Social Security Changes for the Year 2019

Social Security Changes for the Year 2019

Social security benefits include disability benefits granted on the basis of a medical record review. Here are some changes to social security in 2019.

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Social security retirement funds and social security disability funds are considered important means of sustenance for seniors and disabled individuals who do not have other income. Disability benefits are granted on the basis of a medical record review to establish the disability.

Though the benefits may not be sufficient enough to ensure

seniors the comfortable lifestyle they want in retirement, it enables them to pay for various things like cable TV, modest housing, food, and other necessities. There are some important changes such as the following coming for social security in 2019.  COLA (Cost-of-living adjustment) will increase: In January 2019, retirees will witness the largest increase in their social security benefits in 7 years. The average monthly payment will increase by 2.8%. Though this average hike of $39 a month is not a huge amount, it can make a significant difference for many older Americans.

The SSA estimates that the average benefit paid to retired workers will increase from $1,422 to $1,461.  Maximum taxable earnings will increase: The yearly social security tax is assessed at a rate of 6.2% for employers and employees, but only on earnings up to a certain limit or threshold. This threshold is known as the social security maximum taxable earnings. For the year 2019, the maximum taxable earnings will rise by $4,500 – from $128,400 to $132,900. If you earn $150,000 in social security-covered employment in 2019, $132,900 of those earnings will be taxed. The remaining $17,100 will not be taxed. The maximum tax an employee could pay social security would increase from $7,960.80 in 2018 to $8,239.80 in 2019.  Full retirement age will continue to increase: You can claim social security benefits when you reach age 62, but full retirement age is at least 65, based on when you were born. For Americans born in 1957, i.e. those who are turning 62 in 2019, full retirement age will increase to 66 years and 6 months (2 months later than it was for people who turned 62 in 2018). You can make use of the SSA’s retirement age calculator to find out your correct full retirement age.  Earnings limit for working retirees will increase: For those who claim social security retirement benefits before reaching full retirement age, and are still working, the SSA could withhold some of those benefits. This depends on whether you earn more than a certain amount. For the year 2019, 

that amount will increase from $17,040 to $17,640 if you reach full retirement age after 2019;

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and from $45,360 to $46,920 if you reach full retirement age in 2019

 You will require more earnings for one social security credit: To qualify for social security benefits, you have to earn 40 social security credits or quarters of

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coverage. For the year 2019, one credit signifies $1,360 in earnings, and that is an increase of $40 from 2018. ďƒ˜ The maximum social security benefit will be $73 higher: The maximum possible social security benefits a person claiming the benefits at full retirement age can get is $2,861 per month. This could be a higher amount if workers entitled to the maximum decide to wait longer to claim. If they wait until they turn 70 in 2023, their benefit would begin at $3,776.52 plus any COLAs that could be given.

Social security benefit application processing is quite complex and tedious. Disability attorneys usually utilize a medical review service to evaluate the medical facts of the case. As far as social security is concerned, people must ensure that they understand the changing rules so that they can make the right planning. The lawmakers on their part are considering various ways to save the program. These ways include increasing the full retirement age further; having big earners pay more in social security taxes; and redefining how COLA is calculated to a formula that would increase the annual COLA more slowly. A great way of retirement planning would be to build your personal savings in a tax-advantaged account such as a 401 (k) or IRA. Keeping investment costs low, rolling over the amount of retirement savings during a change of job, and not borrowing from your retirement accounts are other important things to consider.

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