Index card · Retirement
Social Security, pension and paycheck-effect calculators
Four calculators for income decisions: claiming age, the weight of Social Security in a plan, pension versus lump sum, and what a contribution does to a paycheck.
Claiming Social Security and choosing a pension option are often irreversible. These calculators let clients see the trade-offs with SSA rules, such as a full retirement age of 672026 · SSA for those born in 1960 or later, before they sit down with you.
Social Security Benefit
should I take social security at 62 or wait
How Important Is Social Security?
what happens to my retirement if social security is cut
Pension vs. Lump Sum
is it better to take a pension lump sum or monthly payments
Contribution Effect on Your Paycheck
how much will my paycheck go down if I contribute more to my 401k
When income decisions come up
Contribution Effect on Your Paycheck
January, when new contribution rates start. “how much will my paycheck go down if I contribute more to my 401k”
How Important Is Social Security?
When Social Security trust fund headlines appear. “what happens to my retirement if social security is cut”
Social Security Benefit
The year before a client turns 62. “should I take social security at 62 or wait”
Pension vs. Lump Sum
When the election packet arrives, often with a 60- to 90-day window. “is it better to take a pension lump sum or monthly payments”
Pensions & Social Security: questions firms ask
How does the Social Security calculator estimate benefits?
From average earnings the client enters, using the 2026 bend points of $1,286 and $7,7492026 · SSA, with reductions for early claiming and credits of 8% a year after full retirement age, up to age 702026 · SSA.
Is it the client's official benefit?
No. The official estimate is in the client's my Social Security account. The calculator is for comparing claiming ages.
What does pension vs. lump sum compare?
The present value of the annuity at a discount rate the client chooses against the lump sum offered.
What is the contribution-effect calculator?
It shows how raising a pre-tax or Roth contribution changes take-home pay, which helps employees act at open enrollment.
How much can claiming early reduce a benefit?
For a full retirement age of 67, claiming at 62 reduces it by up to 30%2026 · SSA.
Who should feature these?
Planners and RIAs with pre-retiree clients, and CPA firms that help with pension elections.
Do they include spousal benefits?
The benefit calculator focuses on the worker's own benefit; spousal strategies are a professional conversation.
Which plan includes them?
Network.
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Other retirement sections
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Be there for the irreversible decisions
Embed Social Security and pension calculators and receive the details before a client files or elects.
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