Category Archives: Retirement

Now That You Have Your First Job, Labor Day Has a Deeper Meaning

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woman holding phone and smiling Labor Day is usually associated with cookouts, the end of summer, and going back to school. Now that you have your first job, you’re learning the true meaning behind this holiday. From today on, when Labor Day rolls around, you’ll think of the hard work you put in during the year. What you should also think of is how the fruit of that labor will one day translate into Social Security benefits for you and your family.

Social Security is here with benefits, tools, and information to help you secure today and tomorrow. Here’s some things you should know: Continue reading →

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Now is the Perfect Time to Check on Your Retirement List

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man and woman checking on smoke detector With every change of season, there’s usually a list of essential items that must be done. If you’re getting your house ready for winter, you are likely getting your furnace serviced and cleaning your gutters among other things. In the same way you’re getting your house ready for the colder months, we want to make sure you’re checking off items on another important list, your retirement list.

A healthy retirement checklist should include the following questions: Continue reading →

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How the Rules Work for You

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Retirement doesn’t have the same meaning for everyone. Some people plan to retire and never work again. Some people plan for second careers in occupations that wouldn’t have adequately supported their families, but they do the work for pure enjoyment. Some people, whether by design or desire, choose to work part-time or seasonally to supplement their retirement income.

Retirees (or survivors) who choose to receive Social Security benefits before they reach full retirement age (FRA) and continue to work have an earnings limit. In 2017, the annual earnings limit was $16,920 for those under FRA the entire calendar year. In 2018, it is $17,040. If you earn over the limit, we deduct $1 from your Social Security monthly benefit payment for every $2 you earn above the annual limit.  Continue reading →

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Three Common Ways Your Social Security Payment Can Grow After Retirement

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woman planting flowers You made the choice and now you are happily retired. You filed online for your Social Security benefits. They arrive each month in the correct amount exactly as expected. But, did you ever wonder if your Social Security check could increase?

Once you begin receiving benefits, there are three common ways benefit checks can increase: a cost of living adjustment (COLA); additional work; or an adjustment at full retirement age if you received reduced benefits and exceeded the earnings limit. Continue reading →

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Rosie The Riveter: Working Women’s Icon

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rosie the riveter “Rosie the Riveter” is an American icon representing women working in factories during World War II. These women learned new jobs and filled in for the men who were away at war. They produced much of the armaments and ammunition to supply the war effort.

They also paid FICA on their wages, contributing to the Social Security program. These “Rosies” embodied the “can-do” spirit immortalized in a poster by J. Howard Miller. Both the image and the spirit live on today. Continue reading →

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How Special Payments After You Retire Affect Your Social Security Benefit

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woman on dock getting into kayak After you retire from your job or self-employment, you may get payments for work you did before you started receiving Social Security benefits. We call those “special payments.” Usually, special payments will not affect your Social Security benefit, if they are for work done before you retired. These payments will be counted in the last month you worked, unless the services can be shown to have been rendered in a prior period. Continue reading →

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Social Security Collaborates with America Saves Week

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man and woman writing on couch A secure retirement is created from a lifetime of planning and saving. Each year, American Savings Education Council and America Saves coordinate America Saves Week. The week is an opportunity for organizations to promote good savings behavior and a chance for individuals to assess their own saving status.

For years, Social Security has collaborated with America Saves Week to promote our shared mission of helping millions of people prepare for their future. This year, the week is celebrated from February 26 through March 3. Continue reading →

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Ex-Spouse Benefits And How They Affect You

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two women and child smiling Just like during tax season, it’s good to have all the information you need early so you can prepare and get any money you are due.

If you are age 62, unmarried, and divorced from someone entitled to Social Security retirement or disability benefits, you may be eligible to receive benefits based on his or her record. To be eligible, you must have been married to your ex-spouse for 10 years or more. If you have since remarried, you can’t collect benefits on your former spouse’s record unless your later marriage ended by annulment, divorce, or death. Also, if you’re entitled to benefits on your own record, your benefit amount must be less than you would receive based on your ex-spouse’s work. In other words, we’ll pay the higher of the two benefits for which you’re eligible, but not both. Continue reading →

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