|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Just because you're retired doesn't mean you're not working.
|
 Although the traditional retirement
age is 65, many people retire earlier - often in their early 60s. And many other
people go on working into their 70s or longer. In some cases, you can collect a
pension
from one job while working full-time at another. Or you can work part-time for the
same company from which you've retired. Check first, though. Sometimes there are
restrictions on what's known as double-dipping, or collecting a salary and a pension
from the same employer.
|
|
The good news is that you don't actually lose the money that's withheld because
you earn more than the income limit. Rather, your benefits will be increased when
you reach full retirement age to make up for the amounts that you didn't receive
earlier.
|
DEALING WITH SOCIAL SECURITY
If you're working and collecting benefits, you must estimate your earnings
for the Social Security Administration (SSA). If you expect to earn more than the
limit for any year, the SSA reduces the number of checks you receive based on your
estimate.
If it turns out that you earn less than you estimated, then the SSA will issue a
check to make up what you're owed. If you earn more than you estimated, you'll have
to repay the SSA any excess benefits you were paid, either in installments or a
lump sum.
Trying to keep the SSA in the dark is a bad idea. If you don't report that you're
working, you'll have to pay a penalty as well as return any overpayment of benefits
you do receive.
STARTING AGAIN
You may be able to change your mind about the right time to begin collecting your
Social Security benefits. The only catch is that you must act within a year of receiving
your first check. What you have to do is let Social Security know that you want
to stop the benefits, usually because you have decided to go back to work full-time
For example, if you retire at 62 and go back to work at 63, you
can end your benefits, repay what you've received, and postpone collecting until
you actually retire. Since you'll be contributing again, you're likely to increase
the base amount on which the new benefit is figured.
SPENDING VERSUS INVESTING
One of the major decisions you'll face if you work after you retire is what to do
with your earnings. If you can live on investment income or a pension from your
previous job, you can invest some of your current earnings in a retirement program,
such as an individual retirement arrangement (IRA) or a
salary reduction plan. That allows a portion of your post-retirement
earnings to accumulate
tax-deferred so in the future you'll have more assets to convert
to income.
When you do stop working for good, or if you need the money in an emergency and
are older than 59 1/2, you have the added advantage of being able to withdraw IRA
money for any purpose without owing a penalty.
WORKING PART-TIME
You may be thinking about working after retirement because you need more money to
live on, or because you'd like extra cash to spend on things you enjoy. Working
part-time could mean you'd continue to be eligible for your full Social Security
benefits.
For example, if you were between ages 62 and 65 and earned $200 a week, you'd still
be eligible for your full Social Security benefit. But the extra $800 a month could
make the difference between feeling secure and being forced to cut back on necessities,
or between being able to take a cross-country trip and having to stay home.
Many employers like part-time workers because they don't have to provide health
insurance, retirement plans, and other benefits. If you've got retirement health
benefits, for example, or qualify for Medicare, you don't need coverage at your
post-retirement job. You may also find part-time positions that are open to people
who can work during school hours, when young people are in class.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
