Your Social Security Playbook: How Your Benefit is Calculated

How is your Social Security benefit actually calculated? In this episode, Roger explains how you qualify for retirement benefits, how your earnings history determines your benefit, and why the age you claim matters. Understanding these basics will help you recognize the areas where you have agency as you build your Social Security claiming strategy.

Roger also answers listener questions about survivor benefits, estimating taxes in retirement, and coordinating spousal benefits.

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN

• [00:00] Understanding the context behind your Social Security benefit

PRACTICAL PLANNING: SOCIAL SECURITY PLAYBOOK

• [01:33] How you qualify for Social Security and how benefits are calculated
• [11:08] Reviewing your Social Security statement and understanding cost-of-living adjustments
• [15:30] Understanding your Social Security claiming age options 

LISTENER QUESTIONS

• [22:11] What Social Security resources are available for widows and widowers? 
• [24:18] How to categorize income and expenses for tax planning
• [30:43] Can my husband switch from his own benefit to a spousal benefit?

SMART SPRINT

• [33:39] Review your Social Security statement

CLOSING THOUGHTS

• [34:40] Reconsidering the words “should,” “must,” and “need to”
  
  

REFERENCES

• Social Security Administration
• Open Social Security
• Maximize My Social Security
• Dinkytown 1040 Tax Calculator
• Submit a Question for Roger
• Sign up for The Noodle
• Rock Retirement with Roger Whitney on YouTube: How to Read Your Social Security Statement
  
  

What is Retirement Answer Man?

A top retirement podcast. Roger Whitney, CFP®, CIMA®, CPWA®, RMA, guides you on how to actually do retirement well financially and personally. This retirement podcast isn't afraid to talk about the softer side of retirement. It will teach you how to retire with confidence. Two-time PLUTUS winner for best retirement podcast / blog and the 2019 winner for best financial planner blog. This retirement podcast covers how to create a paycheck, medicare, healthcare, Social Security, tax management in retirement as well as retirement travel and other non-financial issues you'll need to address to rock retirement. Retirement isn’t an age OR a financial number. It’s finding that balance between living well today and feeling confident about your retirement. It’s about gaining more freedom to pursue the life you want. Join the rock retirement community at www.rogerwhitney.com