Table of Contents
Chapter 1: The History of Social Security Retirement Benefits
Section 1:
The Social Security Act of 1935
Section 2:
The Social Security Trust Funds
Section 3:
The Senior Citizens Freedom to Work Act of 2000
Section 4:
2010 Amendment to the Payback Provisions
Section 5:
The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015
Section 6:
The Social Security Fairness Act
Chapter 2: The Basics
Section 1:
Key Definitions
Common Acronyms
Section 2:
Benefit Basics
i. Who is Eligible for Benefits?
ii. Currently Insured vs. Fully Insured
a. Fully Insured
b. Currently Insured
c. Employees Not Covered
iii. How to Apply for Benefits
iv. When to Apply and How Benefits are Paid
v. What is FRA?
Section 3:
What is PIA and How it is Calculated using AIME?
Section 4:
Reductions and Increases to Benefits
i. Benefits before FRA
ii. Benefits after FRA
iii. Recalculating PIA based upon Additional Earnings
iv. Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs)
Section 5:
Deemed Filing and the Effect on Benefits
i. Exceptions to the Deemed Filing Rule
Chapter 3: Spousal Benefits
Section 1:
Eligibility for Spousal Benefits
Section 2:
Meeting the Marriage Requirement
Section 3:
Calculating the Spousal Benefit
Section 4:
Spousal Benefits and Early Retirement
Section 5:
Spousal Benefits at or after FRA
Chapter 4: Widows and other Survivor Benefits
Section 1:
Who is Eligible for Widow(er)or other Survivor Benefits?
i. Surviving Spouse
ii. Deceased Worker’s Children
iii. Deceased Worker’s Parents
iv. Former Spouse of Deceased Worker
Section 2:
When can Benefits be Elected?
Section 3:
How are Benefits Paid?
Section 4:
How is the Widow(er)’s Benefit Calculated?
Section 5:
When Does Entitlement to Benefits End?
Chapter 5: Rules Related to Common Law and Same-Sex Marriage
Section 1:
Common Law Marriage
Section 2:
Same-Sex Marriage
Chapter 6: Divorce
Section 1:
Eligibility for Benefits
Length of Marriage, Minimum Age, Current Marital Status
Section 2:
Independently Entitled Divorced Spouses
Section 3:
Survivor Benefits of a Divorced Spouse
Chapter 7: Special Provisions Involving Dependent, Minor and Disabled Children
Section 1:
Child in Care Rules
i. Benefits for the Caregiver
ii. Children’s Benefits
Section 2:
Family Maximum Benefits
Chapter 8: The Earnings Test
Section 1:
When does the Earnings Test Apply?
Section 2:
How are Earnings Defined?
Section 3:
Calculating the Earnings Test Forfeiture Pre-FRA
Section 4:
The “Special Rule” for the Year FRA is Attained
Section 5:
Special Earnings Limit Rule: Grace Year
Section 6:
Adjustment to the Reduction Factor
i. What is ARF?
ii. How is ARF calculated?
iii. Adjustment to benefit after ARF
Section 7:
Procedural Considerations
How Earnings are Reported
How Forfeited Amounts are Withheld
The Effect of the Earnings Test on Auxiliary Benefits
Chapter 9: Taxation of Social Security Benefits
Section 1:
History of the Taxation of Social Security Benefits
Section 2:
Formula for Determining the Taxable Portion of Benefits
i. Combined/Provisional Income
ii. Tax Efficiency of Social Security
Section 3:
State Taxation of Social Security Benefits
Chapter 10: Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 1:
“Do Over” Option Rules
i. Effects of Utilizing the Do-Over Option on later Benefits
ii. Important Do-Over Considerations
Section 2:
Important Timing Issue: Attained Age
Section 3:
Important Timing Issue: Backdating Payments
Chapter 11: Medicare Basics
Section 1:
Overview of Medicare
Section 2:
Medicare for Higher Income Beneficiaries
Chapter 12: Claiming Strategies
Introduction to Our Approach
Education
A Comprehensive Planning Approach
An Understanding of the Claiming Rules
i. File and Take
ii. File and Suspend
iii. Restricted Application
iv. Start, Suspend, Restart
v. Widow’s Strategies
vi. Sample Case Study