the checks. The clerk had the vouchers made out waiting for the trustees to sign the bills and when he did the supervisor would sign the voucher and I would make out our paychecks. All but the clerk crossed out the FICA taxes, the supervisor signed it and I did not make out their checks. The voucher was signed with no withholding that they crossed out and none were subtraced from out checks. No voucher to the gov was signed. They tried to tell me they were my boss and to make out their checks. I said read your little red books you are not my boss. I did not make out the checks. After everyone left and we were getting ready to leave the board told me to make out their checks. I said no. I will not do anything illegal. The tape recorder was still running. So then they wanted to sign the voucher. I said it doesn't make any difference if you do it now. The meeting is closed. You cannot open another meeting without posting it, advertiseit in the paper stating the reason for the special meeting in the paper and on the post. Checks were made out once a month. No one on the board were paid that month. They were not very smart. They tried to do a lot of things that were not legal so I took my son's taper recorder with me and plugged it in and taped all the meetings. They told me to stop taping and of course I would not. They actually made a motion "NOT TO TAPE" AND THEN THEY ALL VOTED NO. They didn't even realize that they voted their own motion down. I tried to explain to them what they did and they couldn't even understand it. This was a pharmacist, a business owner, a farmer, and one who worked for the gas company.
A few years later even though I sent in the check with my paperwork to the gov
for the FICA taxes, the supervisor did not send in his paperwork and I found out when I checked my SS statements a few years later. I called SS and she told me to just send in the proof if I had the cancelled checks and my 1099's. I had the canceled checks that I wrote to them and I received credit for those few years before I retired. I sent in the copy of the check for each month and a copy of my 1099's from both the job as treasurer and the bank for each of those years.
They fixed it before I retired from the bank. I never told the rest of them on the board so they never got credit for it because I kept all the records at my house and no one asked for them. All but 2 are dead now and I think of it quite often but I never told them. But it wasn't for a lot of years because I campaigned against them and played the tapes of when they tried to do things illegal going door to door. We had a decent board I had to quit one of my jobs when it took more time to care for my disabled husband. We actually had a CPA voted in as clerk.

The original were part of the militia and that is why I ran, I wanted to get them replaced. I did, all but one and he was a pharmacist and on the school board. But he got fired for double billing employers insurance and Medicare would pay it when they were in the hospital. He was caught. He did not lose his license in the trial but was fired. No one would hire him and he bought a pharmacy about 15 miles away. He sold it when he retired and he and his wife bought a motor home and went to Arizona for the winter. When they came back they banked where I worked and came to me with a large stack of unemployment checks for each of them to add up and deposit for them. I prepared their deposit and double checked the amount, and gave them a tape also and deposited them. I was bonded and insured at the bank and twp. You have to report everything that you think or know is illegal. I made copies of all the checks and sent it registered mail to our state capitol. My state rep told me who to mail it to. They had to pay it all back. Not sure if they were fined or not. They lived down the street from me. I should say that the wife did not work at the pharmacy, in the drug store that they bought but she had unemployment checks also.
milty
  |     |   1,672 posts since 2018
Hi Ally6770, Thanks for the info. Yes, it is definitely a good idea to make sure SS has the right earnings data reported, especially if it is less than the actual. ;-)
mariafalter
  |     |   167 posts since 2010
If you choose to take benefits earlier than normal retirement age, your benefit amount will be permanently reduced:
• 5 / 9 of one percent per month (6.67% per year) for each month before normal retirement age, up to 36 months.
• 5 / 12 of one percent per month (5.0% per year) for each month before normal retirement age, exceeding 36 month.           
If you choose to delay until later than normal retirement age to start your benefit, the amount will be permanently increased:
• 2 / 3 of one percent per month (8% per year) for each month after normal retirement age, up age 70.

SS amount gets indexed for inflation after you reach 62.
racecar
  |     |   616 posts since 2014
Thanks -- with that info I was able to google to find some more pages with that specivic info.

So if I understand it correctly, wages earned from ages 18-62 do get indexed for inflation at age 62 using final inflation figures at age 60 (2 years before one is first eligible at 62). But any work done from age 62 on is not indexed for inflation. (I hope I'm understanding that correctly?)

And thanks for clearing up the percentage question: that 8% is for delayed years after full retirement. For early retirement it's the figures you stated above.

Here's a webpage converting it to percentages in a chart (early vs waiting until 67) if done in exact years:
62= -30%
63= -25%
64= -20%
65= -13.3%
66= -6.67%
https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/how-much-do-americans-who-claim-social-security-early-actually-get-e...

Google AI says: "Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) are applied to benefits from the year you turn 62, even if you don't start receiving payments until later. If you choose to start receiving benefits before your full retirement age your monthly payment will be reduced, but the COLA will still apply to your reduced benefit."

If that's the case then I'll probably be less inclined to take it earlier unless circumstances require it. What I was originally worried about is inflation eating away at the buying power of the SS amount in the years between when one could start early (62) and full retirement (67). Still quite a ways off, but good to know this stuff.

Thanks for everyone's help.
mariafalter
  |     |   167 posts since 2010
You might find this website useful https://ssa.tools/
choice1
  |     |   370 posts since 2023
One very important factor to consider is do you want to have some/all of your Soc Sec be subject to federal income tax and at what stage of life? One option to minimize that is deferring Soc Sec and take other taxable assets/income first!
Ally6770
  |     |   4,290 posts since 2010
Also read about IRMAA, and plan for when one parter passes. It makes a difference for your Medicare premium. So far about the only income that does not count is the part of SS that is not taxable and also Roth income. The higher the income the higher your Medicare premium and when single that income in 50% of married amount before the higher Medicare premium starts.
racecar
  |     |   616 posts since 2014
Good points to consider, absolutely true, it may not always pay to wait, with life expectancy and chance (a colleague younger than me just passed away), investing, and other factors. All valid points to consider when the time comes. I just wanted to know the rules in order to make the best decision and plan somewhat. I'll have a modest pension too (not indexed for inflation) but unlike SS's gentle curve upwards to full benefits, the pension's curve jumps sharply right at 65 so more likely to wait to 65 (what the pension considers "full") for that. This is still a ways off, but at least now I know how SS's indexing and COLA work when thinking about the future.
Rickny
  |     |   1,296 posts since 2017
I read a book a few years back regarding social security. He basically said SS is an inflation adjusted annuity and that is something you never see. The higher your SS payments are, the inflation adjustment is on that higher rate. He also said that waiting to 70 to collect is like insurance that you will live to an advanced old age to have more funds to survive.
Each circumstance is different and things can change. My wife and I are waiting at this point. She earns the max into SS so she most likely won't start collecting till 70.
milty
  |     |   1,672 posts since 2018
Maybe already mentioned here, but another consideration if starting SS before reaching FRA is that if you continue to work your retirement benefit may be reduced depending on your earnings. However, once you reach FRA then it is restored. So, the ideal for those with longevity and love their job is to wait till 70 and continue to work. And yes as PD suggested you can also spreadsheet it out to determine the breakeven point regarding your longevity. And of course the other consideration is the impact on receiving SS to your taxes, since it still is taxable.
Ally6770
  |     |   4,290 posts since 2010
Milty, The social security office will print out each of the scenarios for you or they did when I had the choice of collecting on mine or 1/2 of my husbands check but this was many years ago. They did the 62 right on out to 70. I made my first appointment about 6 months before I made my decision to collect early. I chose to take mine early and continue working with a lot less hours and I had a few more years to fund both of our IRA's and to grow my pension and 401k and still collect SS and to use part of it to pay the $700 a month for one of my husband's prescriptions instead of $160 for 3 months with our insurance when they were threatening to kick us out of our healthcare when Part D went into affect.

We in the end did not kicked out because of a google alert I read in my emails and sent out 500 letters to the employees with result of a SC ruling from an Ohio ATT lawsuit and the workers getting kicked out of their insurance but somehow for some reason I think the lawsuit was in PA. It had to do with the Reagan 1987 tax cut and rulings with workers that their benefits were postponed because of the 2nd recession and something that had to be in the minutes of a board meeting in the early 90's about the insurance for the retirees on Medicare, the retirees or those on disabilitly under 65 and workers. If not in the minutes they had to keep the employees over 65 and on Medicare and they company could be used as a supplement.

When I went over the income allowed every year, I called SS and they arranged to take what I think was $1 out for every $3 I made over the allowed amount out my check.
The hours I worked, and the additional wages took the lower years off my SS earnings report from years when I was very young and made my social security check even higher the following year along with the COL. each year until I fully retired from my job.

My boss did not want me to retire and they did many things to keep me working, I picked my own hours and days I worked, even picking me up with chains on the truck tires when I couldn't get out of our 700 foot driveway when the plower hadn't plowed our driveway or road out yet. They put in a phone at home with a red button for my husband to push so that it rang where I worked and I could see what was needed. I was 5 minutes from home and they would say go home, come back if you can and if not we will take care of your work for you.

The young ones at the SS ofice and recent college graduates in the Social Security office are amazing. They will explain it all to you when you go into the office with an appointment. They will print out each scenario, explain each to you, high lighting the important differences with different colors and allow you to take all the print outs home with you and use them for reference. They give you their extention to call them with any questions you may have later. You could leave a message if they were with someone and they would call you after hours.
In fact when I tried to call the ss office this year to get info for my niece for her mother who is the POA, I was cut off twice and I was 3 hours waiting before being disconned etc and called our local office number where the 800 number is suppose to go to and a man answered right away, I asked me my questions for my neice and he told me what she could do herself and how she could do it with out going in to the office they were trying to sent her to and if she needed to go to an office to call him and he would get her in the closer office and she would not have to take a day off work. He told me how and what she could do without going into an office unless he wanted to. They had told her she had to drive an hour to the office in her county when the one by me is 20 from where she works.
I think when you are 70 you can make any amount and still collect SS and your benefits are not cut. Not sure about the age now, the rules are always changing.
But now after 65 you have to pay attention to IRMAA if you are on Medicare but at least the limit is now pegged to the rate of inflation and is not stuck at the same amount for years.
belko
  |     |   165 posts since 2021
Lots of good information here, and many things have already been covered.

I wanted to add some data and thoughts about what is sometimes fearfully called the “SS End-Game”, and how that might partly impact someone's decision about waiting vs. not waiting. For many years we've read dire news articles that prominently list date predictions of anywhere from 2032 to 2035, for when the SS trust fund reserves will be depleted. Contrary to the belief of many, that doesn't mean benefits will stop then.

“What the 2024 Trustees’ Report Shows About Social Security“ -
“2035 is the 'headline date' in the trustees’ report because that is when the combined Social Security trust fund reserves - that is, the excess contributions it has collected and invested in Treasury bonds over the past three decades - will be depleted. At that point, if nothing else is done, the program could pay about 83 percent of scheduled benefits, mostly out of workers’ ongoing contributions, and that figure that would slip to 73 percent in 75 years. Contrary to popular misconception, benefits would not stop.”  https://www.cbpp.org/research/social-security/what-the-2024-trustees-report-shows-about-social-secur...

Still, a shortfall of 17% which over 75 years slowly grows to 27% is not negligible. What can or will be done?

Keep in mind the demographic shifts over the last several decades. People are living longer than ever (although that curve is not going up as sharply as it did, say, 10 years ago, it is still rising). The US birthrate has plummeted, which although not good for the nation, has had the effect of creating an abundance of older people. Finally, older people are considerably more likely to vote than other age groups. All these factors combine to create a powerful senior voting bloc which is very interested in SS sustainability.

Let's say you have 2 mythical groups of people, reasonably close in size. Each has its own ideas about Federal taxation and distribution of funds, and each group has different opinions about several issues. But regardless of that - can either group ignore the massive senior voting bloc when allocating Federal funds? Doubtful. To me, it's highly likely that the interests of this voting bloc will be compelling no matter which group is in power. To a degree, demographics tru**s poli***s.

Now, none of this is really actionable for people on an individual basis, and part of it is opinion. But it makes me a bit more optimistic about the future of SS, and perhaps a little more inclined towards the “waiting” point of view, for those who can afford to do that.
CDMD
  |     |   141 posts since 2022
I’ve done quite a bit of research on this for myself and while not an expert here goes. One additional key point that no one has yet raised ( I don’t think I saw it) SSA will take the highest 35 years of earnings in years you had qualifying social security earnings to calculate your benefit. If you had less than 35 SS earning years they will enter zero earnings into your calc for each year less than 35 years. This will materially further lower your potential benefit. You should consider if you chose to retire early say 62 do you have 35 SS earning years yet? If not the reductions noted are worse than quoted by other posters. Also if you have already achieved 35 earning years but if any years are really low earning years in your history you can replace those low earning years with higher earning years by continuing to work. Perhaps past age 62. SSA will take the highest 35 years doesn’t matter when they are in your work history. It may be a bit complicated but there are some great websites to help you model your decision.
CDMD
  |     |   141 posts since 2022
Other questions you asked. Yes all your prior SS earnings are indexed up till age 62. Inflation adjusted is not limited to only benefits past age 62.

The second part of your question is tricky based on how you asked it. If you use the SSA website for benefit calculations projections. The benefit projection it provides at age 62, 67, 70 are not adjusted for inflation between age 62 and age 70 but does include the reductions for retiring before FRA or the benefit for waiting post FRA.
Ally6770
  |     |   4,290 posts since 2010
One more point. If your birthday is on the first day of the month you can will get credit for even getting Medicare the month before you are 65. So if your birthday is on Oct. 1 and 65 you can start Medicare and get SS in September but get credit for SS for Oct. At least that is the way it was when I retired.
racecar
  |     |   616 posts since 2014
Good point about the 35 years. For me though, I do have 35 SS years already. 3 early years are pretty low and will probably be swapped for somewhat higher-years during the next 3 years, but other than that I'm generally working less now than I used to, so working past 62 at current level probably wouldn't help on that front.

"there are some great websites to help you model your decision."
If you know of them offhand, feel free to post them!
CDMD
  |     |   141 posts since 2022
I personally worked extra years to get 35 max Ss earning years. Thus eliminating early low below Ss max earning years with later earning years that were above max Ss years. I hope to be one of the max Ss payment benefactors. If the congess doesn’t mess up funding Ss post 2033 or whenever it’s supposed to run afoul of under funding.
IGR
  |     |   580 posts since 2020
It all depends on the context.
from the point of view of straight calculous it takes about 11 years to recover the loss of the unpaid benefits... longer if unrealized gain is computed in.
There, to beat SS at its own game one have to live well into 80, close to 90 to be sure.
Then your bet is paid off and additional benefits spent mostly on diapers... cost of which adjusted with inflation or tariffs.

from the point of view of another extreme, some may want not make a life expectancy bet.

and somewhere in-between there are some that would rather enjoy the benefits while they can and deal with the consequence latter on if they happen to to have long and senile life.

without the context the issue comes down to "simple" math;
would one rather has extra $30K at 65 and spend it taking grandkids to Disneyland, OR
$50K at the age of 85 and spend it paying down grandkids student loan, and only if one can, because there is a possibility that all extra benefits is relinquished to nursing facility.
catlover0908
  |     |   7 posts since 2024
According to the SS website, estimates are shown in today's dollars and are updated each year based on inflation.
Ally6770
  |     |   4,290 posts since 2010
The budget was just passed in the house earlier this morning. Now to the senate and then they will put in their changes and and then the vote for the final bill.
As it is now 490 billion will also be taken from Medicare. A few short years from sequesteration from a 1970's law, cuts from SS will be made.
No one knows for sure when the SS cuts will be made. Medicaid cuts will start in Jan as it is written now. Final restrictions and votes have be taken before the end of June or the treasury will have no more areas to put IOU's in the differernt funds they have been borrowing from Bessent (the sec of treasury) said in his last letter to congress and no one will get paid.
So those that currently are on SS or planning for retirement you can start to plan as this process gets settled.
A person can follow this on C-Span even on reruns on your computer or phone or about it after the final version passes or watch it in real time. If just the tax cuts were eliminated for those with income over $500,000, no cuts in Medicaid or SNAP benefits would have to be made.
belko
  |     |   165 posts since 2021
Looks like a few had to stray into politics despite racecar's request to "Please don't turn this political". Despite the attempts of others to virtually walk on eggshells to try to avoid it ...
Ally6770
  |     |   4,290 posts since 2010
My post had to do with the budget affecs with SS benefits and getting your check. Have you read the letter from the Sec of Treasury to Congress. They are running out of places and funds to put their IOU's in. They are running out of money. The higher tax receipts from last year has pulled them out so far. There was not as many non filers that they expected like in the 2017 tax year. This budget has to be done before July 4th or there is more likely there will be no money and nothing will be going out in July or August the letter said. It has been on the business magazines, newsletters, national newspapers and also the gov websites with their reports.
If the budget goes over the deficit spending there will be cuts in SS of 4% by a 1970's law by sequesteration. This is not expected yet but it will happen. To save money they are not even paying Medicare payments out to many non profit hospitals including all the ones in Hawaii since Jan. Look at the Treasury reports on line.
Ally6770
  |     |   4,290 posts since 2010
I could have missed it if someone posted this, but you can also be on SS and work. There is a limit you can earn up to age 70 I believe and that amount gets higher each year. If you earn to much I think you pay back $1 for every 3 you make more that is allowed. This may work for some people. I would still be working, I believe, if I didn't have to retire and care for my husband as he got worse.
I don't work now but still talk at senior gatherings and help the college kids that work in the stores in the summer where I shop. I live by 3 colleges in my town.
At Costco they call me the coupon lady even though I do not shop with coupons.
Ally6770
  |     |   4,290 posts since 2010
I forgot to mention that while working it adds to your life time earnings that you earn and can in some circumstances make your following years SS check be larger above the COL addition.
IGR
  |     |   580 posts since 2020
"adds to your life time earnings" does NOT GUARRANTY that anything ADDS to Your Life time SPENDING
Ally6770
  |     |   4,290 posts since 2010
Adding to your life time earnings, may add to your SS check and therefore adds to the amount you have for spending. That is what happened to me when I collected and continued to work part-time to help with the cost of my husband's prescriptions. It eliminates your lower earning years.
racecar
  |     |   616 posts since 2014
What's the general turnaround time like for getting benefits once you decide to take SS? Say someone decides to wait to FRA but then something happens and they need to start taking benefits asap. Is the process relatively fast or does it take months? My pension plan advises 3-4 months notice before you want to start collecting your pension. What's SS like?
Robb
  |     |   322 posts since 2018
Racecar…my brother applied in January of 24 and just got his approval letter in April of 25. To make a long story short he ended up having to go into the SS office to confirm his identity in November of 24 and reapplied the same day. So since then it took him 6 months to get his 1st payment.
Ally6770
  |     |   4,290 posts since 2010
Yes that is what you had to do after the new administration changed the rules. If your brother had signed in the his SS account on line before that he could have done it on line or after they changed the laws back again. I believe that a person can do most things on line now if they have or had that accout on line. I have not kept up on the address changes on line though. They had changed that you could not. SS didn't accept the Post office change of address.
That is what happened to my niece when she found out the gov doesn't accept her POA for her mother. You have to sign in and put in your SS rep on your account and then change the address but when she tried in Feb when there was no 1099 from SS, you had to go into the office. Her mother didn't even have a computer and doesn't use text or emails on her phone. I believe the owner of the account can do that now on line and not go into the office or maybe even the personal representative When I called the SS office the end of Jan and several times in Feb to try to get info for my niece so she didn't have to take another day off work I was disconnected several times, and on hold for 3 hours another time than disconnected, I finally called the number to my local office instead of the 800 number that they told you not to do. The 800 number is suppose to transfer you to your local office it never did. Just put me on hold. The local number answered right away, answered my questions so my niece did not have to take another day off work and drive an hour to her county office with a bunch of notoraized papers. He said if what he told me to tell her she couldn't figure out and didn't work for her to call him. He said to have her mother near her to answer any questions when they signed her up. He said if she and her mother couldn't do it and needed to come in to call the office that is 20 minutes from where she works and near me. He said she could come to the office near me that is 20 minutes from where she works instead of going to the one in her county one hour away. I told her and they were able to do it on line the way he told me to tell her to do it. One thing she was having trouble with and called me on another phone and I got on the computer and walked her through it.
The SS office has also hired back some of the employees now and you can do some of this stuff on line yourself again now after they changed the law back if you have a SS account on line. If you are not computer literate have someone close to you do it with you.
The SS office sends out emails daily if you sign up for them or you can go to their site and get the emails or you can google but put in the brower first " The Latest information On" before the question when you do a search and look at the date of what you click on so you don't get something they changed and then changed back. When the new commissioner has to google what his job is, you know it is still a learning site. He is the 4th SS commissionr since Jan. He has been approved, the others were acting commisioners.
So make sure your brother has an online account and has put in at least one person as a SS personal representative. If he has a POA the SS office will not accept that. Same with an address change unless so they can change that also of the DD if you are not able to do it. I know you had to go it for an address change and they did not accept the post office change and had to do it going into the office. I think if you have an account you or the personal reprentative can do it. Not sure.
The reason I know that is becasue her mother did not get her 1099 for SS. They had changed her address at the post office last summer and when I called SS for her and then called my local office he told me that.
After my husband passed I put both of my children on and either one can make changes if and when a situation is necessary. I also have it printed out and in their notebooks next to their POA that they have been able to do since 1995 if they so choose or I choose to have them do something for me. It has been available to them to do stuff for me and also for my husband if I was not able it. All they have to do at the banks or credit unions was to bring the POA, though some have their own papers to sign now, or fax in a copy. But I think they could do it on line also on my computer because their finger prints are scanned it. I will have them try it when they come and we don't have a bunch here. But now with the account many things can be done on line because they have their finger prints scanned into my computer and the passwords will automatically fill as long as the long sign ins work. I also have a password book with each sign in and password that if for some reason the passwords won't open up or auto fill they can type it in.

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