Social Security Education
Social Security Planning
Social Security provides retirement, disability, and survivor benefits to eligible workers and their families. Understanding how the program works can help you think through your options.
Social Security Information
How Retirement Benefits Are Calculated
Social Security retirement benefits are based on your earnings history. The SSA calculates your benefit using your 35 highest-earning years, adjusted for inflation. Understanding how the benefit calculation works — including how gaps in work history affect your amount — is a useful starting point for planning.
Claiming at 62, Full Retirement Age, or 70
You can begin claiming Social Security as early as age 62 or as late as age 70. Claiming earlier permanently reduces your monthly benefit; waiting generally increases it. The right timing depends on your health, other income sources, break-even analysis, and personal circumstances — there is no single correct answer for everyone.
Spousal and Survivor Benefits
Social Security also provides benefits for spouses and survivors. A spouse may be eligible for up to 50% of the worker's benefit at Full Retirement Age. Survivor benefits can be up to 100% of the deceased worker's benefit. Understanding how these work — and how your claiming decision may affect a spouse — is an important part of retirement planning.
Divorced-Spouse Benefits
If you were married for at least 10 years and are currently unmarried, you may be eligible for Social Security benefits based on your ex-spouse's earnings record. Divorced-spouse benefits do not affect the ex-spouse's own benefit or the benefits of their current spouse. Understanding your eligibility can be an important part of retirement planning.
Survivor Benefits
When a worker dies, their surviving spouse, children, and in some cases other family members may be eligible for Social Security survivor benefits. Survivor benefits can be up to 100% of the deceased worker's benefit amount. The timing of when a surviving spouse claims can significantly affect the monthly benefit received for life.
Benefits for Eligible Children
Dependent children of a retired, disabled, or deceased worker may be eligible for Social Security benefits. Generally, unmarried children under age 18 (or up to 19 if still in high school) may qualify. Understanding these benefits can be relevant for families with younger children approaching retirement.
Coordination Between Spouses
For married couples, Social Security planning involves coordinating both spouses' claiming decisions. The higher earner's decision to delay can increase survivor benefits for the lower earner. Understanding how both benefit amounts interact — and how the survivor benefit is affected — is an important part of couples' retirement planning.
Working While Receiving Benefits
If you claim Social Security before your Full Retirement Age and continue working, your benefits may be temporarily reduced if your earnings exceed the annual limit. Once you reach Full Retirement Age, there is no earnings limit. Understanding how work income interacts with your benefit helps you plan your transition to retirement.
Social Security Taxation
Depending on your total income, up to 85% of your Social Security benefits may be subject to federal income tax. Understanding the income thresholds and how other retirement income sources affect the taxability of your benefits is an important part of retirement income planning.
Social Security and Medicare Timing
Medicare eligibility begins at age 65, while Social Security can be claimed as early as 62. These two programs are related but have separate enrollment rules and timelines. If you delay Social Security past 65, you will need to enroll in Medicare separately. Coordinating the timing of both programs is an important planning consideration.
Registered Social Security Analyst (RSSA)
Jasmin Tseng holds the RSSA designation, which reflects specialized training in Social Security planning. An RSSA can help you understand your options and think through the factors relevant to your situation.
Retirement income specialist
Registered Social Security Analyst® (RSSA®)
As a Registered Social Security Analyst® (RSSA®), Jasmin Tseng has completed specialized training in Social Security planning strategies.
View Jasmin's RSSA ProfileOpens in a new tab. RSSA profile maintained by the RSSA organization.
Educational Videos & Seminars
Jasmin offers educational videos and seminars on Social Security topics. Check the Resources page for available recordings and upcoming seminar dates.
View Educational ResourcesOfficial Social Security Resources
The following links go to official government sources. JTFSS is not responsible for third-party content.
Schedule a Social Security Consultation
Schedule a no-obligation consultation to discuss your Social Security questions.
Schedule a Social Security ConsultationInformation on this page is educational only. Social Security benefit amounts, eligibility, and rules are determined by the Social Security Administration and may change. This does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Services are offered only where the agent is licensed.