Social Security is a topic of discussion among politicians and partisans as they debate how to ensure its financial future remains secure. One suggestion that is frequently mentioned is the idea of delaying the retirement age. However, this suggestion is essentially a bait-and-switch tactic that would result in individuals receiving lower payments than they would have otherwise received if they had retired earlier.
The Social Security Administration explains that retirement payments are calculated based on the 35 years in which individuals have made the most money and paid a special Social Security tax. This tax is not saved as a retirement fund but is used to provide payments to current retirees. The indexing and averaging of these earnings are done to determine the retirement benefits individuals are entitled to receive when they reach the age of retirement.
The full retirement age depends on the year individuals were born, with those born in 1960 or later qualifying for full benefits at age 67. Individuals can choose to retire earlier, but this results in a reduction in their benefits. Conversely, delaying retirement can lead to an increase in benefits. However, increasing the retirement age set by the government would result in individuals receiving lower benefits, as their retirement payment graph would shift to the right, delaying full benefits and reducing the amount received each month.
For example, if the retirement age is increased to 68, benefits would be cut by 7% compared to what individuals would have received if they had retired at age 67. Similarly, moving retirement age to 70 would result in a comparative cut of about 23% of benefits. Therefore, when politicians, pundits, and activists talk about increasing the retirement age, they are essentially advocating for lower retirement payments for individuals.
It is important for individuals to understand the impact of delaying the retirement age on their Social Security benefits and weigh the potential financial consequences of waiting longer to retire. With the complexity of the Social Security system and the calculations involved in determining retirement benefits, it is crucial for individuals to seek advice from financial advisors or experts to make informed decisions about their retirement planning.
Ultimately, the debate surrounding the future of Social Security and potential changes to the retirement age highlights the need for comprehensive reforms to ensure the long-term sustainability of the program while also safeguarding the financial well-being of retirees. As discussions continue, it is essential for policymakers to consider the implications of any proposed changes on current and future Social Security beneficiaries.
