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Get More from Social Security
Trivia: What is the smallest continent in the world?
RetireHub
December 16, 2024
Good morning from RetireHub! ☀️ Happy Monday! Today we're diving into how to get more from Social Security. We've got helpful tips to boost your benefits, exciting deals, and more to brighten your day!
Retirement Without Fear: Protect Your $200k+ Savings & Add 20%
US resident 40-55? Protect your retirement from market risk & enjoy steady growth. Ensure your savings last & provide consistent income so you can retire stress-free. Discover a strategy that secures your financial future & adds 20% instantly.
Top Deals From Around The Web
We find the best daily online deals so you don’t have to!
On this day in 1791, the first performance of "The Magic Flute" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart took place in Vienna. It blended enchanting melodies with the influence of Freemasonry, showcasing themes of wisdom and enlightenment that captivated audiences and still resonate today.
RetireHub Poll
What’s your approach to maximizing Social Security benefits? |
Get More from Social Security
Thinking about how to stretch those retirement dollars a bit further? You're in good company! Here are some simple tips to help you get the most out of your Social Security benefits:
Wait It Out (If You Can)
Patience pays off—literally! For every year you delay taking Social Security past your full retirement age (up to 70), your benefit increases by about 8%. It's like getting a raise just for waiting.
Work Those 35 Years
Social Security calculates your benefit based on your highest 35 years of earnings. Don't have 35 years? They'll fill in the gaps with zeros, which can bring down your average. So, a few extra years on the job could boost your check.
Keep an Eye on Your Earnings Record
Mistakes happen, and they can cost you. Regularly check your Social Security statements to ensure your earnings are reported correctly. You can access your statement online anytime at the Social Security Administration's website.
Maximize Spousal Benefits
Married, divorced, or widowed? You might be eligible for spousal or survivor benefits, which can be up to 50% of your spouse's benefit. It's worth exploring all your options to see what fits best.
Mind the Earnings Limit
Planning to work while receiving benefits before your full retirement age? Be aware that earning over a certain amount can temporarily reduce your benefits. Once you hit full retirement age, though, you can earn as much as you like without any deductions.
Consider Tax Implications
Did you know that your Social Security benefits might be taxable based on your income? Understanding how your benefits fit into your overall tax picture can help you keep more money in your pocket.
Remember, everyone's situation is a bit different. Chat with a financial advisor to tailor a plan that's just right for you. After all, you’ve worked hard for this—let's make it count!
Yesterday’s Poll Results: What activities or settings do you find most effective for meeting new people and staying socially engaged after 60?
There are a number of ways in which RH members meet new people and stay socially engaged, with volunteering, community events, and clubs all popular choices. Check the comments below for specifics!
Thanks to the many of you who vote and comment every day. We love hearing from you!
Our favorite comments:
“I joined our senior center here and have made so many new friends its amazing!”
“Meeting friends for breakfast every weekday morning at 7:00 AM. Talking about the events of the day, sports and doing the LA Times crossword puzzle as a group.”
“We go see and enjoy live music, I volunteer, Social media is fun but not one on one in person interaction. Just getting out to enjoy life is wonderful! ”
“I go to our local recreation center for low impact water aerobics and chair yoga classes. There are always new people to meet and we all try to get together for lunch every month to learn more about one another outside of the rec center.”
While we can’t publish them all, we do read and appreciate every comment. Some comments are edited to make room for more contributions.
What We’re Reading
Here’s a free book just for you—download it now before this limited-time offer disappears!
 | By P.C. James Ex-Inspector Ramsay, (Miss Riddell Cozy Mysteries) has adopted a dog, Bracken, and taken to hiking the highest peaks of his native lands, Scotland and England. In the English Lake District, he and Bracken aid a young woman to escape her pursuers. She's been held captive for days. What’s going on here in the quiet English countryside? |
Senior Living News From Around the Web
How to Deal with Estranged Family During the Holidays
Family estrangement for women in their 60s is more common than you think. About 70 million people in the United States report experiencing estrangement from one or more family members.
For some, estrangement is a choice due to self-preservation against impossible family circumstances. Perhaps you have been the recipient of someone’s decision to detach.
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Longevity Tip of the Day
Find your purpose — Do you wake up looking forward to something? In a 2014 study published in the Lancet, researchers found that those with the highest sense of purpose were 30 percent less likely to die during the 8.5-year study period. In fact, doing something that matters — whether it’s helping your children or interacting in a community of like-minded folks — is correlated with seven extra years of life, according to researchers who study people in “blue zones,” areas of the world where folks live the longest.
Slang Phrase of the Day
Phrase: Yeet
Meaning: To throw something.
In a sentence: "I yeeted that ball into the lake.”
Good News of the Day
Last Year Boston Murder Rate Was Lowest Ever–This Year it was Cut Nearly in Half Again
Though rarely mentioned among the most homicidal cities in the country, Boston has seen her fair share of mean times. But according to a new report, there have never been fewer murders in the city than now.
That’s because 2023 saw the fewest on record, and barring an explosion of violence in the last 17 days of 2024, this year will contain even fewer than that.
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RetireHub Trivia
Want more trivia? Play our “Nostalgia Trivia Game” on our site! We add fresh questions daily, so there’s always something new to test your knowledge.
Not into trivia? No worries! We’ve got plenty of other fun games to enjoy, like:
What famous detective lives at 221B Baker Street? |
What is the smallest continent in the world? |
Which mammal is known to have the most powerful bite? |
How was today's newsletter? |
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