Category Archives: Social Security

Creating a Valid Ministerial Housing Allowance

Posted on April 13, 2015 by benefitsboard

The following simple steps should be taken to assure that the ministers’ housing allowance is created properly: The minister should determine his yearly housing costs by using the Estimate of Housing Allowance form (may be obtained at http://www.benefitsboard.com). The Estimate … Continue reading →

Posted in 03 - March 2015, Informational Manuals, Ministerial Housing Allowance, Ministers, Social Security, Tax Information | Leave a comment

Audit Tips

Posted on March 6, 2015 by benefitsboard

Your chances of being audited by the Internal Revenue Service are going up, but only slightly. For example, in 2001 the IRS audited 732,000 individual returns compared to only 618,000 in 2000. However, in 2014 the IRS was expected to … Continue reading →

Posted in 03 - March 2015, Chaplains/Evangelists, Charitable Gifts, Form 1099, Form W-2, Informational Manuals, Internal Revenue Service, Ministerial Housing Allowance, Ministers, Pay Roll Taxes, Social Security, Tax Information | Leave a comment

No More “Do-Over” From Social Security

Posted on December 30, 2014 by benefitsboard

In times past, Social Security recipients could file for benefits after reaching 62 years of age, later repay those benefits before reaching age 70, and then start over again drawing with a larger payout. This “do-over” provision has all but … Continue reading →

Posted in 08 - August 2014, Social Security | Leave a comment

Taking Social Security Benefits Early – Use the Calculator

Posted on December 30, 2014 by benefitsboard

One of the biggest decisions facing retirees today is whether they should start drawing their Social Security benefits prior to reaching full “retirement age.” According to the Social Security Administration, “retirement age” is a sliding scale based upon the year … Continue reading →

Posted in 06 - June 2014, Social Security | Leave a comment

Social Security Statements are Now Available

Posted on April 11, 2014 by benefitsboard

The Social Security Administration is now providing online statements for individuals to view the estimated benefits that person will receive when they retire, replacing the paper statements the agency use to mail out a couple months prior to your birthday … Continue reading →

Posted in 04 - April 2014, Social Security | Leave a comment

No Self-Employment Tax on MRP Retirement Income

Posted on February 13, 2014 by benefitsboard

At tax time, the Benefits Board gets a lot of questions about the IRS Form 1099-Rs that are sent to participants in January showing the amount of the participant’s distributions for the previous year. The most common question regards whether … Continue reading →

Posted in Pay Roll Taxes, Retirement Distributions, Social Security | Leave a comment

Social Security – Not the Deal it Once Was for Workers

Posted on November 25, 2013 by benefitsboard

People retiring today are part of the first generation of workers who have paid more in Social Security taxes during their careers than they will receive in benefits after they retire.  It’s a historic shift that will only get worse … Continue reading →

Posted in Retirees, Social Security | Leave a comment

Planning for Death

Posted on November 25, 2013 by benefitsboard

In a previous article, we discussed “Planning for Life.” Here I would like to talk about a slightly less appealing topic – getting your house in order for your death. Now this is certainly not a topic that you want … Continue reading →

Posted in Retirees, Retirement Contributions, Retirement Distributions, Social Security, Wills and Estates | Leave a comment

No More “Do-Over” From Social Security

Posted on August 9, 2013 by benefitsboard

In times past, Social Security recipients could file for benefits after reaching 62 years of age, later repay those benefits before reaching age 70, and then start over again drawing with a larger payout. This “do-over” provision has all but … Continue reading →

Posted in Social Security | Leave a comment

Taking Social Security Benefits Early – Use the Calculator

Posted on June 12, 2013 by benefitsboard

One of the biggest decisions facing retirees today is whether they should start drawing their Social Security benefits prior to reaching full “retirement age.” According to the Social Security Administration, “retirement age” is a sliding scale based upon the year … Continue reading →

Posted in Retirees, Social Security | Leave a comment