Social Security (Lesson 4) Flashcards
Social Secuirity is funded through
- FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act)
- SECA (Self employed Contributions act)
What percentage of wages are taxed
- 6.2% on wages up to the wage base ($142,800 for 2021)
- 1.45% on all wages
- 0.9% Medicare surtax on wages and self employment income over the threshold
Who are covered employees by OASDI
- Federal employees hired since 1984
- US Armed Forces
- Self emloyed persons
- Employees of nonprofit organizations
- hospital interns
- domestic workers
- farmer and agricultural workers
Who are not covered employees by OASDI
- Federal Employees hired prior to 1984
- Railroad employees
- ministers
- student nurses
- newspaper delivery persons under 18
- students working for college or club
- Family employees
What are the different categories of social security benefits
- Retirement benefit
- Disability benefits
- Death benefits
- Survivor Benefits
- Medicare
What is the normal or full retirement age if born before 1938
- 65 years old
What is the normal or full retirement age if born between 1938 - 1942
- Add 2 months per year to 65
What is the normal or full retirement age if born between 1943 - 1954
- 66 years old
What is the normal or full retirement age if born between 1955 - 1959
- add 2 months per year to 66
What is the normal or full retirement age if born in 1960 or later
- 67 years old
How much are benefits reduced in the first three years a individual retires early
5/9 of 1% for each month
If retired more than 3 years how much are the benefits reduced
- 5/12 of 1% for each month for a maximum of 30%
To qualify for retirement benefits a worker must be
- fully insured
What does fully insured mean
- 40 quarters of coverage
How much does 1 quarter of coverage equal to in wages for 2021
- $1,470 in wages subject to Social Security
How much do a retirees benefits increase each year a retiree delays benefits
8%
Who are considered Social security beneficiaries
- A disabled insured worker under age 65
- A retired insured worker age 62 or older
- A spouse of a retired or disabled worker who is at least 62 or is caring for a child under age 16 or disabled child
- A divorced spouse of a retired or disabled worker if the ex spouse is age 62 and was married to the worker for at least 10 years and did not remarry
How much is a SS benefit reduced if a person is above the earnings threshold and below full retirement age
- $1 for every $2
- Threshold amount is $18,960 (annual limit, monthly test)
How much is the SS benefit reduced if a person is at the year of full retirement age and above the earnings thresold
- Benefit is reduced $1 for every $3 above threshold
- $50,250 (annual, limit monthly test)
What is the maximum that a social security benefit can be taxed
- 85%
What are the thresholds based on for SS benefits
- Combined Income
What does Combined income include
- AGI
- Nontaxable interest
- Foreign earned income
- 1/2 of retirement benefit
Hurdles for Social Security benefits
MFJ/ Single - First Hurdle
MFJ/ Single - Second Hurdle
First Hurdle Single
- $25,000 MFJ - $32,000
Second Hurdle
Single - $34,000 MFJ - $44,000