Social Security Benefits

Social security is a complicated program, but you cannot afford to NOT know everything you should about your benefits. But it can be hard to get the information you need in order to make the most informed decisions for you and your family.
In the following TOP 5 list below, The Motley Fool’s Financial Planning Team reveals five essential but little known facts about the Social Security Program and how it will affect millions of Americans. Although most people just expect Social Security to be there for them when they retire, they could be wrong – and by then it could be too late.
Number 5: Social Security is MassiveIn 2014, over 59 million Americans will receive Social Security. Among them are:

• 38 million retired workers
• 9 million survivors and dependents
• 11 million disabled workers and dependents

Number 4: The Elderly Could Not Survive Without This ProgramMany elderly Americans heavily rely on Social Security; it's the major income source for most older Americans. In fact, 9 out of 10 people age 65 and older receive Social Security benefits, which sometimes comprise 38% of income. Even more important, half of married couples and three quarters of singles get at least half their retirement income from Social Security.
Number 3: The workforce is shrinkingDemographics are not in our favor, as fewer workers support more retirees. In 1950 there were 16 workers per Social Security recipient. In 1960 there were 5 workers per recipient. By the year 2033, there will only be 2.1 workers per recipient.
Number 2: The Numbers Just Don’t Add UpSocial Security relies on its trust fund in order to cover shortfalls between taxes paid and benefits paid. The trust fund is projected to run out of money in 2033. Once that happens, retirees can only expect to receive about 75% of the benefits they should have received had the fund not run out of money.
Number 1: The #1 Way to Increase Your BenefitsEvery year after your full retirement age that you wait to claim benefits will boost your annual payouts by another 8%, until you reach age 70. Waiting to take benefits at age 70 will give you 32% more in benefits than if you took them at age 66, and 76% more than taking them at age 62. If you can afford to delay benefits until age 70 and if you live past age 82, you will receive more in lifetime income from Social Security than if you wait until full retirement age.

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