Last week, President Obama signed a two-year federal budget deal into law that included an amendment containing the most significant Social Security reform since 1983. The provision, which abolished two popular strategies used to maximize retirement benefits, could cost some Americans up to $50,000 in reduced lifetime accumulation.
Prior to the legislation, claimants could file for Social Security before their full retirement age, suspend payments and retain the option to retroactively unsuspend benefits. With the new legislation, anyone who suspends benefits after May 1, 2016, will no longer receive a lump sum for benefits from the suspended period. However, individuals who receive reduced benefits before full retirement age will still be able to suspend them to earn delayed retirement credits between the ages of 66 and 70.
The restricted claim of spousal benefits has also been eliminated. Previously, a higher-earning spouse could file for Social Security at the age of 62 and delay taking payments until turning 70 to attain their maximum level of benefits. This allowed their lower-earning partner to draw spousal benefits (up to 50 percent of the higher-earning spouse’s suspended payments) while growing future benefits on their own account. A grandfathering provision allows anyone who has reached the age of 62 by the end of 2015 to take advantage of the old rule. Those not grandfathered in will be eligible for spousal benefits only when their spouse is actually drawing benefits. They will be required to file for their own benefits along with their spouse’s benefits and will receive whichever amount is greater.
The new rules could hit lower-earning divorced spouses particularly hard. They will no longer be able to collect only spousal benefits while growing their own benefits. Widows, widowers and surviving divorced spouses will still have the right to decide when to collect a survivor benefit and their own retirement benefit.
On the positive side, the budget bill reduces the projected soaring increase to 2016 Medicare Part B premiums for 17 million Medicare recipients (discussed in the Oct. 19 Weekly Market Commentary). Instead of a 52 percent hike, these affected beneficiaries will see a 14 percent hike with a $3 monthly surcharge.
If you have concerns about when to take Social Security or how the new rules may affect your comprehensive retirement plan, please contact our office. Call your Centennial, CO registered investment advisor representative Jordan Dechtman at 303-741-9772 for a comprehensive review of your investments, insurance and expenses. You may email him at Jordan@JordanDechtman.com or visit our website www.JordanDechtman.com to schedule an appointment.
Written by Securities America for distribution by Jordan Dechtman.
