Team photo
Centuria Financial Group

1021223-00006-00

David P. McCabe,

WMCP®, ChFC®, CLU®

Financial Planner

david.mccabe@prudential.com

 

Nathaniel D. High, RICP®

Financial Planner

nathaniel.high@prudential.com

 

Nicholas J. Over, CFP®

Financial Planner

nicholas.over@prudential.com

 

Sara E. Martin

Client Relations Manager

sara.martin@prudential.com

 

Jennifer A. McCabe

Client Relations Specialist

jennifer.mccabe@prudential.com

 

Centuria Financial Group

2333 Baltimore Blvd Suite B

Finksburg, MD 21048

 

Phone:  443-952-7232

November/December 2024

When Should You Start Social Security Retirement Benefits?

When Should You Start Social Security Retirement Benefits

For many years, financial professionals have recommended that most people strive to delay taking Social Security benefits until age 70. The reason: Every year you delay starting benefits increases your eventual monthly check by 8%, in most cases. If you get your full retirement benefits at age 66, waiting until you are 70 will increase your monthly benefit by 32%.


Should You Delay Benefits?
If you have significant health problems that are likely to shorten your life expectancy, take benefits early. But, if you don't need Social Security income to live on, the conventional wisdom to delay starting Social Security benefits still makes sense for most people.


There are Multiple Reasons to Delay Benefits:

  • Social Security benefits are guaranteed by the U.S. government. Once your Social Security benefits are locked in, they aren't subject to market risk.

  • Social Security benefits have a built-in inflation adjustment. The government grants a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) each year, increasing Social Security benefits. Those COLA adjustments start at age 62, and you benefit from them whether or not you claim benefits at that time.

  • The 8% credit you can earn each year by waiting is significantly higher than current interest rates. It could be difficult for you to get that kind of return from ordinary investments – and it wouldn't be guaranteed.


Remember, there's no benefit to putting off benefits after age 70, when your benefit amount is maxed out. If you decide to retire at age 68 instead, you'll retain the 8% annual increase to date, however it accrues monthly, so your birthday affects the final amount.


Alternatively, if you start Social Security retirement benefits at age 62, the earliest age allowed, your checks will be 27% – 30% less than the maximum amount if you were born in 1960 or later.


Deciding when to start taking Social Security retirement benefits is a big decision that cannot be changed, so consult your financial and tax professionals in advance.


*Those born prior to 1943 may receive a slightly lower benefit by waiting. https://www.ssa.gov/ planners/retire/delayret.html

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Centuria Financial Group is not affiliated with Prudential Financial. Centuria Financial Group sells insurance products of Prudential Financial's affiliated insurance companies in addition to products of non-affiliated insurance companies. Centuria Financial Group is authorized to sell and service certain insurance products of Prudential Financial companies as well as use this material. Centuria Financial Group and its representatives do not give tax or legal advice. Please consult with your own advisors regarding your particular situation. Offering financial planning and investment advisory services and programs through Pruco Securities, LLC (Pruco), under the marketing name Prudential Financial Planning Services (PFPS), pursuant to a separate client agreement. Offering insurance and securities products and services as a registered representative of Pruco, and an agent of issuing insurance companies. 1-800-778-2255. Sara E. Martin and Jennifer McCabe are employed by David McCabe and not The Prudential Insurance Company of America or its subsidiaries.
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