Most people heading into retirement aren’t worried about what they’ll do with their leisure time—instead, they’re worried about how they’ll afford it. According to the Social Security Administration, more than half of married couples and 43% of single seniors rely on Social Security for more than 90% of their income.
Here are a few tips that will help you take full advantage of your Social Security benefits.
Delay Retirement
If Social Security is going to be your sole source of income during retirement, then waiting until full retirement age to claim benefits is a wise idea. You can get even more out of Social Security if you hold off past full retirement age. Each year you delay retirement, you will accrue credits that boost your payments by 8%.
Reduce Expenses
Start reviewing and minimizing expenses. Start with high impact expenses, such as home and car costs, then move down the list. If you have two vehicles, selling a vehicle can bring in several thousand dollars and save on car payments, maintenance, and insurance.
Prepare for Taxes
Some seniors do not pay taxes on their Social Security benefits, but if you have additional income sources, such as a part-time job or savings, you might end up having to pay taxes on a portion of your benefits.
To figure out if your benefits will be taxed, you’ll need to figure out your provisional income. What state you live in matters, as some states tax Social Security income in varying amounts. Wherever you live, be prepared to pay taxes so you are not caught off guard.
Research Benefits
On a national level, there are over 2,500 programs to help low-income seniors with expenses related to housing, medications, healthcare, and taxes. The National Council on Aging has created a nonprofit website called BenefitsCheckUp to help retirees find these programs. You are not alone, there are people out there who want to help!
Dellwood Gardens is committed to providing high-quality senior care that is accessible to seniors of every cultural background. We understand cost is a barrier for many seniors thinking about moving to an assisted living community. Our Cost of Living Comparison Worksheet will help you compare your current living expenses with those at Dellwood Gardens.
To request more information or to schedule a tour, please contact our Marketing Director, Lindsay Schmidt at lschmidt@dellwoodgardens.com or (651) 444-5716. We look forward to meeting you!