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Continuing to work beyond the traditional retirement age has several advantages, including helping to ensure you maximize your Social Security benefits and have enough income to last a lifetime.
Although most people dream about the fun and relaxation that awaits them in retirement, the reality is that, just like during your working years, it is necessary to generate a “paycheck” so you can continue to pay for your housing, food, transportation and other necessities. Ideally, you may also want to bring in a bit more than you actually need so you can afford non-essentials, too, like travel and entertainment.
Yet, with people living longer life spans today, not only do retirees have to bring in a regular income – and make sure that it rises to keep pace with inflation – but that incoming cash flow must also be stretched out for a longer period of time.
Because of that, some people opt to continue working and earning an income – even after they “retire” – so they can concentrate on building up savings, which in turn could allow for a longer-lasting paycheck in in the future.
But, while working longer may help to keep you from outliving your income in retirement, there are also a few caveats to be aware of. That’s because in some cases, you could end up benefitting Uncle Sam more than yourself.
For many people, saying goodbye to their employer doesn’t necessarily mean that they will stop working altogether. For instance, some opt to work on a part-time basis for the social aspect it can provide.
Others have the goal of continuing to maintain employer-sponsored health insurance coverage and/or putting more into savings so as to increase passive retirement income down the road. This is particularly true for those who may not have an adequate amount of income to cover their living expenses.
| Year of birth | Minimum retirement age for full benefits |
|---|---|
| Year of birth1943 to 1954 | Minimum retirement age for full benefits66 |
| Year of birth1955 | Minimum retirement age for full benefits66 + 2 months |
| Year of birth1956 | Minimum retirement age for full benefits66 + 4 months |
| Year of birth1957 | Minimum retirement age for full benefits66 + 6 months |
| Year of birth1958 | Minimum retirement age for full benefits66 + 8 months |
| Year of birth1959 | Minimum retirement age for full benefits66 + 10 months |
| Year of birth1960 or later | Minimum retirement age for full benefits67 |
A study from the U.S. Congressional Budget Office (CBO) defines the “adequacy of retirement income” in two primary ways. These are:
The CBO also states that the impact of working – even for just a few additional years – can be substantial and that doing so could provide the opportunity for:
In fact, by working just five additional years, savings could be increased by more than 50%.
As an example, you could begin your Social Security retirement income benefits as early as age 62. If you do, though, the dollar amount will be permanently reduced. But if you work until your full retirement age (FRA), you can bring in a higher amount of benefit. And, because two of the key components for determining your Social Security benefit amount are your overall earnings and your age, the amount you receive can rise exponentially the longer you work and earn an income.
By working and waiting to take Social Security after your full retirement age, you could give yourself a “raise” of 8% for every year you delay taking benefits between your full retirement age and age 70.
Working during retirement can have other benefits besides just financial. For instance, doing so can help you to stay active and connected to the outside world. This can be beneficial from a social, health or even a happiness perspective.
It is important to note, though, that if you work and receive Social Security retirement benefits before your full retirement age, you could face the Social Security earnings test, or even be taxed on portion (up to 85%) of these benefits, depending on how much other income you generate.
There are ways that you can generate an ongoing income without having to rely solely on Social Security or working during retirement. This can be achieved through an annuity. By nature, annuities are designed to provide an ongoing income stream, either for a set period of time, or even for the remainder of your lifetime – regardless of how long you may need it.
There are many different types of annuities, though, such as:
With the security of an income stream from an annuity, you can pursue activities in retirement – either paid or unpaid – without having to worry about running out of money at a time when you need it the most.
| If you take benefits at age: | Monthly benefit amount: | Amount of $ increase: |
|---|---|---|
| If you take benefits at age:66 | Monthly benefit amount:$2,000.00 | Amount of $ increase:0% |
| If you take benefits at age:67 | Monthly benefit amount:$2,160.00 | Amount of $ increase:8% |
| If you take benefits at age:68 | Monthly benefit amount:$2,332.80 | Amount of $ increase:16% |
| If you take benefits at age:69 | Monthly benefit amount:$2,519.42 | Amount of $ increase:24% |
| If you take benefits at age:70 | Monthly benefit amount:$2,720.98 | Amount of $ increase:32% |
So, what is the best age for you to retire? The answer to that depends on a number of factors, including your income sources, as well as how much you anticipate in future expenses. If there is a “gap” between these two figures, it could require that you take on outside employment.
But before you move forward, it is recommended that you first talk with a retirement income specialist who can help you to map out a plan. If you’re ready to learn more about how you can combine working in retirement with other incoming cash flow you’ll have in the future, contact an Alliance America advisor today and set up a time to chat.
Alliance America is an insurance and financial services company. Our financial planners and retirement income certified professionals can assist you in maximizing your retirement resources and help you to achieve your future goals. We have access to an array of products and services, all focused on helping you enjoy the retirement lifestyle you want and deserve. You can request a no-cost, no-obligation consultation by calling (833) 219-6884 today.
