Gray Power: Social security doesnt always pay off for many older adults
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Many employers make the assumption that Social Security puts older adults on easy street and wonder why anyone eligible for the benefits would want to work and jeopardize these benefits Some employers may even believe that all Social Security benefits are eliminated once someone works.
This same belief by many employers feels that when an older adult receives pension benefits, the older worker would rather sit home and enjoy their new lifestyle.
Reality: Older Adults Are Not Eligible for Social Security Benefits, or Find That Working Offsets Any Loss in Social Security Benefits
Many older adults are not eligible for Social Security benefits or have reached the age to be eligible for these or other pension benefits, so often they have to work. Second, older adults over their full eligibility age can work all they want and not jeopardize their Social Security benefits.
Many older adults recognize that the benefits of working outweigh any loss of Social Security they may experience. Some chose to delay their benefits. Others realize that since benefits are not jeopardized in a dollar-for-dollar fashion, most people who work can earn more money than if they didn&8217;t work at all.
There are strategies for those seeking employment. They include:
-Explore what you wish to earn before applying for a job.
-Determine what benefits you are eligible for and what additional earnings will contribute to your bottom line.
-Don&8217;t let prospective employers make assumptions about reliance on Social Security benefits.
-Clearly communicate your needs to them.
-Here is a strategy that may help you keep your job.
-Communicate with your employers about your plans for retirement.
– et them know about your motivation for working.
Before you quit your job to earn Social Security benefits, carefully explore the amount of benefits you will receive, noting how much you can earn before benefits are jeopardized and how many benefit dollars you will lose by earning an additional dollar.
This information came from the book &8220;UnRetirement&8221; by Fyock and Dorton