The Social Security system has been questioned by people for years. In June, the Social Security Board of Trustees released its annual report on the long-term financial status of the Social Security Trust Funds. It projects that the combined asset reserves of the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Disability Insurance (OASDI) Trust Funds will become depleted in 2034. In addition, the Disability Insurance Trust Fund will become depleted in 2023.

More generally, people approaching retirement age often have other questions about benefits they may be eligible to receive from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Here are the answers to several common inquiries.

How Soon Can I Start Collecting Retirement Benefits?

You must wait until you reach the so-called full retirement age (FRA) if you want to receive full retirement benefits from the SSA. However, you may apply for benefits as early as age 62. Starting early will reduce your monthly benefits by as much as 30%, but, of course, you’ll receive benefits for more years. Your tax adviser can help figure out the exact monthly benefit reduction and help you determine if you likely will be better off waiting until your FRA to start taking benefits.

What Is My FRA?

Your FRA depends on the year in which you were born.

Refer to the previous year if you were born on January 1 of any year, and if you were born on the first of the month, the SSA figures your benefit (and your FRA) as if your birthday were in the previous month.

When and How Do I Apply for Social Security Retirement Benefits?

Figure out when you want your payments to start, and then apply for retirement benefits three months before that date. Certain documents may be requested by the SSA in order to pay benefits, including:

• Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status if you were not born in the United States,
• Your original birth certificate or other proof of birth,
• A marriage certificate or divorce decree when applying for spousal benefits,
• A copy of your U.S. military service paper(s) if you performed military service before 1968, and
• A copy of your W-2 Form(s) and/or self-employment tax return for the prior year.

For most retirees, using the online application is the easiest way to apply for benefits.

What Happens if I Receive Social Security Retirement Benefits While Still Working?

If you’re under FRA and earn more than the annual limit (subject to inflation indexing), your benefits will be reduced, as follows:

• If you’re under FRA for the entire year, you forfeit $1 in benefits for every $2 earned above the annual limit. For 2016, the limit is $15,720.
• In the year in which you reach FRA, you forfeit $1 in benefits for every $3 earned above a separate limit, but only for earnings before the month you reach FRA. The limit in 2016 is $41,880.

You can receive your benefits without regard to your earnings beginning with the month in which you reach FRA.

Can I Collect More Benefits if I Retire After My FRA?

After reaching FRA, you can receive increased monthly benefits by applying for Social Security. The benefits may increase by as much as 32% if you wait until age 70, but of course you’ll receive benefits for fewer years. There is no further increase after age 70. Your tax adviser can help calculate the payout for waiting to collect your retirement benefits and help you determine if you likely will be better off waiting beyond your FRA to start taking benefits.

Can I Manage Retirement Benefits for an Incapacitated Person?

Contact your local Social Security office if a Social Security recipient needs help managing his or her retirement benefits — perhaps an elderly parent. In order to assume responsibility for using the funds for the recipient’s benefit, you must apply to become that person’s representative payee.

Do I Qualify for Social Security Survivors Benefits?

A spouse and children of a deceased person may be eligible for benefits based on the deceased’s earnings record as follows:

A widow or widower can receive benefits:

• At age 60 or older,
• At age 50 or older if disabled, or
• At any age if she or he takes care of a child of the deceased who is younger than age 16 or disabled.

A surviving ex-spouse might also be eligible for benefits under certain circumstances. In addition, unmarried children can receive benefits if they’re:

• Younger than age 18 (or up to age 19 if they are attending elementary or secondary school full-time), or
• Any age and were disabled before age 22 and remain disabled.

Benefits also can be paid to stepchildren, grandchildren, stepgrandchildren or adopted children under specific circumstances. In addition, dependent parents age 62 or older who received at least one-half support from the deceased may be eligible to receive benefits.

A one-time payment of $255 may be made only to a spouse or child if he or she meets certain requirements. Survivors must apply for this payment within two years of the date of death.

Are Social Security Benefits Subject to Income Tax?

If your provisional income (PI) exceeds the thresholds within a two-tier system, you’ll be taxed on Social Security benefits.

PI between $32,000 and $44,000 ($25,000 and $34,000 for single filers). Recipients in this range are taxed on the lesser of 1) one-half of their benefits or 2) 50% of the amount by which PI exceeds $32,000 ($25,000 for single filers).

PI above $44,000 ($34,000 for single filers). Recipients above this threshold are taxed on 85% of the amount by which PI exceeds $44,000 ($34,000 for single filers) plus the lesser of 1) the amount determined under the first tier or 2) $6,000 ($4,500 for single filers).

PI equals the sum of 1) your adjusted gross income, 2) your tax-exempt interest income, and 3) one-half of the Social Security benefits received.

Contact your financial advisor or Filler & Associates if you have additional questions about receiving Social Security retirement benefits. They will help you navigate the application process and understand tax issues related to receiving retirement benefits.