Social Security

Why are there benefits in both the retirement benefit and spousal (or survivor) column?
Typically a person receives a retirement benefit or a spousal/widower benefit. But sometimes a person will receive an annual Social Security benefit reporte...
Sat, 19 Sep, 2020 at 11:25 AM
Why does the software's retirement benefits not match my Social Security statement?
Our software uses the intermediate assumptions from the latest Social Security Trustees' Report for future real National Average Wage growth and your as...
Fri, 28 Jan, 2022 at 2:47 PM
Why don't I see increases in my yearly Social Security benefits due to COLAs?
We do incorporate COLAs into our calculations. However, we present all benefit amounts in today's dollars so you'll have an accurate notion of the v...
Tue, 11 Jan, 2022 at 8:08 AM
What is a restricted application?
The most common example of using a restricted application was when, before the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, a spouse would be allowed to file for just the...
Wed, 22 May, 2024 at 8:53 AM
How do I model a restricted application?
Restricting an application to spousal benefits and delaying one’s retirement benefit is no longer allowed. Because of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, no ...
Wed, 22 May, 2024 at 8:55 AM
How do I model filing and suspending?
Please Note: Filing for and suspending your retirement benefit is not the same as or a part of restricting your application to your spousal benefit only and...
Thu, 18 Jun, 2020 at 2:29 PM
Can I really suspend retirement benefits?
While suspending receipt of a retirement benefit is still allowed under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, the utility of doing so depends on specific birth...
Thu, 18 Jun, 2020 at 2:31 PM
What is filing and suspending?
The most common reason you might want to suspend your benefits is to collect delayed retirement credits.  If you previously filed for retirement benefits a...
Tue, 28 May, 2024 at 7:49 AM
Why does the software calculate retirement benefits when I don't have enough Social Security credits?
Prior to 1978 one credit was earned for each quarter in which you had at least $50 covered earnings. Our software only knows about annual earnings, not quar...
Thu, 18 Jun, 2020 at 2:38 PM
How do I enter Retirement benefit and Spousal benefit filing dates?
In the Social Security Benefits History panel on your details screen, enter only filing dates for benefits you've actually filed for. Your Retirement b...
Wed, 12 Oct, 2022 at 12:07 PM