Objective
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- Identify who is entitled to retirement benefits and in what amounts 

- Identify factors to consider in determining when to take benefits 

- Discuss taxation of Social Security benefits and how this impacts other income tax planning 

- Identify and describe the potential effects of retirement and estate planning strategies and tactics that can enhance overall retirement 

- Explain Medicare and the prescription drug provision; describe the basic supplementary insurance plans that are available to fill in the gaps in basic Medicare coverage 

Highlights
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- Legislative developments 

- A full chapter devoted to determining the best planning options for maximizing joint Social Security benefits 

- Retirement benefits: Amount of benefits in various circumstances; how the amounts are distributed within the family unit 

- Qualification: Has the client retired? How business entities may be used for Social Security advantage 

- Income taxation of Social Security: avoidance tactics 

- Spousal benefits: Should a spouse return to work? What benefits does a spouse have and when and how do they relate to benefits decisions by the client? 

- When can hiring the spouse increase overall benefits? Why should both spouses qualify for survivor benefits? 

- Disability benefits 

- When to start Social Security benefits: Advantages and disadvantages at ages 62, full retirement age, and 70 

- Coordinating benefits: Should you take Social Security first and higher-balance IRA distributions later, or take IRA balances first and enhanced Social Security benefits later? 

- Pensions: Distribution strategies; how to use the minimum distribution rules in concert with Social Security benefits 

- IRAs: Is it time to convert to a Roth? 

- Medicare, Part D prescription drugs: what retirees need to know 

Designed For
Practitioners who have clients contemplating receipt of Social SecurityPrerequisite
NoneAdvanced Preparation
None