As retirement approaches, one of the most important decisions individuals have to make is when to claim Social Security benefits like a Strange But True Free Loan. Currently, retirees have the option to claim at the Full Retirement Age (FRA) and receive full benefits, claim as early as age 62 with reduced benefits, or delay retirement until age 70 for higher monthly benefits. These options are actuarially fair for individuals with average life expectancy, meaning that regardless of when they claim between the ages of 62 and 70, they will receive the same lifetime benefits.
However, there is a lesser-known claiming strategy called the “Strange But True: Free Loan from Social Security” that has the potential to increase lifetime benefits for some individuals while increasing costs for the Social Security system. This strategy allows individuals who are already collecting benefits to change their minds and start over. For example, an individual can claim Social Security at age 62 and then reclaim it at age 70 to receive a higher benefit, provided they pay back the benefits they have received. By investing the money received and keeping the interest, the claimant essentially receives an interest-free loan from Strange But True: Free Loan from Social Security.
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How the “Strange But True” Free Loan Strategy Works
The “Strange But True”: Free Loan from Social Security strategy involves claiming Social Security benefits at age 62 and then repaying the benefits received when reclaiming at age 70. The amount to be repaid includes the nominal amount of the benefits, but not the interest earned on the investment made with those benefits. This strategy is especially beneficial for individuals with average life expectancy as they can increase their lifetime benefits by the amount of investment earnings. If the claimant dies before reaching average life expectancy, there may be a loss involved, but the strategy still dominates simply claiming at age 70.
To understand the potential benefits of this “Strange But True”: Free Loan from Social Security, let’s consider an example. Based on Social Security life tables, the average 62-year-old born in 1944 has a life expectancy of approximately 21 years. Their Full Retirement Age is 66, at which point they are entitled to 100% of their primary insurance amount (PIA). If they choose to claim at 62, they will receive 75% of their PIA, and if they delay retirement until 70, they will receive a maximum benefit of 132% of their PIA. Table 1 illustrates the percentage of PIA received with the “Free Loan” strategy at different ages.
Percent of PIA Received with the “Free Loan” Strategy, by Age
| Age | Percent of PIA Received |
| 62 | 75% |
| 65 | 89% |
| 68 | 107% |
| 71 | 122% |
| 74 | 134% |
| 77 | 144% |
| 80 | 152% |
| 83 | 158% |
Cost to the Social Security System
While individuals can gain from the “Strange But True”: Free Loan from Social Security strategy, it also comes with a cost to the Social Security system. To calculate the total cost, earnings data from the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative survey of older Americans, is used to estimate each respondent’s PIA and their potential welfare gain. In the most conservative scenario, the cost is calculated assuming that every individual aged 70 who is likely to benefit from the strategy in 2006 takes advantage of it.
Consideration of life expectancy is crucial in estimating the potential annual cost to the system. Individuals with lower life expectancies may not benefit from the strategy since they may not live long enough to recoup the benefits repaid at age 70. To account for this, probabilities of living to the break-even age are assigned based on gender, race, and educational attainment. The expected annual cost to the system is then calculated by multiplying each person’s potential gain by the probability of being alive at the break-even age.
Under different financial constraints, the estimated cost of the system varies. For individuals with moderate financial constraints, the cost is estimated assuming they have net worth equal to at least twice the amount they would need to repay at age 70 minus the earned interest. For individuals with strict financial constraints, the cost is estimated assuming they have financial assets twice the amount needed to repay at 70 minus the earned interest. The estimated costs under these constraints range from $5.5 billion to $8.7 billion.
Who Will Benefit?
The “Strange But True”: Free Loan from Social Security strategy has certain limitations and constraints that determine who can benefit from it. In terms of life expectancy, approximately 60% of men and 70% of women at age 70 are expected to live long enough to break even on this strategy. Financial constraints also play a role, as individuals must have enough wealth to live on while employing this strategy. When considering moderate financial constraints, the percentage of men and women who can take advantage of the strategy drops to 46% and 56%, respectively. Under strict financial constraints, the percentage further decreases to 30% for men and 32% for women.
The potential gain from the strategy is concentrated among individuals in the top two quintiles of wealth distribution. This creates more inequity between those who can afford to retire comfortably and those who are financially unprepared for retirement. Most of the expected gains, ranging from $5.5 billion to $8.7 billion, accrue to individuals in the top quintiles of the wealth distribution.
Potential Drawbacks of the Strategy
While the “Strange But True”: Free Loan from Social Security strategy may seem appealing, there are several potential drawbacks to consider. First and foremost, the strategy relies on the individual’s ability to generate a higher return on their investments than the interest earned from Social Security. This carries inherent risks, as investment returns are not guaranteed and market conditions can fluctuate.
Furthermore, the free loan strategy may not be suitable for individuals who rely heavily on Social Security benefits for their retirement income. Claiming benefits early and investing them elsewhere may leave these individuals with a reduced monthly income, which could impact their financial stability in retirement.
The Impact of Limiting the Strategy
In 2010, the U.S. Social Security Administration substantially limited the use of the free loan strategy. This decision was driven by the potential cost implications for the Social Security system. By restricting the strategy, the administration aimed to protect the long-term sustainability of the program and ensure that benefits are distributed fairly among all retirees.
FAQs
Q1. What is the “Strange But True”: Free Loan from Social Security strategy, and how does it work?
The “Free Loan” strategy involves claiming Social Security benefits at age 62 and later reclaiming them at age 70 to receive higher benefits. The claimant repays the nominal amount of benefits received but keeps the interest earned by investing the money received. This strategy is beneficial for individuals with average life expectancy, as it increases lifetime benefits by the amount of investment earnings, resulting in higher benefits and an interest-free loan from Social Security.
Q2. How does the “Strange But True”: Free Loan from Social Security strategy impact Social Security benefits at different ages?
The “Free Loan” strategy increases Social Security benefits over time. For example, at age 65, the claimant receives 89% of their primary insurance amount (PIA), and at age 80, they receive 152% of PIA. By leveraging the strategy, individuals can collect benefits and earn interest, leading to a higher overall Social Security benefit.
Q3. What are the costs to the Social Security system associated with the “Strange But True”: Free Loan from Social Security strategy?
The “Free Loan” strategy incurs costs to the Social Security system, calculated by estimating potential gains and considering life expectancy. Under different financial constraints, the estimated costs range from $5.5 billion to $8.7 billion. The calculation involves assessing individuals’ potential welfare gains and the probability of being alive at the break-even age.
Q4. Who is likely to benefit from the “Strange But True”: Free Loan from Social Security strategy, and what are the determining factors?
Approximately 60% of men and 70% of women at age 70 are expected to benefit from the “Free Loan” strategy, considering life expectancy. Financial constraints play a role, and under moderate constraints, the percentage decreases to 46% for men and 56% for women. The strategy’s potential gain is concentrated among individuals in the top two quintiles of wealth distribution.
Q5. How might the “Strange But True”: Free Loan from Social Security strategy impact the Social Security system in the future?
With the ageing population, rising Full Retirement Age, and availability of more liquid assets, the number of individuals able to utilize the “Strange But True”: Free Loan from Social Security strategy is likely to increase. This could lead to a higher potential cost, putting additional strain on the Social Security system. Policymakers may need to consider modifications to address these challenges and trim costs while ensuring the program’s sustainability. Individuals should carefully weigh their claiming options considering the long-term implications for the Social Security program.
Conclusion
While the “Strange But True”: Free Loan from Social Security strategy may seem like a clever way to increase lifetime benefits, it comes at a cost to the Social Security system. With the ageing population and the need for modifications to the current system, policymakers will be looking for ways to trim costs. Allowing interest-free loans from Social Security, which primarily benefit high-income households, adds a substantial annual cost to the program.
Furthermore, the number of individuals who can take advantage of this strategy is likely to increase in the future due to the growing population, the rise in the Full Retirement Age, and the availability of more liquid assets. As a result, the potential cost of this strategy will continue to rise, putting additional strain on the Social Security system.
It is important for individuals to carefully consider their claiming options and weigh the potential gains against the long-term implications for the Social Security program.