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Social Security: Indispensable Information for Financial Professionals - FLEXCAST

Available Until Wednesday, May 31

Your Desk

2.0 Credits

Member Price $98.00

Non-Member Price $113.00

Overview

This course discusses the basics of the Social Security program, including a review of the most recent rule changes made in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015. Along with background information on the Social Security program history, funding and how benefits are calculated, descriptions of benefits available for married, single, divorced, and widowed retirees are given. Case study examples explain the most commonly used rules and strategies needed to optimize Social Security benefits through the comparison of best vs. worst claiming decisions. The importance of determining optimal Social Security income claiming strategies is explained for its importance when examining portfolio withdrawal strategies to create a reliable retirement financial plan for your clients. Required client information, terminology, acronyms, and concepts needed to understand how to optimize benefits are presented.

Highlights

The basics of the Social Security program.

Prerequisites

None.

Designed For

CPAs, financial professionals, enrolled agents and attorneys.

Objectives

Recognize important Social Security program historical facts, changes to the program, and possible future adjustments for the trust fund to remain solvent. Identify the components of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, noting its late passage, phase out of claiming strategies, options, and age deadlines. Recognize the most commonly used Social Security terms and acronyms. Note the funding mechanisms of Social Security, including maximum taxable earnings amounts. Recognize the elements of calculating social security benefits, including how to calculate AIME and PIA. Note the age at which full retirement benefits can be collected, time windows to fix an incorrect income election. Describe the importance of considering life expectancy when determining when to claim Social Security benefits.

Preparation

None.

Notice

  • This is a FlexCast™ (no exam required) and may be viewed only Monday - Saturday, 5am - 5pm PT. 
  • You may take up to one year from the date of purchase to complete the course. 
  • Pause your FlexCast and resume at a convenient day during the hours above.  
  • Partial credit for 2+ credit courses:  If you are unable to complete the course in one sitting, partial credit can be awarded (minimum of one credit). To earn the remaining credits, you must return later and start the course from the beginning.
  •  Use chat to ask questions of a subject matter expert during the program. 

Leader(s):

Leader Bios

Martha Shedden

Martha Shedden is passionate and enthusiastic about educating retirees and financial and tax professionals on the details of Social Security income planning, which she sees as the foundation and first step towards creating a financially secure retirement plan. She is certified as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and is a Registered Social Security Analyst (RSSA). Martha launched her business, Shedden Social Security & Retirement Planning, in 2015 to educate retiree clients on the intricacies of the Social Security program. Her services include providing Social Security and retirement cash flow analyses. Her goal is to help clients optimize their Social Security claiming age decision and provide them with a road map to gaining the most net after-tax income throughout their retirement years. She is also co-founder of the National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts, NARSSA, an online Social Security education and training program for tax and financial professionals who want to offer these types of services. www.narssa.org Martha was a practicing registered civil engineer for over 32 years, a profession she retired from in 2017 to devote her energy full-time to educating professionals and helping retirees with Social Security. She enjoys the detailed, problem solving aspect of Social Security income planning and especially sharing her expertise with others and helping retirees make their best claiming decision.

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Non-Member Price $113.00

Member Price $98.00

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