Retirement Flashcards
What are the social insurance programs covered by the social security act?
- social security (old age, survivor, and disability insurance - OASDI)
- Medicare
- federal unemployment insurance
- supplemental security income (SSI)
How is somebody fully insured with social security benefits?
They have to have paid 40 quarters into social security (about 10 yrs). Once you reach fully insured, workers are eligible for both survivor benefits and retirement benefits.
What workers are not covered by social security?
- Federal employees who have been continuously employed since before 1984 unless they elected to switch
- some Americans working abroad
- student nurses and students working for a college or college club
- railroad employees
- A child under the age of 18 who is employed by a parent in an unincorporated business
- ministers, members of religious orders, and Christian science practitioners if they claim an exemption
- members of tribal councils
- some state employees and teachers
*Members of the armed services are covered under OASDI
When is a worker eligible for Social Security benefits?
- Retirement benefits: age 62 or older
- Disability: under age 65 and has been disabled for 12 mos, is expected to be for at least 12 mos, OR has a disability which is expected to end in dead and has completed a 5 mo waiting period.
When is the spouse of a worker eligible for social security benefits?
- When the worker is retired or disabled and meets any of the following:
- age 62 or over
- at any age if
- a child in care under 16
- a child in care over 16 and disabled before 22.
-
Surviving spouse (even if divorced), of deceased worker if widower is 60+
- if divorced, must have been married to the worker for at least 10 yrs and generally not remarried.
- at any age if
- a child in care under 16
- a child in care over 16 and disabled before 22.
When is the dependent of a worker eligible for social security benefits?
A surviving dependent, unmarried child of a deceased, disabled, or retired worker qualifies if they are either:
- under 19 and a full time elementary or secondary school student
- 18 or over but has a disability that began before age 22
What does deferral mean when it comes to retirement accounts?
A tax-deferred savings plan is an investment account that allows a taxpayer to postpone paying taxes on the money invested until it is withdrawn, generally after retirement. The best-known such plans are individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and 401(k)s.
Basic Concepts of Social Security
Coverage: Nearly every worker is covered under OASDI.
Employment categories not covered by Social Security include:
- Federal employees who have been continuously employed since before 1984.
- Some Americans working abroad
- Student nurses and students working for a college or college club
- Railroad Employees
- A child, under age 18, who is employed by a parent in an unincorporated business
- Ministers, members of religious orders and Christian Science practitioners if they claim an exemption
- Members of Tribal Councils
Social Security
(Reduction of Benefits)
Before FRA (Full Retirement Age): Benefits reduced $1 for every $2 earned over $18,960 (2021 threshhold)
Year in which you reach FRA (Full Retirement Age): Benefits reduced $1 for every $3 earned over $50,520 (2021 threshhold)
Social Security
(Taxation)
- Must include Muni Bond Income to calculate MAGI
- If income (MAGI) plus ½ of Social Security Benefits is:
- Above $25K for a single taxpayer, then 50% of the total Social Security is included in Income.
- Above $44k for MFJ, then 85% of the total Social Security is included in Income.
Types of Qualified Plans / ERISA
(Vesting /Admin Costs / Exempt from Creditors / Integrate with Social Security)
- Defined Benefit
- Cash Balance
- Money Purchase
- Target Benefit
- Profit Sharing
- Profit Sharing 401(k)
- Stock Bonus ESOP (NOT integrated with Social Security or cross-tested)
Types of Retirement Plans
(No Vesting / Limited Admin Costs)
- SEP
- SIMPLE
- SAR-SEP
- Thrift or Savings Plans
- 403(b)
Defined Benefit - Qualified Plan
- Favors older employee/owner (50+)
- Certain retirement benefit; Max $230K (2021)
- Meet a specific retirement objective
- Company must have very stable cash flow
- Past service credits allowed
- Forfeitures MUST be applied to reduce employer contributions
- PBGC Insured (along with Cash Balance Plan)
Money Purchase - Qualified Plan
- Up to 25% Employer Deduction
- Fixed Contributions
- Need stable cash flow
- Maximum Annual Contribution lesser of 100% or salary of $58K (2021)
Target Benefit - Qualified Plan
- Up to 25% Employer Deduction
- Fixed Contributions
- Need stable cash flow
- Maximum annual contribution less of 100% of salary or $58K (2021)
- Favors older workers
Profit Sharing - Qualified Plan
- Up to 25% Employer Deduction
- Flexible contributions (must be recurring and substantial)
- Maximum Annual Contribution lesser of 100% of salary or $58K (2021)
- Can have 401(k) provisions
- SIMPLE 401(k) exempt from creditors
Section 401(k) Plan
Qualified profit sharing or stock bonus plan that allows plan participants to defer salary into the plan.
- Max $19,500 (2021) deferral for participants under 50 (subject to FICA)
- Additional $6,500 catch-up for age 50 and over (2021)
Section 415 Annual Additions Limit
- Lesser of 100% of compensation or $58K (2021)
- Includes employer contributions, employee salary reductions and plan forfeitures