Affluent Savvy
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Where can I live on only Social Security?

Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington state and Wyoming don't tax any income at all. And on top of not taxing Social Security benefits, Oregon and Delaware have no sales tax.

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| Social Security was designed to supplement only pensions and retirement savings. But for many, that's no longer the case. Among beneficiaries 65 and older, 1 out of 5 married couples — and 2 out of 5 singles — receive at least 90 percent of their income from the program, according to the Social Security Administration. Living mostly on Social Security alone can be difficult. But here are tips for those near or in retirement who may find themselves in that situation. AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Join Now

Delay Social Security

Of course, if you're ailing and not likely to live many years in retirement, you're better off taking Social Security benefits early. But if you're healthy and have other resources to live off, it pays to wait. Your monthly payment will be 76 percent higher if you wait to start benefits at 70 rather than 62, the earliest possible age. By staying in your job longer or finding part-time work in retirement, you can earn a paycheck that can help you postpone drawing on Social Security benefits early.

Do a Social Security do-over

What if you took Social Security early and now regret it? It may not be too late. If you only recently filed for Social Security, you have up to 12 months to withdraw your application for a do-over. You must repay — without interest — all the benefits you received up to that point. But from then on, your benefit can grow until you're ready to file again. If the 12-month deadline has passed, you have another chance to boost your benefit. Once you reach your full retirement age — currently 66 — you can suspend your monthly payments without having to repay the money you already received. Thereafter, each year your payments are in suspension — until 70 — you will earn extra retirement credits that will enlarge your benefit by up to 8 percent annually.

Maximize Social Security survivor benefits

When planning with your spouse about when to take Social Security, don't overlook survivor benefits. Once one of you dies, your two monthly Social Security checks will go down to one — and the survivor will receive whichever amount is larger. One common strategy is for the higher earner to delay taking Social Security as long as possible to maximize the benefit for the survivor. To explore your options for making the most out of benefits, set up an appointment at your local Social Security office.

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What is the most a couple can get from Social Security?

For an eligible beneficiary who claims Social Security upon reaching full retirement age in 2022, the highest possible monthly payment is $3,345. For one who does so at age 70, it's $4,194. If they qualify based on their own work histories, a married couple can each receive the maximum individual retirement benefit.

Not when it comes to each spouse’s own benefit. Both can receive retirement payments based on their respective earnings records and the age when they claimed benefits. One payment does not offset or affect the other. There is a maximum family benefit, however, a cap on the total amount a family can collect from Social Security on a single worker’s earnings record (including spousal, children’s and survivor benefits). The maximum amount is between 150 percent and 188 percent of the worker’s monthly benefit payment at full retirement age. AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Join Now There is also a maximum individual retirement benefit, a limit on the amount an individual can collect per month from Social Security. To draw the highest possible benefit, you must have earned at least the maximum taxable earnings (the amount of income subject to Social Security taxes) for 35 of your working years. For an eligible beneficiary who claims Social Security upon reaching full retirement age in 2023, the highest possible monthly payment is $3,627. For one who does so at age 70, it’s $4,555. If they qualify based on their own work histories, a married couple can each receive the maximum individual retirement benefit.

Keep in mind

The maximum individual benefit can change each year as Social Security adjusts the maximum taxable earnings (based on national wage trends) and applies a cost-of-living increase, if applicable.

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