Diminishing Risks to Retirement Financial Security by Taking SS at 70

Neoliberal Attacks on Social Security notwithstanding, one important risk is large time horizon during which you need support from your investments.

There is one way to make this time period shorter: to continue part time working till 70 and take Social Security at the age of 70. In this case you need modest savings with total sum that is know in advance. Which is realistic to save even if you lose your job at age of 60.  From this moment and until 70 you can rely on you saving plus part time job. At 70 you will get max possible Social security check (and half for your spouse, if you have one) which provide modest standard of living even if you do have personal savings at all.

Let's assume that you need to support yourself  for 10 years period and your supplementary income is just $12K. Assuming 3% interest in this case you need something like $530 to to get to 70 with total $72K annual income.

Moreover this supplementary income permits some of us to realize untapped in regular work potential. So this not only about maximizing the Social Security pension. People do miss their jobs - even jobs they hated. I have never seen statistics, but my experience suggests at least 50% of those who quit without another job regretted the decision.

One discussion list posted a note from a 40-something woman who had chosen enjoyable, low-paying jobs in the personal growth field. Now she was ready to move on, with no nest egg to fund a career transition.

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• 20150901 : Social Security strategy Boost lifetime payouts with the spousal benefit ( Social Security strategy Boost lifetime payouts with the spousal benefit, Sep 01, 2015 )

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[Sep 01, 2015] Social Security strategy Boost lifetime payouts with the spousal benefit

Couples have two key claiming strategies to boost the power of the spousal benefit, which is worth up to 50% of a spouse's monthly benefit. One is called "file and suspend," in which the higher earner immediately suspends his benefit so the lower earner can take a spousal benefit. The other is known as "restricting an application," in which the higher earner files for a spousal benefit, even though his own benefit is larger.

SEE ALSO: 9 Worst Social Security Mistakes You Can Make

Both strategies enable a beneficiary to delay his own retirement benefit, allowing it to earn 8% annual delayed retirement credits until age 70. To use these strategies, a beneficiary must be full retirement age.

With these strategies, couples can get the best of both worlds. "You get some income in your sixties and you let the higher earner's benefit grow to the maximum," says Judith Ward, senior financial planner for T. Rowe Price.

A major goal is to maximize the higher earner's benefit. If the higher earner dies first, the lower earner will qualify for a survivor benefit worth up to 100% of the higher earner's benefit. But it doesn't really matter which spouse dies first, because the higher earner's benefit "will last until the second spouse dies," says William Reichenstein, a professor of finance at Baylor University, in Waco, Tex., and a principal of consulting firm Social Security Solutions.

The difference between the size of the couple's benefits is key in determining which spouse takes what benefit when. "The amount of the benefit itself and who's the higher earner matter," Ward says. Even a few dollars' difference in benefit amounts between the two spouses can be important over the long term.

When to Employ Which Strategy

We asked Reichenstein to run the numbers for three hypothetical couples to show the different ways the spousal benefit can be used to maximize lifetime benefits. In each case, the higher earner is delaying his benefit until 70, and the lower-earning spouse is waiting until full retirement age to claim the spousal benefit. (If she claims before full retirement age, the benefit will be less than 50% of the other spouse's benefit.)

The spouses in each hypothetical couple are the same age. The wives are expected to live to 90, while the husbands are expected to live to 85. We assume the husbands are the higher earners, each with a full retirement age benefit of $2,200. The wives' full retirement age benefits vary. (Results could change if the spouses are not the same age.)

Disparate earners. In this case, the wife's full benefit is $500. Couples whose benefits differ widely have a relatively easy claiming decision. If the low earner has little or no earnings, the higher earner can file and suspend, says Thomas Wiggins, a certified financial planner with Rehmann Financial, in Farmington Hills, Mich.

A spouse can't claim a spousal benefit until the other spouse claims his. With this strategy, the higher earner files for his benefit and then suspends it. That enables the lower earner to claim a spousal benefit. And by suspending, the higher earner can allow his own benefit to grow until he collects it later -- perhaps at age 70.

Avoid These Costly Social Security Mistakes Play video

This is the best strategy for this couple, Reichenstein says, because the wife's spousal benefit of $1,100 is much larger than her own retirement benefit. Even if she delayed her own benefit until age 70, it would only be $660. The strategy also provides the couple with $350 more per month between the ages of 66 and 70 than if the wife had claimed her own $500 benefit and the husband had restricted his application to get a $250 spousal benefit.

At age 70, the husband will get $2,904 (plus cost-of-living adjustments) -- $704 more than if he had claimed his own benefit at 66 without suspending. And the wife will continue getting her $1,100 spousal benefit.

Unequal earners. In this scenario, the wife's full benefit is $1,000. As the gap between benefit amounts shrinks, the best strategy is not clear-cut. It's critical to calculate all possible strategies.

Say the wife claims her $1,000 benefit and the husband files a restricted application to receive a $500 spousal benefit. That gives the couple $1,500 a month. At age 70, the husband takes his boosted benefit of $2,904, and she switches to a spousal benefit of $1,100, for a total of $4,004 a month.

But Reichenstein says the couple can do better with another strategy. At age 66, the husband files and suspends his benefit. The wife restricts her application to a spousal benefit, enabling her own benefit to grow. (If she had simply claimed a spousal benefit without restricting her application, she would not be able to allow her own benefit to grow.) They will get $400 less a month for the first four years. But the couple ends up doing better, Reichenstein says, because the wife "can grow her own benefit past her spousal benefit."

Social Security Strategies for Widows and Widowers Play video

At age 70, both spouses switch to their delayed benefits -- hers of $1,320 a month and his at $2,904. That gives them a total monthly benefit of $4,224. This strategy increases the couple's total lifetime benefits by $20,400. The lesson: Couples should consider this route if the lower earner's benefit with delayed retirement credits exceeds her spousal benefit, Reichenstein says.

Equal earners. In this case, the wife's full benefit is $2,000. For couples with a narrow benefit gap, the best strategy may be for both spouses to delay their benefits, with one spouse restricting an application to a spousal benefit at full retirement age. Since both spouses in this case are the same age, the one receiving the higher spousal benefit should file a restricted application.

The husband files and suspends his benefit. The wife files a restricted application for a spousal benefit of $1,100 a month. That will give the couple $52,800 for the four years they have to wait to switch to their boosted benefits. At age 70, he switches to his boosted benefit of $2,904 and she steps up to her delayed benefit of $2,640. That gives them $5,544 a month.

When deciding how to best employ the spousal benefit, consider using online tools to run the numbers. One tool is T. Rowe Price's free Social Security Benefits Evaluator (www.troweprice.com/socialsecurity). For more personalized help, you can use a paid service such as Reichenstein's Social Security Solutions (www.socialsecuritysolutions.com).

[Aug 27, 2015] Is your financial planner getting rich at your expense

5 things to think about on your journey to retirement

May 04, 2015

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Deji Akintoye: Figuring out how much you need to accumulate gets to the heart of the matter: the dollar amount you'll need to "afford" retirement.

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By looking at a few factors (including your age, the amount you save, and your anticipated rate of return), you can project whether you're on track to meet your savings goals. The key is to set realistic expectations for retirement and create a plan.

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Kahlilah Dowe: I've heard people say that retirement starts to seem "real" when it's about 5 years away. This can be a good time to think about how much income you'll need to make your vision of retirement a reality.

... If your portfolio will be your primary income source, it may be smart to invest more conservatively to preserve the value of your portfolio.

... focus on your asset mix. The level of risk you take on should correspond with how much your investment portfolio will have to shoulder the weight of supporting your daily living expenses in retirement.

... ... ...

Jane Simpson: For some investors, retirement means transitioning to a life of relaxing and spending-from a life of working and saving. In the midst of the transition, consider how your lifestyle changes can potentially impact your finances.

Using projected fixed expenses (costs that are the same every month) and discretionary expenses (costs that cover wants rather than needs), come up with a spending strategy to balance your expectations with your limitations.

Although it's prudent to plan ahead, it's also necessary to remain financially flexible-you can make a plan based on what you know right now, but you have to monitor your actual spending and make adjustments as needed. I encourage all newly retired clients to remember that the first few years of retirement are often about fulfilling lifelong dreams (like relocating or taking a trip of a lifetime), so it's unlikely that subsequent years of retirement will include the same expenses. It's okay to take some time to figure it out.

Julie Edwards: About 5 years after you retire, consider asking yourself whether or not retirement is what you thought it would be. Compare the vision you had for retirement with the reality of being retired. But before you place the blame on your finances for any unmet expectations, review your budget. Is your spending on track?

If you're overspending, you can either supplement your income (by getting a job) or reduce your expenses. Because you're on a fixed income, it's a good idea to periodically review your discretionary expenses and potentially give up or cut back on a membership, an activity, or a recurring expense that isn't crucial to your happiness.

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[May 11, 2015] Avoid Fraud

May 11, 2015 | FINRA.org

Even if you have never been subjected to an investment fraudster's sales pitch, you probably know someone who has. Following the legendary Willie Sutton principle, fraudsters tend to go "where the money is"-and that means targeting older Americans who are nearing or already in retirement.

Financial fraudsters tend to go after people who are college-educated, optimistic and self-reliant. They also target those with higher incomes and financial knowledge, and have had a recent health or financial change. If you believe you've been defrauded or treated unfairly by a securities professional or firm, file a complaint. If you suspect that someone you know has been taken in by a scam, send a tip.

To entice you to invest, fraudsters use high pressure and a number of "tricks of the trade." Here are some common tactics:

• The "Phantom Riches" Tactic-dangling the prospect of wealth, enticing you with something you want but can't have. "These gas wells are guaranteed to produce $6,800 a month in income."
• The "Source Credibility" Tactic-trying to build credibility by claiming to be with a reputable firm or to have a special credential or experience. "Believe me, as a senior vice president of XYZ Firm, I would never sell an investment that doesn't produce."
• The "Social Consensus" Tactic-leading you to believe that other savvy investors have already invested. "This is how ___ got his start. I know it's a lot of money, but I'm in-and so is my mom and half her church-and it's worth every dime."
• The "Reciprocity" Tactic-offering to do a small favor for you in return for a big favor. "I'll give you a break on my commission if you buy now-half off."
• The "Scarcity" Tactic-creating a false sense of urgency by claiming limited supply. "There are only two units left, so I'd sign today if I were you."

Protect yourself with these strategies:

• End the conversation. Practice saying "No." Simply say, "I'm sorry, I'm not interested. Thank you." Let them know you'll think about it and get back to them. Have an exit strategy so you can leave the conversation if the pressure rises.
• Turn the tables and ask questions. Before you give out information about yourself, ask and check.
• Talk to someone before investing. Be extremely skeptical if the salesperson says, "Don't tell anyone else about this special deal!" A legitimate professional will not ask you to keep secrets. Even if the seller and the investment are registered, discuss your decision first with a family member, investment professional, lawyer or accountant.
• Take your name off solicitation lists. To reduce the number of sales pitches you receive, use the Federal Trade Commission's National Do Not Call Registry.

FINRA offers an array of information and resources to help you outsmart investment fraud.

1. Red Flags of Fraud
   Knowing the important warning signs of financial fraud puts you in charge.
2. Ask and Check
   Ask the right questions and verify the answers before you work with an investment professional or buy an investment product.
3. How Social Pressure Cost One Family $30,000
   It's often hard to resist an investment tip from someone in your social circle. Before handing over any money, you need to check out the investment and the person selling it.
4. Spot a Scam in 6 Steps
   Financial fraudsters use sophisticated and effective tactics to get people to part with their money. Here are six steps you can take to help you spot an investment scam.
5. Investor Alerts
   Don't be taken in by these frauds and scams. Learn how to protect yourself and your money.

More

• Risk Meter
  Use our Risk Meter to see whether you share characteristics and behavior traits that have been shown to make some investors vulnerable to investment fraud.
• Scam Meter
  In just four questions our Scam Meter will help you tell if an investment you are thinking about might be a scam.

[Aug 05, 2013] Columbia Economist Dr. Jeffrey Sachs speaks candidly on monetary reform

Level of corruption of the system is just staggering...

From the event at the Philadelphia Fed on April 17th, 2013 (04/17/2013) conference segment "Fixing the Banking System for Good" .

[Feb 02, 2013] Social Security The Cheapest Annuity in Town by Alicia Munnell

This is probably the only reasonable way to buy annuity; otherwise you can emulate annuity by putting the savings in Roth account and investing in mixture of Tips and junks bonds portfolio.

Yahoo! Finance

Yahoo/SmartMoney

The Center for Retirement Research at Boston College has just released a new study that shows that the best way for people to turn their 401(k) balances into a stream of income is to "buy" an annuity from Social Security. Many people don't recognize that Social Security is in the annuity business, but it is and it has the cheapest product in town.

As more people approach retirement with 401(k) plans as their only supplement to Social Security, they face the challenge of how best to use their accumulated 401(k) assets to support themselves once they stop working. They could invest in safe assets and try to live off the interest, but the value of the assets would erode as prices rise and interest income would fluctuate as nominal interest rates rise and fall. They could invest in a portfolio of stocks and bonds and draw out some percent each month, but to avoid outliving their assets that draw is now about 3 percent. They could take some of their money to an insurance company and buy an annuity, but commercial annuities tend to be expensive because they are designed for people with above-average life expectancy and involve considerable marketing costs.

[Related: What's a Realistic Retirement Age?]

A much better alternative is for the household to "buy" an annuity from Social Security. They can make this "purchase" by using their savings to pay current expenses and delaying claiming to get a higher monthly benefit at an older age. The savings used is the "price" and the increase in monthly benefits is the annuity it "buys."

For example, consider a retiree who could claim $12,000 a year at age 65 and $12,860 at age 66 – $860 more. If he delays claiming for a year and uses $12,860 from savings to pay the bills that year, $12,860 is the price of the extra $860 annuity income.[1] The annuity rate – the additional annuity income as a percent of the purchase price – would be 6.7 percent ($860/$12,860). Remember that Social Security benefits are indexed for inflation, so the retiree is buying a real annuity. Vanguard – a wonderful company – also sells real annuities but it pays much lower rates.

The reason that Social Security annuities are a better deal than those in the private market is that Social Security can offer a product that is actuarially fair – they are based on the life expectancy of the average person (not those people whose parents lived into their 90s) and Social Security doesn't have to worry about marketing costs or profits. Moreover, in this period of very low rates, Social Security is an especially good deal because the increase in benefits is not based on current rates but rather is a basic feature of the system. So buying an annuity from Social Security, especially in today's low interest rate environment, is the best deal in town.

So read the study and tell your friends with some 401(k) assets to use them to delay claiming their Social Security benefit.

Alicia Munnell, the director of the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, is a weekly contributor to "Encore.

The Joy of Not Working A Book for the Retired,Unemployed and Overworked by Ernie J. Zelinski

Way too simplistic. People are social animals, and organizations are our herd. It's tough to be outside the herd. But if the current workplace is a hell it is your duty to survive and espcape. Creating a war chest early to survive possibly long (a year or more) period of unemployment is a must. And if frugality is the price, so be it.

Amazon.com

Dr Cathy Goodwin TOP 500 REVIEWER VINE™ VOICE

Not working is not always joyful April 29, 2007

Believe it or not, I have the soul of a lazy person. I have enjoyed time off from 6 weeks to a year. I've enjoyed freedom in my work, especially now. So I totally understand the joy of Not Working.

Zelinski's book has many things going for it. For example:

(a) Too many of us are workaholics.

(b) We need structure, purpose and a sense of community, with or without a job.

(c) Work smart, not hard ("peak performance").

(d) The checklist on page 54 can be a wake-up call.

(e) We can gain several hours a week if we give up television.

But as a career consultant I am concerned about the book's core advice. Page 55: "The first day your job does not nourish and enthuse you is the day you should consider leaving. Indeed, I advise you to quit." --[That's simply stupid, ridiculous advice, that discredit the author -- NNB]

Pretty strong stuff! In my experience, few jobs provide daily nourishment and enthusiasm every day or even every week. I would say, "If you've outgrown your job, begin a search for alternatives. Don't do anything until you have a plan."

People do miss their jobs - even jobs they hated. I have never seen statistics, but my experience suggests at least 50% of those who quit without another job regretted the decision. One discussion list posted a note from a 40-something woman who had chosen enjoyable, low-paying jobs in the personal growth field. Now she was ready to move on, with no nest egg to fund a career transition.

Job dissatisfaction actually can be a misleading signal. Many people who seek a career change actually need to relocate geographically or work on relationships.

My biggest criticism of the book is the potentially misleading presentation of information. For example, the author mentions "a research study conducted in 2001 by Florida's Nova Southeastern University" which found that over 38% of stockbrokers making $300,000 - $1,000,000 suffered from "subclinical depression" while 28% reported "clinical depression." (Overlap? Additional? We're not told.)

Most studies are conducted by individual researchers, not universities or even departments. The author does not cite his source or indicate whether this study was actually published in a reputable peer-reviewed journal.

How was this sample of brokers chosen? What methods were used to assess "subclinical depression" or "clinical depression?" Was the depression long-term or situational? Was this study carried out in 2001 before or after 9/11? Where's the cause and effect: does the field attract individuals with a propensity to depression?

Other studies are mentioned but not cited or described in detail. For the Schnore study of retirees, I'd want to know how their satisfaction was reported and tested.

Additionally, throughout the book, Zelinski presents letters from readers. He seems to suggest that, "If these folks can do it, you can too."

But nearly all his examples come from people who took only the very first step: quitting or deciding to retire. On page 96, Zelinski writes, "Perhaps you will [say]...married people can't possibly quit their jobs like Ian did. Then go back to page 57 and read the letter [from a married man with 2 kids who quit his job]...Case closed!"

Unfortunately, the letter on page 57 was written by someone who had just marched in to his boss and quit. We don't know what happened afterward. Case not closed, in my opinion!

We do get a few examples of success: a professional who became a music busker in Toronto, someone who moved into a friend's trailer to live on $6000 a year, someone who travels cheaply, and several people who saved a stash of cash and now live comfortably from investments or a spouse's salary. Many readers (and most of my clients) will not relate to those examples.

We should also realize Zelinski writes from Canada, a country with national health care. It's not perfect, but it does open up career options. Those happily unemployed are subsidized by taxes from those who face a 50% tax bracket at surprisingly low salary levels.

I also believe that not everyone will enjoy a life of hobbies and volunteer work. Working for money gives you an edge, changing your thoughts, habits and conversations. Zelinski himself is neither unemployed nor retired: he is a full-time writer. His four-hour-a-day schedule is actually quite typical of professional authors of books. I once heard best-selling mystery author Jon Kellerman speak about writing 3 pages a day. Zelinski aims for four.

Bottom Line: Joy of Not Working is worth skimming to experience a philosophy that can be adapted to many lives. Unfortunately, the adaptation will be up to you.

Erik Olson September 9, 2004 TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

"The Joy of Not Working" is a welcome antidote to the workaholic mentality. A former engineer, Mr. Zelinski dropped out of the corporate rat race in favor of "The Life of Riley." He does what he loves (consulting, speaking, and writing) to make a living [ I wish we all can do it and have a bread on the table -- NNB], and indulges in leisure the rest of the time. That doesn't mean he loafs around all day watching TV or playing video games. He discourages such empty distractions in favor of well-rounded activities like learning another language and volunteering at a homeless shelter.

Mr. Zelinski makes an excellent case for living a full life free of regret. [Oh, yes, how we never though about it; this way we peobably would never marry and have children --NNB] I liked his positive attitude and constant motivation towards discovering and embracing my passions. His examples of persons who left a dreary job in favor of pursuing their dream occupation might be just the prodding some folks need to make their own leap (a similar book had that effect on me, and earned my eternal gratitude). Overall, the book's lighthearted tone and numerous applicable quotes were uplifting, and every chapter brightened up a break or lunchtime at work (although displaying a book with this title on your desk might upset a Bill Lumbergh-type manager). My favorite part was his short section on becoming an author. Every aspiring or discouraged writer should keep it handy as a pick-me-up.

However, the Life of Riley is a subjective thing, and finding your version of it might take some time and testing. Yes, it would be ideal to immediately discover and make a living in one's passion twenty hours a week. However, it may take awhile to actually discern your calling and develop it into a viable occupation. Until then, having a decent job that provides time and funds for investigating potential passions off-hours doesn't suck. Indeed, that place in life can serve as a transitional period to test the waters while preparing for the risk of a deeper plunge. But if the thought of showing up to work makes you want to take a hostage, then it's time to jump ship right now. From experience, I can second Mr Zelinski's claim that it's worth it in the long run.

Unfortunately, anyone who's not Western and single might find the Life of Riley difficult to achieve. I'm an American singleton, so I have the luxury of finding myself without having to worry about supporting a family, where my next meal is coming from, or if another car bomb will explode in my neighborhood this month. I doubt that a minimum-wage earner with a spouse and two young kids to feed or a woman who lives in Iraq would be able to imitate Mr Zelinki's lifestyle. Perhaps in those situations the Life of Riley will need to be redefined.

At any rate, "The Joy of Not Working" is a great read that provides a much-needed reality check for the average 9-to-5 person. FYI: I've checked out a couple of Mr. Zelinski's other books, and there's some repetition between them. For example, this one and "How to Retire Happy, Wild, and Free" are different in focus, but often similar in content. Keep that in mind before making your purchase sight unseen.

George Fulmore

Possibly The Most Positive Book Ever Written on Retirement December 26, 2000

The following is a review I did years ago of the first edition of this book. There are later editions that are not out of print, so the book is still very much in print and I still highly recommend it. It think Zelinski is the best there is when it comes to writing about retirement in a positive, helpful light. George Fulmore.

As an instructor in adult education on the subject of retirement, I have looked for books on the subject that cover the major areas of retirement in a positive vein. I think The Joy of Not Working is an absolute classic. I use it as the basis of my class, and I get nothing but positive feedback from those who buy it and read it. As a start, it is clear that retirement is not for everyone. Many people will hate it or not even consider it for various reasons. This book is not really meant for them. It is for the rest of us who are looking for reinforcement and encouragement in making the retirement decision. The author helps us through any thoughts of feeling guilty or fearing bordom in retirement. Then, he is off on a great section that provides very practical ways of filling our increased leisure time. His Leisure Tree chart is worth the price of admission alone, and this is followed by pages of detailed activities in case one has not come up with enough on his or her own. Additionally, there are sensible suggestions on finances, happiness and all kinds of other things that relate to getting on with the joy of retirement and leaving the workplace behind. I highly recommend The Joy of Not Working as THE retirement primer for those who want a positive outlook on life and one's future in a world that does not evolve around work. As I said in the begining, such a life will not appeal to all. But to those of us to which it does, this book will be prized on our bookshelf. Bravo Ernie Zelinski. I truly believe this book is a classic that will wear well with readers for decades to come.

How to Retire Happy, Wild, and Free Retirement Wisdom That You Won't Get from Your Financial Advisor

"He tells us that the retirement is another part of our lives, and that we should dedicate it to discovering creativity within ourselves and enjoying it."