Retirement Starts Today

Now is a great time to start financial and tax planning for the next year. To do so, you must first look at any changes that were made to tax laws. We’ll do that by exploring 2 articles from Forbes and CNBC which take a closer look at any imminent changes to the tax code. Then we’ll dive into the main segment with an article from Investment News which claims that fewer retirees are claiming Social Security at age 62. Listen in to hear if there will be any tax and retirement planning changes that affect you and to hear why fewer people are claiming Social Security early.  Outline of This Episode [1:42] Changes in tax planning for 2022 [5:12] Changes in retirement savings plans for 2022 [8:08] Fewer retirees are claiming Social Security at 62 Tax updates from Forbes Despite all the news media clamoring that there might be significant tax changes in 2022, there haven’t been many changes. According to an article from Forbes, marginal tax rates will rise slightly. The standard deduction will rise to $12,950 for individuals and $25,900 for married couples filing jointly. Capital gains rates remain unchanged for the next year, however, the brackets moved slightly to keep pace with inflation. Unfortunately, the charitable deduction that was available to nonitemizers in 2021 did not carry over to 2022. The SALT tax cap could possibly increase from $10,000 to a significantly higher number, but as of this recording, it is not yet official.  Retirement plan changes in 2022 Do you max out your 401K? I’m always shocked when I realize how few people actually maximize their savings. Only 8.5% of workers save the maximum allotted amount.  Even though the vast majority of people do not max out their 401Ks, savers will have the opportunity to save even more next year. The employee contribution limit for tax-deferred retirement savings plans will increase to $20,500 which is up $1,000 from 2021. On the other hand, Roth IRA limits will remain unchanged at $6,000.  So despite the dramatic headlines in the financial media earlier this year, very little has changed for tax and retirement planning from 2021 to 2022. We’ll keep you posted if anything new arises.  Fewer retirees are claiming Social Security at age 62 If you are curious about the effects of the baby boom consider this: the number of men who turned 62 has more than doubled between the years of 1997 and 2019. This shocking number makes it easy to be fooled by the number of people who claim Social Security early since the number of people who claim Social Security has risen, but when you look at the percentage of people who claim early the statistics have declined greatly. According to a study at Boston College by the Center for Retirement Research (CRR), the percentage of 62-year-olds who claim Social Security early at age 62 has decreased in the past 20 years.  How has the Covid pandemic affected Social Security claiming age behavior?  Although we won’t have hard data for another year, it looks like some older workers who lost their jobs may have turned to Social Security to help make ends meet. Early evidence shows that the effects of Covid have not pushed large numbers of people into early retirement. This could be because those most affected cannot afford to stop working. I’m encouraged that folks are waiting to collect Social Security and in doing so growing the guaranteed income portion of their retirement income. Hopefully, this is due to retirees actively making the decision to defer, rather than deferring because they are having to work longer. Whether it is planned or unplanned, deferring will result in a larger benefit for those retirees.  This is our last original episode of 2021 so that I can spend more time over the holidays with my family. We’ll close out the year with a list of my favorite episodes from 2021. Enjoy the holiday season, and we’ll meet again in 2022! Resources & People Mentioned Forbes tax article CNBC tax article Investment News article Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/ Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap Subscribe to the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

Have you ever filled out a questionnaire at your financial advisor’s office? If you have, it was probably a risk tolerance questionnaire. I have my own opinions about them, but you’ll have to wait until the end of this episode to hear what it is.  On this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll explore an article from AdvisorPerspectives.com written by Dr. Wade Pfau and Alex Murguia which argues that risk tolerance questionnaires (RTQs) don’t work. You’ll hear new retirement slang and acronyms as well as a discussion of retirement income sourcing.  Dr. Pfau has also developed his own tool to use that can help you select the best deaccumulation approach. Don’t forget to stick around until the end to hear my thoughts.  Outline of This Episode [2:22] How risk tolerance questionnaires are used [5:45] The different approaches [10:35] Two different styles [12:58] My personal criticisms of risk tolerance questionnaires What are risk tolerance questionnaires used for? RTQs are a tool that help financial advisors identify the amount of volatility that clients can handle in their investment portfolios. These tools generally consist of 9 questions and they are designed to establish a baseline so that the advisor can rank the investor on a scale of 1-5 from conservative to aggressive. These documents are especially helpful for advisors to stay compliant as they choose portfolio recommendations. Why retirement investing is different RTQs work best in the accumulation stage of people’s lives, but when it comes to retirement they fall flat. In retirement, a person must shift their way of thinking from accumulation to decumulation and this can be a challenging adjustment in mindset. Viewpoints on funding daily expenses inevitably change when one is completely dependent on living off one’s investment capital without the luxury of human capital to cushion the blows of a bear market.  Retirement brings added risks In addition to a change in mindset, there are unavoidable spending shocks that arise in retirement. This means that retirees need to consider how much of their assets they need to keep on hand for these unexpected events and market downturns.  Not only are there the everyday expenses that come along, but retirement brings on further risks. There is constantly the risk of outliving your money and becoming a burden to others since no one knows their own longevity. Another retirement risk is lifestyle risk. To maintain a comfortable lifestyle in retirement it is important to ensure enough discretionary income to fully enjoy retirement.  Why RTQs don’t work  RTQs work better for people in the accumulation stage of life because they weren’t designed to handle the broader questions that retirement brings. They can play a small role in helping to decide asset allocation, however, they cannot be used in place of a retirement plan.  It is important to come up with a retirement income strategy based on goals first. By beginning a retirement plan with a questionnaire you end up boxing yourself into a strategy that may not be in alignment with your ultimate retirement goals. Listen in to hear why I think RTQs are a poor excuse for proper retirement planning.  Resources & People Mentioned Boomer Benefits Why Risk Tolerance Questionnaires Don’t Work for Retirees The Mullet Episode BOOK - Paychecks and Playchecks by Tom Hegna Wade Pfau’s Retirement Researcher blog The American College Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/ Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap Subscribe to the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

Do you let news headlines affect your choices? The Center for Retirement Research at Boston College wanted to learn more about this question, so they conducted a study to find the answers. In this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll take a look at the findings of this study and analyze how people’s misconceptions can influence their life choices in retirement. After checking out the retirement headline, I’ll clarify a Rule of 55 question from Dave. Listen in to hear how headlines may be affecting your decisions. Outline of This Episode [2:32] Media coverage of Social Security could affect claiming age [7:21] Don’t let scary headlines plan your retirement for you [9:40] A tricky Rule of 55 question from Dave Do sensational headlines affect people’s retirement decisions? I found an article written by Emile Hallez at Investment News titled Media Coverage of Social Security Could Affect Claiming Age which piqued my interest since, as a financial advisor, this is exactly what I don’t want to hear.  In this age of social media, we are used to immediate gratification which means that many people don’t dig past a news story’s headline to learn more. The Center for Retirement Research at Boston College studied this phenomenon in relation to Social Security benefits and retirement age. Articles on Social Security often emphasize the trust fund depletion date which leads people to believe that the entire Social Security system is insecure.  Check out the episode where we recently reviewed an article similar to the ones shown in this study. How did people react to the experiment? To analyze how people reacted to headlines, researchers showed several types of headlines on Social Security to participants and then asked them a series of questions about their confidence in the Social Security system. The researchers studied how the type of headline affected people’s decisions regarding their own retirement plans.  They discovered that workers shown headlines that emphasized the Social Security depletion date decided to claim Social Security a year earlier than those in the control group. Learn more about how the study was conducted and the results by pressing play. Don’t let alarming headlines plan your retirement A careful retirement plan should be created based on what is right for you and your family. You’ll want to consider your financial future in the long term and how it will affect your life. Shocking headlines incite many to act on fear, but this would be short-sighted. Once you have a retirement plan in place, you can refer back to it when making any decisions about your retirement rather than a knee-jerk reaction.  Rules of thumb for claiming Social Security If you are listening to a retirement podcast, hopefully, you aren’t easily swayed by sensational Social Security headlines, but how should you plan on claiming Social Security? If you are married then I suggest deferring the larger benefit for as long as possible. You can collect the smaller benefit whenever you need the income. By deferring the larger benefit, you will be deferring income longer which will leave room to do Roth conversions if needed and the larger benefit will grow to serve the spouse that lives the longest. It doesn’t matter who earned the larger benefit because upon the first death the smaller benefit expires and the larger one continues.  Resources & People Mentioned Media Coverage of Social Security Could Affect Claiming Age Episode 210 - The Social Security Update  Forbes article on the Rule of 55 Check out Boomer Benefits for your Medicare needs Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/ Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap Subscribe to the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

Our chances of death are 100%, so that means at some point in your life you will probably experience the death of a loved one, and you’ll need to prepare for your own passing. Choosing the right executor can make a traumatic time more bearable. The role of executor is not an easy one, which is why it is important to choose wisely.  In this episode of Retirement Starts Today, you’ll hear an interview with executor expert, David Edey. David has recently written a book titled How to Pick an Executor and Avoid Family Fights. After listening to this interview you’ll be able to choose and become an exemplary executor.  Outline of This Episode [2:32] How to prepare your executor [4:37] Should you hire a 3rd party or ask a family member [10:15] How to be the world’s best executor [15:34] More about David’s book What you can do to prepare your executor David learned how to be a rock star executor from his own challenging family experience. It took him 7 years, 10 court appearances, and $50,000 in lawyers’ fees to settle his parents' estate and they both had a will! Everyone seems to know someone with an executor horror story which is why he decided to write his book. David wants to teach others how they can choose or be a fantastic executor. If you ask someone to become your executor, you must ensure that they have all the tools they need to perform their duty. Make sure to have an up-to-date will in place. Talk with your beneficiaries so that they know what to expect when the time comes. Your digital assets and files should be organized and easily accessible. No one wants to be looking around for missing paperwork when they are dealing with the loss of a loved one. Make it as easy as possible for the executor to get the job done.  How to choose an executor Families can fall apart when it’s time to settle an estate which is why it is important to carefully choose an executor. You could choose a family member, a friend, or a third party. If you choose to hire a third party there will be many fees involved. If you choose one of your children over another it is important to communicate with both the chosen executor and the other children to ensure that you help to keep the family harmony after you pass.  There is no one right way to choose an executor, but you should consider the health and age of the chosen executor. It is important to choose someone who can keep the dynamic that you want to set for the estate and that can get the job done.  How to be a fantastic executor If you have been chosen to be an executor you need to ask plenty of questions. It is important to understand where important documents, passwords, and information are. Insist that the will is up to date and that everything is labeled in an easy-to-find location. David’s book has a wealth of resources that can walk you through the process of being an executor. He explains the protocols for shutting down social media, bank accounts, and other online accounts. You can also check out David’s Executor Help podcast.  Family dynamics can fall apart when a loved one passes. Doing the proper preparations for your passing may be challenging now, but it will pay off in the long run. Doing so will ensure that you leave a legacy and not a mess.  Connect with David Edey How to Pick an Executor and Avoid Family Fights Executor Help podcast Executor Help on Facebook @DavidEEdey on Twitter Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/ Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap Subscribe to the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

If you are like many Americans who watch the news, inflation is probably on your mind. Since the Covid 19 pandemic began costs have been rising. We are still facing the effects of the supply chain breakdowns brought on by the pandemic in addition to extreme worldwide weather events.  These events have led to an increase in the price of goods on everything from fuel to food to lumber. This type of inflation can be stressful for the average working family but even more worrisome for those on the cusp of retirement.  Listen in to hear the latest Social Security news and learn how you can combat rising costs. Make sure to scroll down to the bottom of the show notes to access all the links mentioned in this episode.  Outline of This Episode [2:52] Good news about Social Security [4:26] How COLA is calculated [5:40] COLA may not be enough to keep up with inflation [9:28] What can we do to hedge for inflation? Recipients of Social Security are getting a raise If you are already retired and receiving your Social Security benefits, I have good news! The annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) will increase by 5.9% in 2022 which will boost the individual income of recipients by about $92. This is the largest increase in Social Security benefits since the 7.4% augmentation in 1983.  Over the past decade, the rise in COLA has been negligible, only averaging 1.65%. This minimal increase is due to the way COLA is calculated. This calculation is based on the change in prices of a market basket of goods as measured by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPIW).  Even with next year’s close to record-breaking increase, COLA may not be enough to truly combat inflation.  Are yearly inflation adjustments to Social Security enough to truly keep up with inflation? Despite yearly inflation adjustments, Social Security benefits have decreased their buying power by 32%. Even though COLA has increased benefits by 55% since 2000, senior citizens’ expenses have actually increased by 104.8% over this same timeframe.  This ThinkAdvisor article has a photo slideshow that illustrates 10 costs that older Americans have seen risen over the past 20 years. The article cites The Senior Citizens League (TSCL), an advocacy group, which is trying to change the way COLA is calculated. While TSCL supports legislation that could modestly increase COLA, you won’t want to wait for Congress to ensure that you can maintain buying power in retirement.  What can we do to hedge for inflation in retirement? Buying (and holding) stocks in the best companies in the world is the best way to hedge for inflation. The best companies in the world will hire the best employees in the world, and together they will figure out how to find efficiencies and raise prices which will provide you with positive returns and an increasing long-term share price, regardless of inflation. An allocation to 50-70% stocks should be plenty to keep your portfolio growing, which will grow your account balances over the long term and allow you to increase your monthly distributions. With this kind of diversified portfolio, you’ll be able to use your cash and bonds to weather the storms and ride out bumpy markets.  How are you planning to combat inflation in your retirement plan? Resources & People Mentioned 10 Fastest-Rising Costs for Older Americans Since 2000 Our November 2020 Medicare series Boomer Benefits AARP Social Security Increase article Basket of Goods definition The Senior Citizens League Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/ Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap Subscribe to the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

The end of the year is coming up right around the corner, and you know what that means: it’s time for end-of-the-year tax planning! However, this year’s tax planning may look a bit different with new tax legislation making its way down the congressional pipeline. Many wealthy individuals are nervous about what the current regime has in store for them. This is why when I saw the headline Tax Moves Advisors Should Be Making Before Year's End in Financial Advisor Magazine I knew I had to share it with my audience. If the news of the tax legislation has you worried, you won’t want to miss this episode.  Outline of This Episode [2:22] It’s time for year-end tax planning [8:53] Why you should donate to charity this year [12:44] How to offset future inherited income taxes [18:08] How a qualified charitable distribution could help with taxes Do you have tax-change proposal fatigue? Keeping up with all the changes in tax legislation over the past few years can be exhausting. It seems like once in a generation tax law changes happen every couple of years.  One of the most troubling things about new tax legislation is wondering when it will take effect. Will the new law come into play at the end of the year, or will the changes be retroactive? While this can cause a bit of worry there is no sense in speculating. There is only so much that you can do to prepare.  Realize more income now to be proactive about the potential tax law changes While we have no idea what the future might hold, we can still have the presence of mind to plan ahead. One way to combat a hefty tax bill next year is to accelerate your income now.  For instance, if companies typically give bonuses at the beginning of the next year, they could pay those bonuses out in December instead.  Another way to realize more income sooner rather than later is to close any business sales before the end of the year to lock those earnings in under the current tax law.  Enter into deduction mode if you are close to retirement If you are nearing retirement and you know your income will drop once you retire, you should be in deduction mode. Take advantage of HSAs and 401Ks rather than Roth IRAs to reduce your income and maximize your contributions between now and the end of the year  If your income decreases once you retire then you can start Roth conversions to mitigate the tax deductions you took when you had a higher income.  Year-end tax tips If you file the standard deduction, don’t miss out on the charitable deduction of $300 for singles and $600 for married couples.  If you are able to itemize your deductions and you are charitably minded, consider funding future years' charitable contributions through a donor-advised fund (DAF). If you have highly appreciated stock then you could use it to contribute to charity while also realizing a valuable tax deduction.  Another way to finish out the year is to anticipate your year’s earnings so that you can fill up your tax bracket with Roth conversions. This is a great way to take advantage of the historically low tax rates.  Worrying about future changes won’t help at all, instead, do what you can to take advantage of this year’s low tax rates to prepare for an uncertain future. Resources & People Mentioned Tax Moves Advisors Should Be Making Before Year's End Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/ Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap Subscribe to the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

Do you wish that you could have a mulligan when it comes to taking your Social Security benefit? Once you file for Social Security, it seems like your decision is set in stone. But what if I told you that you have options to reverse your decision?  In this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll explore an Investment News article written by one of my favorite Investment News contributors, Mary Beth Franklin. This article provides options for those who have remorse about the timing of their Social Security claim. In the listener questions segment, we’ll discuss Jerry’s question about his health insurance premiums under the Affordable Care Act and how they are affected by the 8.5% rule. This episode is jam-packed with helpful retirement information, so press play now to continue your retirement education. Outline of This Episode [3:02] 3 Social Security do-over options [8:25] Check out the Retirement Repair Shop podcast [9:24] Jerry’s ACA insurance premium questions [13:50] Clarification on the ACA 8.5% rule  There are 3 ways that you could reverse your Social Security timing Have you found yourself regretting the timing of your Social Security benefits claim? Maybe you wish that you had waited longer to receive a larger benefit or maybe your retirement timeline has changed based on the pandemic or other factors. If so, I have good news for you. There are 3 ways that you could reverse your decision.  There are many people that wish they could go back and change the timing of their Social Security claim, so if you are one of them make sure to listen to this episode to learn which choice might best fit your needs.  Withdraw your application You may not realize this, but you can withdraw your Social Security benefits application. Use form 521 to do so, but keep in mind that there’s a catch.  You’ll have to repay any earnings you or your dependents have received. Withdrawing your application can only be done once, but doing so will allow you to apply again later when your monthly check would be higher.  You’ll also want to consider whether you are already enrolled in Medicare. If you withdraw your application, your Medicare premiums will no longer be automatically deducted from your Social Security benefit, so you’ll have to find another way to pay.  Suspend your benefits If repaying your Social Security benefits isn’t feasible, then you might want to consider suspending your benefits. This way you don’t have to repay anything, however, keep in mind that not only will your benefits stop, but also this action will stop any benefits to a dependent family member. Your benefits would then start again at age 70. Listen in to discover why this may be a good strategy for married couples.  Request a lump sum payout Requesting a lump sum payout works only for individuals who have reached full retirement age. They can request a lump-sum payout of up to 6 months of retroactive benefits. This option would best be used by someone who has an urgent need for cash or for people who waited until after their full retirement age to claim either spousal or survivor benefits. After receiving a lump-sum payment, that person could then voluntarily suspend benefits and earn delayed retirement credits up to age 70 which would boost future monthly benefits.  Claiming Social Security seems like such a permanent decision so if life comes along and changes your plans it’s good to know that you have these alternatives to consider.  Resources & People Mentioned November 2020 Medicare series with Danielle from Boomer Benefits Boomer Benefits Retirement Repair Shop podcast with Mary Beth Franklin 3 Social Security Do-Over Options article Retirement Answer Man podcast Stay Wealthy podcast Financial Symmetry podcast Market Watch article on the ACA subsidy cliff KFF.org - resources for the ACA and other health matters Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/ Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap Subscribe to the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

 Do annuities give retirees a different attitude towards spending in retirement? In this week’s retirement headlines, we’ll examine an article that discusses the psychological benefits that retirees who shift their assets from savings to lifetime income enjoy. This group of retirees has more of a license to spend attitude and ends up gaining more enjoyment from their retirement savings.  Make sure to stick around until the end of this episode to hear my thoughts on the article. You’ll also hear me compare the advantages and disadvantages of using Cobra instead of the ACA before Medicare.  Outline of This Episode [2:42] 3 need to know bullet points about annuities [6:52] What do I think about using annuities? [12:12] Cobra or the ACA? Are you spending less than you should in retirement? Are you having a hard time loosening the purse strings in retirement? If so, you are not alone. Many retirees find it challenging to shift from a savings mindset to a spending mindset, so they find it difficult to spend their hard-earned savings even on the things they most enjoy. As a result, many retirees end up spending far less in retirement than they could. David Blanchett and Michael Finke at ThinkAdvisor.com recently wrote an article about the shift in mindset that annuities can provide.  Why do people purchase annuities? The biggest question in retirement is how much you can safely spend. Retirees are always at the risk of outliving their savings if they spend too much or they end up living a less enjoyable life if they spend too cautiously. For this reason, many decide to transfer the risk of an unknown lifespan to an insurance company that provides guaranteed income.  Do annuities provide a shift in the spending mindset? The authors of the article reference a study that discovered that people don’t spend more simply because they are wealthier, instead they spend more based on the form of wealth that they hold.  Households that hold more of their wealth in guaranteed income end up spending significantly more each year than those which hold a greater share of their wealth in investments. Retirees end up spending twice as much each year when they have guaranteed income. Every dollar of assets converted to guaranteed income results in twice the equivalent spending compared to the money that is left invested in an investment portfolio.  Are annuities the only way to shift your spending mindset? However, you don’t necessarily need an annuity to change your spending mindset. Behavior management and accountability are the most important aspects of retirement planning. If you can hold yourself accountable and adjust your spending habits when necessary you can come up with a successful retirement plan.  To achieve that, you need a plan that you can have confidence in. If you can create a financial plan in retirement that you feel confident in then you will be able to spend with confidence. One way to increase your confidence in your retirement income is to defer Social Security for as long as possible. By waiting until age 70 you can increase your benefit amount by 32%. What are you doing to create a successful retirement plan? Listening to this podcast can help you gain the knowledge and confidence you need to successfully plan your retirement. Resources & People Mentioned Boomer Benefits - Don’t miss out on the FREE 5 Easily Avoidable Medicare Mistakes download Boomer Benefits on Facebook Boomer Benefits on YouTube Think Advisor article on annuities Health and Retirement Study Guyton and Klinger original article Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/ Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap Subscribe to the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

 The annual Social Security beneficiary report was recently released and just like every other year that they release it, it has caused people to worry about their future. Social Security is a crucial, foundational element of most retirement income plans, so when you read headlines that it will run out soon how should you react?  Should you go about changing your retirement plans altogether? Should you file for Social Security early to ensure you get the most out of your benefit? We’ll explore these questions in this episode of Retirement Starts Today. Outline of This Episode [1:52] Will Social Security run out in 12 years? [4:44] How to fix the Social Security math problem [11:20] What you should do to prepare for a Social Security pay cut Covid has exacerbated the Social Security funding crisis The recent report released by the government was unsurprising to anyone who has been paying attention. This year’s statement revealed that the Social Security trust fund will ‘run out of money’ in 12 years which is one year sooner than previously anticipated. The time frame has been accelerated due to the Covid pandemic.  The issue of ‘running out of money’ is caused by a math problem. There are insufficient people entering the workforce to support the increasing number of baby boomers that collect Social Security each month. The record unemployment rates during the pandemic resulted in even fewer people contributing to the Social Security fund.  There is a myth that there are fewer people in the generations succeeding the baby boomers than there are in the baby boomer generation, but this myth isn’t true. There are actually more people in each of the generations that follow the Baby Boomers. So, the problem isn’t due to a lack of work-age people. It is due to a lack of funding. How to fix the lack of Social Security funding Before I continue, I need to address the wording that everyone uses surrounding the shortage in Social Security funding. It is commonly stated that Social Security will run out of money. However, Social Security cannot run out of money while workers continue to pay into it. The issue is that there won’t be enough income coming in to support the money going out to the beneficiaries. This means that there will be a reduction in benefits rather than a complete lack of funds. There are two ways that Congress could alleviate the Social Security funding problem. They could increase payroll taxes beyond the current $142,800 cap or they could increase the percentage of the 12.4% payroll tax that comes from each worker.  What you should do to prepare for a Social Security pay cut Hopefully, now you aren’t worried about the complete elimination of the Social Security program, but you may still be concerned about getting a Social Security pay cut in retirement. Many people feel pulled to file early so that they can get into the program as soon as possible. However, if there is a reduction in Social Security benefits those people will be taking a cut on an already reduced benefit.  If you wait until age 70 to collect your Social Security payment you will receive 132% of your original benefit. So if there does end up being a reduction in the Social Security program, then you will end up taking a cut on an increased amount.  What would you prefer--taking a cut on a cut or a cut on a larger amount? Don’t let sensationalist headlines dictate your retirement plans. Create your retirement plan based on your own unique needs. By maintaining a long-term focus you could end up saving hundreds of thousands of dollars in opportunity costs.  Resources & People Mentioned Boomer Benefits Boomer Benefits Youtube channel Boomer Benefits Facebook Group CNBC article on Social Security US News article on Social Security Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/ Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap Subscribe to the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

Have you been feeling the pull to retire? This feeling isn’t constrained to those nearing retirement age; many people have been feeling the desire to quit their jobs lately. So many workers are considering a job change that this wave of people has begun what is called “The Great Resignation.” I read about this phenomenon on The Guardian website in an article written by Elle Hunt. Elle considers 17 questions that you should ask yourself before you make the leap into the unknown. If you have been contemplating retirement or a job change you won’t want to miss this episode. Outline of This Episode [2:02] 17 questions to ask yourself if you are ready to quit your job [4:53] What do you actually want to do? [8:08] What could you gain by quitting your job? [12:55] You can’t bootstrap your mortgage Attitudes surrounding employment are changing A recent survey indicated that over 40% of people have considered a job change this year. This trend could be a byproduct of stress brought on by the pandemic, but it could be due to a global shift in mindset which has led to a changing shift in employment priorities.  Have you considered retiring early or leaving your current job? If so, you’ll want to make sure that you ask yourself these questions before making any rash decisions. 17 questions to consider if you are ready to quit your job What are your frustrations? Before you up and quit, you’ll want to ask yourself why you really want to quit. What are the underlying causes of your dissatisfaction? Make sure to go deep in your thinking since your first thought is rarely the true reason for your unhappiness. To explore this question further write down every thought and feeling you have surrounding your job for 10 days.  How did you get to where you are now? Reflect on what led you to your current job and what brought you to it in the first place How long have you been feeling this way? Were you unhappy before the pandemic or is the feeling more recent? Consider whether your feelings are pandemic related. If so, this could mean you are actually seeking more control over your life. You may simply feel burned out and need some time off. What do you actually want to do? How do you want to live your life? Who do you want to be? These questions cut to the core and ensure that you explore your values. You may find that your unhappiness runs deeper than your career choice. How would your perfect day be different than it is now? Coming up with your perfect day can also help you explore whether you are ready to eliminate all work-related activities. If so, you may be ready to retire.  What do your friends and family say? Use your support system as a sounding board for your thoughts. What would you be giving up by quitting? If you are thinking of retiring early, think about the costs of healthcare before Medicare and other stabilizing factors that your job brings.  What would you gain by quitting? Try to steer clear of revenge retirement. It may lead you to a situation that you can’t come back from. Your negative feelings might pass, so don’t box yourself into a corner.  Have you explored every option with your employer? Try negotiating. You may be able to work out reduced hours, higher pay, or other changes in your workplace. Should you wait until you’re back in the office to make a decision? Be clear with your own needs and desires when considering this question. Should you quit due to a toxic boss? It can be challenging to see a toxic relationship while you are in the thick of the situation. A toxic work environment could mean that it is time for a change. When should you quit over stress? Is stress causing you to lose sleep, enjoy time with your family, or negatively affect your downtime? If your job adversely affects your life and health then you’ll want to assess why you feel stress. Are your expectations realistic? Can you actually leave your job? Can you afford to cover your expenses? If you can’t, then you may need to stick it out a bit longer. Could caring less help? Try setting boundaries in your workday. Define your values and step away from work when needed. and define values.  Is now the right time? You can empower yourself by filling in the gaps. Why can’t you make a decision? Set a decision date so that you don’t let your indecisiveness drag on. Resources & People Mentioned Boomer Benefits Ready to Quit Your Job from the Guardian Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/ Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap Subscribe to the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify