KarenP12
Expert Alumni

Retirement tax questions

You have two different items affecting your social security:

Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision:  https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10045.pdf 

SS WEP will reduce your income unless you qualify for some of the exceptions on the bottom of page 1 in the section on Some Exceptions.   If you do not qualify, which based on your question it sounds like you may not, then you will have the reduction.  I believe you have figured that out to about 50%.

 

In addition, if you keep working Social Security can also reduce your payment until you reach your full retirement age.  If you were born between 1/2/1959 and 1/1/1960 full retirement is 66 years and 10 months.  For 2021 the reduction is $1 from your benefits for each $2 you earn above $18,960.   This amount will change on the year that you reach full retirement age to $1 from every $3 you earn above $50,520.  These amounts will change for future years, so please look up the exact amount for the year you retiring and when you were born.  Here is a good resource for this year:  https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10069.pdf 

 

For California a good reference for 2020 as to how things are taxed and if you have a basis in your IRA or pension can be found at:  https://www.ftb.ca.gov/forms/2020/2020-1005-publication.pdf 

 

As to whether or not to take Social Security as soon as possible, will depend on your financial situation.  It would be best to sit down with a financial advisor to evaluate the specifics of your particular situation, who can see your entire situation.

 

The Social Security Administration has a great set of tools to help you understand the reductions until you reach full retirement age.  They can be accessed either at your local Social Security office or at:   https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/agereduction.html 

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