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When should I take Social Security?

How Much Social Security Can You Expect?

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How Much Social Security Can You Expect?

One of the first steps in planning for retirement is to get an accurate read on just how much income you can expect to receive from Social Security. The exact amount of your Social Security benefit will depend upon your earnings history and retirement timing. Although Social Security provides only about a third of a typical retiree’s income, it often serves as the foundation for calculating how much other income you’ll need and how much you’ll need to save.

The best and most accurate estimate of your future Social Security benefits comes from the Social Security    Administration (SSA). If you are age 60 or older, you should be automatically sent an annual statement showing exactly how much you can expect when you retire. If you are under age 60, you can access current estimates through the SSA’s My Social Security site. You can also access SSA’s online calculators.

Here is a summary of the different ways you can get accurate estimates of your Social Security:

  • Social Security Statements are mailed annually to anyone age 60 or older who has paid into Social Security. The statements include an estimate of your monthly benefit at full retirement age, based on your earnings history. They also show your earnings history – a year-by-year breakdown of earnings on which benefits are based. You can also request a statement by creating a personal my Social Security account. Once it’s set up, you can easily access updates and view your earnings history. You can also request a statement at any time by calling 1-800-772-1213 or contacting your local SSA office.
  • Retirement Estimator gives estimates based on your actual Social Security earnings record. The calculator shows results for early (age 62), full (ages 65-67 depending upon your year of birth), and delayed (age 70) retirement. The Retirement Estimator also lets you create additional “what if” retirement scenarios based on current law.
  • Other SSA benefit calculators help you estimate your Social Security benefits if you do not have an earnings record with Social Security or cannot access it. The calculators will show your retirement benefits as well as disability and survivor benefit amounts if you should become disabled or die. A variety of calculators are available that address different circumstances.

 

A recent report by the SSA suggests that a lot of Americans are not taking advantage of the free statements available to anyone who has paid into Social Security. According to the report, only 43% of registered my Social Security users accessed their accounts online in 2018, down from 96% in 2012.1

 

How much also depends on when you start collecting

If you want, you can sign up for Social Security benefits at age 62. However, you’ll receive less than your full benefit — somewhere between 70% and 75% — depending on when you were born. What’s more, if you are still working and make more than the yearly earnings limit ($17,640 in 2019), your benefit will be reduced by one dollar for every two dollars earned beyond that limit.

Wait until full retirement age (from 66 to 67 for those born after 1942) and you’ll receive your full benefit and face no earnings penalty. Sign up for benefits beyond full retirement age and your benefit will increase 8% a year until you reach age 70.

When you decide to collect will depend in part on how much you can expect to receive. So make a point of checking out one of the resources above.

 

 

1Source: Social Security Administration OIG, Issuance of Social Security Statements, February, 2019.

 

Because of the possibility of human or mechanical error by DST Systems, Inc. or its sources, neither DST Systems, Inc. nor its sources guarantees the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or availability of any information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information. In no event shall DST Systems, Inc. be liable for any indirect, special or consequential damages in connection with subscriber’s or others’ use of the content.

 

© 2019 DST Systems, Inc. Reproduction in whole or in part prohibited, except by permission. All rights reserved. Not responsible for any errors or omissions.

The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results. All indices are unmanaged and may not be invested into directly.  This article was prepared by DST Systems Inc. The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. We suggest that you discuss your specific situation with a qualified tax or legal advisor. Please consult me if you have any questions. LPL Financial Representatives offer access to Trust Services through The Private Trust Company N.A., an affiliate of LPL Financial.

To the extent you are receiving investment advice from a separately registered independent investment advisor, please note that LPL Financial LLC is not an affiliate of and makes no representation with respect to such entity. 

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Facts about an IRA

Brush Up On Your IRA Facts

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If you are opening an individual retirement account (IRA) for the first time or need a refresher course on the specifics of IRA ownership, here are some facts for your consideration.

IRAs in America

IRAs continue to play an increasingly prominent role in the retirement saving and investment strategies of Americans. According to the Investment Company Institute (ICI), more than one third of U.S. households owned IRAs in 2017. Traditional IRAs, the most common variety, are held by more than one quarter of U.S. households, followed by Roth IRAs and employer-sponsored IRAs (including SEP-IRAs, SAR-SEP IRAs, and SIMPLE IRAs).1

Contributions and Deductibility

Contribution limits. In general, the most you can contribute to an IRA for 2018 is $5,500 and it rises to $6,000 in 2019. However, if you are age 50 or older, you can make an additional “catch-up” contribution of $1,000, which brings the maximum annual contribution to $6,500.

Eligibility. One potential area of confusion around IRAs concerns an individual’s eligibility to make contributions. In general, tax rules require that you must have compensation to contribute to an IRA. Compensation includes income from wages and salaries and net self-employment income. If you are married and file a joint tax return, only one spouse needs to have the required compensation.

With regard to Roth IRAs, income may affect your ability to contribute. For tax year 2018, individuals with an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $120,000 (goes up to $122,000 in 2019) or less may make a full contribution to a Roth IRA. Married couples filing jointly with an AGI of $189,000 (goes up to $193,000 in 2019) or less may also contribute fully for the year. Contribution limits begin to decline, or “phase out,” for individuals with AGIs between $120,000 and $135,000 ($122,000 and $137,000 in 2019) and for married couples with AGIs between $189,000 and $199,000 ($193,000 and $203,000 in 2019). If your income exceeds these upper thresholds, you may not contribute to a Roth IRA.2

Deductibility. Whether you can deduct your traditional IRA contribution depends on your income level, marital status, and coverage by an employer-sponsored retirement plan. For instance:2

  • If you are single and covered by an employer-sponsored retirement plan, your traditional IRA contribution for 2018 will be fully deductible if your AGI was $63,000 or less ($64,000 or less in 2019). The amount you can deduct begins to decline if your AGI was between $63,000 and $73,000 ($64,000 and $74,000 in 2019). Your IRA contribution is not deductible if your income is equal to or more than $73,000 ($74,000 in 2019).
  • If you are married, filing jointly, and the spouse making the IRA contribution is covered by an employer-sponsored retirement plan, your 2018 IRA contribution will be fully deductible if your combined AGI is $101,000 or less ($103,000 or less in 2019). The amount you can deduct begins to phase out if your combined AGI is between $101,000 and $121,000 ($103,000 and $123,000 in 2019). You may not claim an IRA deduction if your combined income is equal to or more than $121,000 ($123,000 in 2019).
  • If you are married, filing jointly, and your spouse is covered by an employer-sponsored plan (but you are not), you may qualify for a full IRA deduction if your combined AGI is $189,000 or less. The amount you can deduct begins to phase out for combined incomes of between $189,000 and $199,000 ($193,000 and $203,000 in 2019). Your deduction is eliminated if your AGI on a joint return is $199,000 ($203,000 in 2019) or more.
  • If neither you nor your spouse is covered by an employer-sponsored retirement plan, your contribution is generally fully deductible up to the annual contribution limit or 100% of your compensation, whichever is less.

Keep in mind that contributions to a Roth IRA are not tax deductible under any circumstances.

Distributions

You may begin withdrawing money from a traditional IRA without penalty after age 59½. Generally, previously untaxed contributions and earnings are taxable at the then-current regular income tax rate. Nondeductible contributions are generally not taxable because those amounts have already been taxed.

You must begin receiving minimum annual distributions from your traditional IRA no later than April 1 of the year following the year you reach age 70½ and then annually thereafter. If your distributions in any year after you reach 70½ are less than the required minimum, you may be subject to an additional federal tax equal to 50% of the difference.

Unlike traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs do not require the account holder to take distributions during his or her lifetime. This feature can prove very attractive to those individuals who would like to use the Roth IRA as an estate planning tool.

 

This communication is not intended as investment and/or tax advice and should not be treated as such. Each individual’s situation is different. You should contact your financial professional to discuss your personal situation.

1Investment Company Institute, “The Role of IRAs in US Households’ Saving for Retirement,” 2017.

2Internal Revenue Service, Notice 2017-64.

Because of the possibility of human or mechanical error by DST Systems, Inc. or its sources, neither DST Systems, Inc. nor its sources guarantees the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or availability of any information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information. In no event shall DST Systems, Inc. be liable for any indirect, special or consequential damages in connection with subscriber’s or others’ use of the content.

© 2018 DST Systems, Inc. Reproduction in whole or in part prohibited, except by permission. All rights reserved. Not responsible for any errors or omissions.

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financial plan

Getting Ready for 2019

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Getting Your Financial Plan Ready for 2019

Last month I wrote about how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act could affect your year-end planning. Now I’d like to look at year-end planning from a broader perspective. This list should help you get your financial plan ready for the new year:

 

  • It All Starts With Saving…

    Whether you use Mint, a spending tool from your financial advisor, or a year-end report from your bank or credit card issuer, it’s important to track your spending habits. Having a handle on how you spent your money in 2018 will give you an idea of how you can save more in 2019. Sticking to a budget isn’t easy, so start by analyzing reoccurring expenses to find opportunities to save more. It could be cutting the cord (I switched to DirectTV Now this year!), switching to a family cell phone plan or reaching out to your insurance agent to review your policies.

 

  • Instead of Resolutions, Have a Plan…

    This is a good time to look at where you were last year at this time and see if you stuck with your financial plan. If anything has changed in 2018 that affects your long-term goals, this is the time to address them in your plan.

 

  • Make Sure You Have a Liquidity Plan…

    The rule of thumb is to make sure you keep three to six months of expenses in cash to act as an emergency fund. This may be too broad of an approach as everyone’s situation is different. If you take a lot of risk in your career you may want to hold more cash. A larger cash reserve could also apply to retirees that rely on their investments for most of their income.

 

  • Last Chance To Max Out Retirement Plan Contributions…

    The maximum 401(k) employee elective salary deferral for 2018 is $18,500. If you are age 50 or older, you can put in an additional $6,000 as a catch-up contribution. If you are a participant in a SIMPLE IRA plan, the maximum salary deferral is $12,500 and a $3,000 catch-up contribution can be made. The deadline for these contributions is December 31st. If you can put away more for 2018, contact your human resources department to see if more can be taken out of your last paycheck.

 

  • Make sure you take required minimum distributions (RMDs) from your retirement accounts…

    According to the IRS, you must take your first required minimum distribution (RMD) for the year in which you turn age 70½ by April 1st of the following year. After that first year, the distributions must be made by December 31st. Remember, required minimum distributions also apply to inherited IRAs. You must start taking distributions by December 31st in the year following the death of the original owner.

 

  • Is a Roth Conversion Right For You…

    Any money that you convert to a Roth IRA is generally subject to income taxation in the year that you do it. But over the long term, the money will continue to grow tax-free. It also won’t be subject to required minimum distributions (RMD) in retirement. Traditional IRA account owners should consider the tax ramifications, age and income restrictions about executing a conversion from a Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. Roth conversions must be done by December 31st. If you made any non-deductible contributions to a retirement plan or IRA in 2018, you may be able to convert those to a Roth without any additional tax consequences.

 

  • Review Your Investments and Harvest Tax Losses… 

    2018 has been a volatile year with many asset classes down year to date. You may be able to harvest some losses in your non-retirement investment accounts by offsetting them with realized gains. You can also realize up to $3,000 as a capital loss against your taxable income.

 

  • Making the deadline for a charitable gift… 

    Most charitable gifts must be postmarked or received by December 31st to qualify for a deduction. If you are retired and taking distributions from a retirement account, part of your RMD can be met by making a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). A QCD doesn’t give you a charitable deduction, but it counts against satisfying your required minimum distribution for the year. Therefore, it is excluded from your taxable income. Like your RMD, the deadline for this distribution is December 31st.

 

  • Deducting 529 contributions… 

    Prior to investing in a 529 plan, investors should consider whether the investor’s or designated beneficiary’s home state offers any state tax or other state benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors that are only available for investments in such state’s qualified tuition program. Withdrawals used for qualified expenses are federally tax free. Tax treatment at the state level may vary. Please consult with your tax advisor before investing. If you are in a home state’s plan that offers an income tax deduction on contributions, make sure you get your contribution in by December 31st.

 

  • Is Your Estate Plan Up to Date?… 

    Has anything changed in 2018 that would be a reason to make modifications to your will, health care proxy, or power of attorney? This is also a good time to make sure you have the desired beneficiary(s) on all of your retirement accounts and insurance policies.

 

  • Making the Most of Spending Accounts…

    For 2018, if you are in a high-deductible health-insurance plan, you can fund a health savings account (HSA). Individuals can put away as much as $3,450 before taxes, while families, can put away $6,900. Those age 55 and older can contribute an additional $1,000. You have until April 15th to fund an HSA. If you funded a flexible spending account (FSA) through your employer in 2018, you may have to spend down your balance by the end of the year. Unlike an HSA, FSAs typically don’t allow you to carry over much of a balance into the following year.

 

  • Should You Bunch Medical Expenses by Year End?… 

    For 2018, the adjusted gross income (AGI) floor was lowered to 7.5% and will return to 10% in 2019. Any medical expenses above 7.5% of your AGI can be itemized for deductions. To claim the deduction, you must have itemized deductions that exceed your standard deduction (which is now $24,000 for a married couple). You may consider covering some medical expenses before the end of the year that you were going to hold off on, if it will raise your itemized deductions above your standard deduction. Also, 2019 will be a more difficult year to claim the deduction since the AGI floor returns to 10%.

 

As always is the case, these suggestions are only intended to be used as general information and are not intended to be tax advice. You should always consult a tax professional before making tax planning decisions and work with a trusted financial advisor to help you make the most of 2019.

 

All the best in the New Year.

 

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member of FINRA/SIPC and investment advice offered through Stratos Wealth Partners Ltd., a Registered Investment Advisor. Stratos Wealth Partners, Ltd. and Lob Planning Group are separate entities from LPL Financial.

The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results. All indices are unmanaged and may not be invested into directly.

 

Stratos Wealth Partners, Lob Planning Group and LPL Financial do not provide legal and/or tax advice or services. Please consult your legal and/or tax advisor regarding your specific situation.

 

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Should I take a 401(k) loan?

Borrowing From Your 401(k)

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Why You Shouldn’t Borrow From Your 401(k)

It’s tempting. The money is sitting there in an account that is doing nothing for you right now. You may be years or even decades away from needing it. Why not put it to work for you now to buy a home, make a renovation, or pay down some debt? You are paying yourself back with interest anyway! Outside of an emergency event, a loan from your current 401(k) is probably not worth it. Here are 5 things to consider before taking out a loan:

Your retirement could suffer a setback. – The time you are repaying the loan could be spent building your retirement savings. You could also be missing out on potential gains that the loan amount won’t realize. This could be a huge opportunity cost when these gains compound over long periods.

Missing out on an employer match. – At least part of your monthly retirement contributions will now go towards repaying the loan. By replacing your elective deferrals with loan repayments, you could also be missing out on a company’s matching contribution.

A pre-tax contribution is now repaid with after tax dollars. – You may have initially made the contributions with pre-tax dollars but the money that you use to repay the loan will be after-tax dollars. When you retire, all distributions will be subject to tax even though money has been added back to the plan with after-tax dollars. You are essentially paying taxes twice on the loan amount.

What if you can’t pay it back? – If you don’t pay back the loan within the given repayment period, usually 5 years, the balance of the loan is an early distribution and becomes taxable. You could also be subject to a penalty, if you are under age 59 ½.

If you change jobs, the loan becomes due…even if you’re fired– If you leave your job, you’ll have to pay back the entire balance. Otherwise, it will be treated as an early distribution and you’ll pay taxes and potentially a penalty on the balance. This is even the case if you are fired from your job. You would have to pay back a loan at what may be the most inopportune time.

We are in an age of uncertainty surrounding Social Security and pension plans are being diminished in the workforce. Retirement savings will need to provide the difference to cover expenses. If you still decide that a loan is right for you, check with the administrator of your plan about associated fees. If you are still unsure, reach out and I can help you make this important decision.

 

Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual, nor intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax advisor.

 Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member of FINRA/SIPC and investment advice offered through Stratos Wealth Partners Ltd., a Registered Investment Advisor. Stratos Wealth Partners, Ltd. and Lob Planning Group are separate entities from LPL Financial.

 

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Should I downsize or move in retirement?

Housing Decisions in Retirement

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How Housing Figures Into Planning For A Longer Retirement

As featured in the Winter 2017 issue of Westchester Senior Voice magazine

In my work as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, I always discuss the topic of housing with my clients as they plan for retirement. Since, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics*, housing costs are the single largest expense for every age group – whether you’re 50, 60, 70 or older, we need to consider what makes sense as we approach, or are already in, the retirement years.

Evaluating housing costs is especially important given the fact that we are living longer and we may need to support an extended retirement. In Westchester County, we are also subject to the higher insurance costs, maintenance costs, and property taxes that come with higher home values. Certainly, if you’re still in your working years, paying off any remaining mortgage debt should be a priority.

Most people want to stay in their homes throughout retirement, but haven’t thought about all the costs involved. We may need to renovate to maintain our home’s value, household tasks may become more difficult – requiring the need to hire outside help, and we also have to consider modifications to keep our homes safe and compatible with our changing needs as we age.

Reevaluating your priorities may help you create the means to support a more fulfilling retirement. If you’re concerned about maintaining your lifestyle in retirement, given the potentially increasing costs of staying in your home, the rest of this article is for you.

The good news is there are plenty of options, especially when you consider that lowering your monthly expenses in retirement can be just as effective as an increase in income. One possibility, which may be difficult – but necessary – to consider is selling the family home.

For most of us, it’s not an easy decision to sell the home where we’ve created a lifetime of memories. But if you can get past that, the financial benefits could be considerable. Start with trading in those heating and lawn maintenance bills…and how about property taxes!

Selling your home and downsizing to a smaller one may not only lower your expenses, but could actually increase your income: the added liquidity from the home sale could be reinvested into a portfolio that could provide additional income.

Another option that may enable you to better afford your housing costs is to rent out extra space. Also, consider that home ownership is not always the best option for empty nesters. Housing decisions should take into account other factors: perhaps a move to a better climate or being closer to adult children and grandkids. Renting, for instance, allows you to test out a new community before you decide to purchase, and can save you unwanted costs in the future if you realize you made the wrong choice.

Whether you decide to buy or rent your next home, your objective should be to do it on your own terms: before a financial situation dictates the move. When choosing your next home, consider how you will maintain or build a strong social network and be able to do the things you enjoy. Having easy access to health care, dining, and the activities you enjoy are all important considerations. If a car is a necessity, what will you do if driving is no longer an option? The Westchester County legislature’s recent decision to allow ride hailing services, like Uber and Lyft, may make getting around easier and less expensive.

Being able to envision what will be important to you in a home during retirement and having a better idea of what your housing expenses might be is an important first step in planning for a successful retirement. Take the initiative and speak with a qualified professional who can assist you with your plan.

 

*Consumer Expenditure Survey, 2014, https://www.bls.gov/opub/btn/volume-5/spending-patterns-of-older-americans.htm

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member of FINRA/SIPC and investment advice offered through Stratos Wealth Partners Ltd., a Registered Investment Advisor. Stratos Wealth Partners, Ltd. and Lob Planning Group are separate entities from LPL Financial.

The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results. All indices are unmanaged and may not be invested into directly.

 

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