Live Your Best Life on Social Security in Las Vegas
Sandy will show you how! All the tips and tricks from someone with 20 years of experience working to give seniors the most out of Social Security in Las Vegas.
Social Security Basics
Social Security is a suite of benefits run by the United States government, signed into law in 1935 after the Great Depression.
Social Security includes a range of benefits, like disability payments, survivor benefits, supplemental security income, medical insurance in the form of Medicare, and the retirement plan that it’s most well-known for.
On this site, we’ll use Social Security to mean the retirement portion of this federal program.
The government takes social security taxes out of your paycheck while you’re actively working and invests that money for your future retirement. This is income that you’ve earned, not a handout. However, since it’s a government program, there are rules about when you can access your money.
62
62 is the earliest you can claim Social Security, but there are major impacts to your monthly payments when you claim this early.
65
At 65, you're required to apply for Medicare Part B. There's a 10% penalty if you don't register for Medicare Part B at 65.
67
67 is your full retirement age if you were born after 1960, but you get an 8% increase every year you delay claiming Social Security benefits up to age 70.
70
At 70, you've reached your maximum Social Security payout amount. If you're still working, your earnings may impact how much Social Security you receive.
How much you get out of Social Security is calculated, in general, on your average earnings over the past 35 years of employment.
Sandy Kemp is here to help you figure out the best time to claim social security benefits.
Applying for Social Security in Las Vegas
Applying for Social Security can feel intimidating. You can apply online at secure websites like ssa.gov, by phone, or in person. Having an RSSA by your side through the process can give you confidence that you have all the necessary information, no matter how you apply.
You’ll need quite a bit of information before you apply. Most of the information is about your identity and your work history. You may be asked for the following documents:
- Current Social Security card
- Birth certificate
- Proof of citizenship if you were born outside the US
- Military discharge papers
- W2 forms or self-employment forms from the previous year
If you don’t have all the necessary documents right away, don’t worry. You can submit documents later, and sometimes the Social Security office can help get documents for you.
While you’re preparing to apply for Social Security, you may want to think about retirement planning in general, or you may have questions about Social Security and Medicare together. Social Security and Medicare are just two parts of the retirement puzzle. Talk with a Registered Social Security Analyst like Sandy Kemp to put all the pieces together.
Local Offices for Social Security in Las Vegas
Where’s the closest local Social Security office in Las Vegas? There are three Social Security offices in the metro area:
Social Security Website
With just 3 offices to serve nearly 100,000 seniors, talking to Social Security in Las Vegas in person is going to be hard. The Social Security Administration has a senior-friendly .gov website to help you with practically everything, like:
Double-check that you’re on the official government organization website before sharing any sensitive information, like your Social Security Number, to take advantage of these online services. There’s also a phone number to call.
However, wait lines are long to talk to a real person. Working with a Registered Social Security Analyst (RSSA) can give you the personal touch without going through the labyrinth of the government agencies directly.
What's an RSSA and how can they help me?
A Registered Social Security Analyst, or RSSA, is someone who has studied the ins and outs of the current Social Security system and has been tested by an independent third party on their knowledge. They re-certify every year to make sure they are on top of any changes to federal regulations.
RSSAs are your companion and advisor, a neutral third party to help you plan for your financial needs and maximize your Social Security retirement plan. Sandy Kemp is an RSSA in Las Vegas and will be with you every step of the way as you consider retirement.
Join Sandy for a free initial consultation. You’ll go over your work history, any marriages or children you may have or have had, private pensions or retirement funds, and any other issues that could have an impact on your Social Security claim.
After your conversation, Sandy will put together a Social Security claim approach personalized to your exact situation. You’ll be able to see all the factors that impact your Social Security payments in advance. You’ll have a clear plan of action and peace of mind that there will be no surprises.
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