Prof. Kaplan (IL) on planning for retirement

Dick Kaplan’s article entitled “A Guide to Starting Social Security Benefits,” has justappeared in the Journal of Retirement Planning (July-Aug. 2008) and isavailable at: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1192902

Abstract:  When a person should begin takingSocial Security retirement benefits is a critical question for planning one’sretirement. This article explains the various factors at play in determiningthe optimum starting point, including: longevity considerations; spousalimplications, whether for a previously employed or a previously unemployedspouse; the impact of post-retirement employment; the availability of healthinsurance prior to Medicare eligibility for the worker and the worker’s spouse;alternative sources of retirement income, including distributions fromretirement savings plan assets and lifetime liquidation of nonretirement assets(and the pertinent income tax ramifications); and anticipated investmentstrategies.

Dick rules!