Retirement is something that needs to be well thought out and planned for in advance. Not only do you need to look at potential income from Social Security, you need to set up your Medicare options (age 65), and you need to review your other 401K’s or pension plans for best use withdrawals. This does not happen the week before you “check out”. At Pillars LLC, we like to see clients at least two years before they plan to retire, so all the above can be set into action. We are only one piece of the RETIREMENT PUZZLE – our desire is to work with other professionals that work in the retirement venue for the betterment of the beneficiaries.
Medicare is an area of expertise – we do not touch it; financial planning is an area of expertise – we do not touch it; tax law is an area of expertise – we do not touch it. Our area of expertise is Social Security and that is all we do.
When we do a good job for our clients, they thank us. When business owners and professionals make a good referral for our services, this employee or client will be with you for the duration. Why, because you had their best interest in mind on this very important area of expertise.
Because I am nearing retirement age, I have spent quite a bit of time doing research on my options for drawing Social Security retirement benefits.
Recently I attended an informational session hosted locally by PILLARS and Cooley/Labas Financial Advisors. It was there that I learned about an option that I had never read about in my research …. and I was not even aware that I was eligible to choose that option.
I immediately made an appointment with PILLARS and they walked me through all my options and even helped me know the correct verbiage to use when I go to the SS office to file for my retirement benefits
Thank you, Diane and Roy, for showing me the best way to maximize my Social Security retirement benefits.
Vicki Shirley, Corinth, MS
As we have stated in many of our articles, TIMING is critical when it comes to electing the best option for you and your family regarding Social Security. Are you getting a bonus or a check for accrued sick leave and/or vacation? If you draw this at the wrong time you will be hit with the Earnings Limitations Rules. How close in age are you and your spouse? Does one of you want to keep working and the other retire? Do you really need to draw the Survivor Benefit at age 60 and suffer the reductions? Can you cut back to part-time for a while and gradually make the transition to Social Security? If entitled to two benefits, such as ex-spouse, spousal or survivor and your own, which benefit should you take first? REMEMBER – being entitled to a benefit does not mean you need to take it – in many cases, this is a very poor decision. And Social Security and retirement are not synonymous.
Therefore, we tell people they need a PLAN – Social Security should not be taken just because you are entitled to receive it. When, how and why need to be factored into your decision. Professional advice is simply a phone call away at 601-954-0699 or email us at dthompson@pillarsllc.com or visit our website at www.pillarsllc.com. Roy and Diane are both National Social Security Advisors and Roy is a former CPA of 40 years. We are Corinth, MS residents, but we service clients nationwide.
