Social Security
Social Security decisions can have a long-term impact on your retirement income. Explore strategies that help coordinate claiming choices with taxes, spousal benefits, and your overall income plan.
Your Family. Your Future.
Life gives your goals meaning.
We help you plan around it.
The people you care about, the experiences you look forward to, and the legacy you hope to leave all shape what financial planning means to you.
At Certified Financial Group, LLC, we begin with those priorities. We listen, explain your options, and help you consider how today’s decisions connect with the future you have in mind.
- Personal attention Time to understand your story.
- Clear conversations Practical explanations of your options.
- Ongoing connection Support as your priorities evolve.
Let’s start with your priorities.
Share your goals, ask your questions, and get to know our approach to personal financial planning.
Certified Financial Group, LLC
Social Security and You
When to claim is a personal decision. Understand your options and consider how Social Security fits with your income needs, family circumstances, and retirement plans.
Understand Before You File
Five considerations that deserve a closer look.
Eligibility, timing, work, family benefits, and taxes can all influence your planning conversation.
Eligibility starts with your work record
Qualifying for retirement benefits on your own record generally requires 40 Social Security credits, typically earned over about 10 years of covered work.
SSA: Credits and eligibilityYour claiming age affects your benefit
Retirement benefits can begin as early as 62, with a reduction for starting before full retirement age. Delaying your own retirement benefit beyond full retirement age increases it up to age 70.
SSA: Claiming age and reductionsWorking can affect payments before full retirement age
Earnings above applicable limits can cause benefits to be withheld. Beginning with the month you reach full retirement age, earnings no longer reduce benefits under the earnings test.
SSA: Receiving benefits while workingYour family circumstances matter
Spousal, divorced-spouse, and survivor benefits have different eligibility and timing rules. Review which benefits may apply to your circumstances before filing.
SSA: Benefits for spousesBenefits may be subject to income tax
Depending on income and filing status, up to 85% of Social Security benefits may be included in federal taxable income. This describes the taxable portion, not the tax rate. Coordinate the details with your tax professional.
IRS: Taxation of Social Security benefitsBring the Pieces Together
A claiming decision is part of a bigger plan.
At Certified Financial Group, LLC, we help you organize the questions that matter to your retirement.
Common Questions
Make sense of the details.
What is my full retirement age?
Full retirement age for retirement benefits depends on your birth year. Survivor benefit ages can differ.
Does waiting beyond age 70 increase my retirement benefit?
Delayed retirement credits stop at age 70. Waiting beyond that age does not earn additional delayed retirement credits.
SSA: Delayed retirement creditsAre withheld benefits from working simply lost?
At full retirement age, SSA recalculates your benefit to give credit for months in which benefits were reduced or withheld because of excess earnings. Ask SSA how the rules apply to your record.
SSA: Working and benefitsAre survivor benefits the same as spousal benefits?
No. They are separate benefit categories with different eligibility, age, and payment rules. If a spouse or former spouse has died, ask SSA to review potential survivor benefits before making a filing decision.
SSA: Survivor benefitsWhere do I apply or confirm eligibility?
Visit SSA.gov or contact Social Security directly at 800-772-1213. SSA determines eligibility and official benefit amounts.
Prepare for Your Conversation
Bring your questions.
Put your estimates in context.
A recent Social Security estimate, your expected retirement timeline, and a general picture of other income sources can provide a useful starting point.
A Personal Planning Conversation
Let’s consider how Social Security fits your life.
Meet with David Anderson at Certified Financial Group, LLC to discuss your retirement priorities and the questions behind your claiming decision.