Using Your Social Sercurity Benefits

So you are reaching retirement age and thinking about when to retire. You need Social Security help but don't know where to turn. The obvious choice is the Social Security office but they are extremely busy and your wait can be hours just to get a few questions answered.

The Social Security office wants you to file for your benefits online without even talking to anyone. They assume you have done your homework and know what it is you want to do. The problem is, once you file you are then locked in and have set your monthly benefit for the rest of your life. The only increases will come from cost of living increases or if you continue to work. There have been no cost of living increases the past two years.

Effect of Work on Social Security Benefits

What affect will work have on your monthly Social Security benefit? You are back to needing help and wanting your questions answered. The employees at the Social Security offices are capable hardworking people, but they are very busy. As with so many other government offices, budget cuts have left them shorthanded. They really don't have the time to discuss all of your questions and options. The expectation is for you to research them yourself before filing for benefits.

Filing at the wrong time can not only limit your monthly benefits, but it can also have an adverse affect on any survivor benefits you leave for your loved one. You should not have to play a guessing game when it comes to knowing the best time to start your benefits. The decisions you make today will affect your benefits for the rest of your life.