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Chapter 14 Financial Planning Exercise 5 Average Social Security benefits and taxes

Use Exhibit 14.3 to estimate the average Social Security benefits for a retired couple. Assume that one spouse has a part-time job that pays $30,000 a year, and that this person also receives another $37,500 a year from a company pension. Assume that the earnings limit was $17,640 per year. Also assume for Social Security benefits the recipients are aged below 67 and will lose $1 in benefits for every $2 they earn above the earnings test amount. Also assume that they would have to pay taxes of 50% on a combined income between $32,000 and $44,000 of their Social Security benefits. If their combined income is more than $44,000, up to 85% of their Social Security benefits is subject to income tax. Round your answer to the nearest dollar.

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Based on current policies, what would be the amount of social security income liable for tax? Enter zero, if no tax is liable. Round your answer to the nearest dollar.

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EXHIBIT 14.3 Average Monthly Social Security Benefits Paid in 2019 The Social Security benefits listed here are averages that include a variety of ages at which beneficiaries retired. As time passes, the beneficiary will receive correspondingly higher benefits as the cost of living goes up. However, these average benefits dramatize that you should not rely on such benefits too heavily in your retirement planning. Type of Beneficiary Retired worker Retired couple Disabled worker Disabled worker with a young spouse and child Widow or widower Young widow or widower with two children Average Monthly Benefit $1,461 $2,448 $1,234 $2,130 $1,386 $2,876 Source: "Understanding the Benefits 2019" https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10024.pdf, accessed January 2020. EXHIBIT 14.3 Average Monthly Social Security Benefits Paid in 2019 The Social Security benefits listed here are averages that include a variety of ages at which beneficiaries retired. As time passes, the beneficiary will receive correspondingly higher benefits as the cost of living goes up. However, these average benefits dramatize that you should not rely on such benefits too heavily in your retirement planning. Type of Beneficiary Retired worker Retired couple Disabled worker Disabled worker with a young spouse and child Widow or widower Young widow or widower with two children Average Monthly Benefit $1,461 $2,448 $1,234 $2,130 $1,386 $2,876 Source: "Understanding the Benefits 2019" https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10024.pdf, accessed January 2020