Social Security

You want to know how much you’ll get when you retire. You want to ensure you can retire comfortably. You simply want to understand your Social Security. And you need to. After all, you’re paying a percentage each paycheck into the Social Security trust. You should be aware of what that means for you. Today, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA), three-fourths of state and local employees are covered by Social Security. You can apply for payments to help with expenses and offset the loss of income from your job.

Early Retirement, Social Security?

While you can retire at 62, payments are reduced. You can receive full benefits if you retire at 65, 66, 67, but it depends on when you were born.

However, Social Security is also facing hardships. A large number of baby boomers are retiring, so that younger employees may encounter a dwindling supply of funds in the Social Security trust when they eventually plan to retire. If the trust’s deficit is not fixed, you may see a reduced SS paycheck.

Social Security, combined with your own savings, TSP, and pension, is the foundation to secure retirement especially if you are enrolled in the Federal Employees Retirement System. But we can help you consider other options and financial products to bolster your retirement portfolio. We will look at how much you pay in to Social Security, and analyze when the best time to take it might be.

Plan your financial future with us.

Are you covered?

Social Security and FERS

Social Security is one of the major income streams for retired federal workers enrolled in FERS.
FERS covers federal employees hired on or after Jan. 1, 1984, or those who switched over to FERS from the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). All federal employees who are enrolled in FERS pay Social Security taxes and earn Social Security benefits.

Social Security and CSRS

If you stayed under the CSRS program, you are not covered by Social Security, do not pay Social Security taxes or earn Social Security Benefits. You are, however, covered under the Medicare program and you pay Medicare taxes on your federal earnings.

The Bottom Line

You need to know what you’re going to get from Social Security in order to understand your total retirement income, especially if you’re enrolled in FERS.

Other Aspects of Social Security Benefits

There are some other nuances you need to know exist in order to best understand what you’re entitled to. These include the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset.