Category Archives: Tom Clark

Why You Should Check Your Social Security Earnings Credits No Matter Your Age

Posted on March 17, 2021 by | Leave a comment

While many may argue contrary to our fantastic Social Security speaker whom we have had twice now Mr. Tom Clark who assures us that Social Security will always be there, many do not believe this for various reasons. 

No matter your beliefs or age we highly encourage you to check your Social Security Statement and most importantly your Social Security Earnings Record.  

Earnings Benefit Credit Statement

Do not be concerned if just as this example, does not show your 2020 earnings posted as of yet there have been some delays and normally this is not posted at an early time in the year anyway . 

What we want to be concerned about is if there are gaps in our earnings history or a partial credit (change of employers) that should have been credited. there are many reasons that this can occur such as just a lost document in the Mail or an employer was bought out or closed and did not report your hard earned earnings period. 

How Do I Find This Statement? 

In 1999, the Social Security Administration mailed a paper copy to everyone every year. Budget cuts a dozen years later stopped this handy paper copy, leaving all of us to easily forget to double check our statement annually. 

For the record according to the Administration folks at age 60 are supposed to receive a paper copy, but our informal poll shows a low hit ratio. 

Not to worry, it is not that hard set up an account, ESPECIALLY if it is your first time. 

Go to www.ssa.gov and either log into your account or create an account and pull down your statement…

Oh, keep your credentials safe … lost mine and was a huge pain getting logged back into the site!

Have a Great “Social Security Earnings History Check Reminder” Day!

John A. Kvale CFA, CFP

Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.

A Dallas Texas based fee only

Financial Planning Total Wealth

Management firm.

jkfinancialinc

street-cents

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Posted in Annual Reviewed, Investing/Financial Planning, Reminder, Retirement Planning, Social Security, Tom Clark, Why

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Part 15 : Tom Clark, Medicare Expert, with Audio – Three Medicare Supplemental Options – FINAL PART – Thanks Tom for all your content!

Posted on October 9, 2019 by | Leave a comment

This marks the last Part and as they say …  last but not least … Mr. Clark discusses the three options for Medicare Supplemental/Gap Policy. Let it be noted, you most certainly need these, but the good news is this is finally pretty straight forward.

 Direct Audio Here on our site for your viewing/listening pleasures as well as links to every full  post:

Once again, neatly there is a gold nugget of information in the audio, and a trick on where to find an easy phone number to call to get a referral for help – listen up and enjoy –

Medicare Supplement Explained Three Options 

  • Employer Offered Supplemental Private Insurance – this less often- likely best option if available – best coverage
  • Traditional Medicare – no network must buy a Medigap Policy A through F – Full comprehensive coverage- similar to full health coverage, but at the Medicare Level
  • Medicare Advantage – Like Medicare HMO – Network of People that must go through
  • 26 Medicare Advantage plans in DFW area-
  • Part D may or may not be available for Medicare Advantage
  • Do not try to do this all by yourself- see next
  • Local Non-Profit Agency – Dallas County would likely be the Dallas County Agency on Aging, Fort Worth would be the Tarrant County Agency on Aging
  • Dial – 211 – Phone Number for Social Service Referrals – NO kidding – Texas a state that this number works completely, may not be available in all states

Here is the audio…

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Click Here for Direct Link to All Parts Audio Posted on our Special Social Security Medicare Page

Have a Great “Medicare Supplement Options Explained” Day!

John A. Kvale CFA, CFP

Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.
A Dallas Texas based fee only
Financial Planning Total Wealth
Management firm.
jkfinancialinc
street-cents

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Posted in Audio, General Financial Planning, Investing/Financial Planning, Medicare, Retirement Planning, Tom Clark

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Part 14 : Tom Clark, Medicare Expert, with Audio – Medicare Part B Creation, Monthly Cost, IRMA Exclusions, IRMA Examples

Posted on October 2, 2019 by | Leave a comment

The most complex part of Medicare decisions comes from folks that work past age 65. The most important point of this entire second half of Mr. Clark’s presentation is that to get the most exact details for your situation you should check with your health insurance carrier. Frequently employers’ HR departments are outsourced and a recurring theme is the HR department is not in sync with the health insurance carrier.

Bottom line your health insurance carrier is your go to point of contact if you continue to work past age 65 as you will most certainly need to find out how they want you to handle your Medicare decisions.

 Direct Audio Here on our site for your viewing/listening pleasures as well as links to every full  post:

Much like our Social Security Benefits discussions, there are certain parts of Medicare Benefits that have more decisions and techniques to choose – Medicare Part B is by far the most detailed, confusing and has the most options to choose – The audio is terrific and gives more details than the bullets below – take a listen!

Medicare Part B Creation, Cost, IRMA, Benefits Options

Medicare Part B:

  • Doctor Bills coverage and outpatient coverage
  • Part B has a cost of $135/Month –
  • You can turn Part B down, but not a good decision unless you have current health insurance coverage “Not taking could be the worst financial decision you make” According to Clark
  • The $135/Month is about 1/4th of the actual premium – Government Supplements the 3/4 – see next
  • Income over $85k Individual or $175k Couple, you will pay more as the Government supplement goes away – IRMA – Income Related Monthly Adjusted Amount – click link for recent detailed analysis and solutions
  • IRMA – Everything but Roth counts towards income, including tax free, interest and anything
  • Started in 2005 to pay Medicare Part D, Drugs and prescription-
  • Can refute IRMA as administration has three year old data
  • Example for IRMA premiums – Severance
  • Social Security Favors Individual

Here is the audio…

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Click Here for Direct Link to All Parts Audio Posted on our Special Social Security Page

Have a Great “Intro to Medicare Part B” Day!

John A. Kvale CFA, CFP

Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.
A Dallas Texas based fee only
Financial Planning Total Wealth
Management firm.
jkfinancialinc
street-cents

Leave a comment

Posted in Audio, General Financial Planning, Investing/Financial Planning, Medicare, Retirement Planning, Tom Clark

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Part 13 : Tom Clark, Medicare Expert, with Audio – Medicare Part A Explained

Posted on September 25, 2019 by | Leave a comment

The most complex part of Medicare decisions comes from folks that work past age 65. The most important point of this entire second half of Mr. Clark’s presentation is that to get the most exact details for your situation you should check with your health insurance carrier. Frequently employers’ HR departments are outsourced and a recurring theme is the HR department is not in sync with the health insurance carrier.

Bottom line your health insurance carrier is your go to point of contact if you continue to work past age 65 as you will most certainly need to find out how they want you to handle your Medicare decisions.

 Direct Audio Here on our site for your viewing/listening pleasures as well as links to every full  post:

 

Medicare Part A Explained

During the meeting, there was a lot of jumping between Medicare Part A and B, with a ton of information on Part B coming in the next Part. Early in the audio, the most important item to note is re-iteration as above, for those many of us working beyond age 65, check with your Health Insurance Provider for the best source of accurate actions needed on your part – ok, here are the bullets from the Audio for Part A Medicare:

  • Medicare Part A only for Hospital care
  • Medicare Part A is funded via the 1.45% FICA Tax from your payroll during your working lifetime, as such no cost upon retirement/enrollment
  • Medicare Part A (B) starts at age 65 (Not age adjusted as Social Security)
  • Consult your Health Provider, not HR for best post 65 age Medicare Part A decisions and elections
  • Once on Medicare, cannot fund your HSA – a reason you may want to defer Part A if you have full other coverage options
  • If still employed and you do not take Medicare, you can still fund your HSA –
  • By deferring Medicare A you will have a small penalty on Medicare Part D – Drugs
  • Social Security . Gov website to start Medicare and can choose Part A and/or Part B
  • Careful when you file for Medicare Part A, normal look back of six months which may void your HSA – must sync this
  • If you are over 65 and drawing full retirement age, you automatically have Medicare Part A

This audio is a bit longer, but full of great examples for the bullets above …coming up the more complicated decisions of Medicare Part B –

Here is your audio…

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Click Here for Direct Link to All Parts Audio Posted on our Special Social Security and Medicare Page

Have a Great “Medicare Part A Explained” Day!

John A. Kvale CFA, CFP

Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.
A Dallas Texas based fee only
Financial Planning Total Wealth
Management firm.
jkfinancialinc
street-cents

Leave a comment

Posted in Audio, General Financial Planning, Investing/Financial Planning, Medicare, Retirement Planning, Tom Clark

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Part 12 : Tom Clark, Medicare Expert, with Audio – An introduction to Medicare, Background, Stats, Part A and B Explained

Posted on September 18, 2019 by | Leave a comment

What follows will be a multiple part series as we will attempt to explain the various parts of Medicare. In this first post, a high-level explanation of just Part A and B.

The most complex part of Medicare decisions comes from folks that work past age 65. The most important point of this entire second half of Mr. Clark’s presentation is that to get the most exact details for your situation you should check with your health insurance carrier. Frequently employers’ HR departments are outsourced and a recurring theme is the HR department is not in sync with the health insurance carrier.

Bottom line your health insurance carrier is your go to point of contact if you continue to work past age 65 as you will most certainly need to find out how they want you to handle your Medicare decisions.

 Direct Audio Here on our site for your viewing/listening pleasures as well as links to every full  post:

 

Medicare Statistics, Background and Part A and B Explained

OK here we go an introduction to stats and statistics and a high-level view of Medicare Part A and B:

  • Medicare is far more important than Social Security benefits as the government offset of Medical Costs are likely much greater than Social Security Benefits
  • Bet you didn’t know Medicare was started in 1965!
  • Medicare’s purpose is to provide substantial benefits at very reasonable costs for retired folks at age 65
  • Unlike Social Security Age 65 remains the age Medicare Benefits begin for retired people
  • Social Security Disability receivers are automatically enrolled into Medicare after two years of disability benefits
  • Part A is Hospital Insurance Benefits – Prepaid
  • 1.45% of FICA taxes used during work to prepay Part A
  • Part B Covers Doctor bills and out patient treatment
  • Part B has a cost- monthly starting premium of $135 month – there are means test that increase this cost
  • This cost is usually withheld from Social Security Benefit
  • If not taking Social Security, you will be billed directly

Here is the audio…

 

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Click Here for Direct Link to All Parts Audio Posted on our Special Social Security Page

Have a Great “Intro to Medicare” Day!

John A. Kvale CFA, CFP

Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.
A Dallas Texas based fee only
Financial Planning Total Wealth
Management firm.
jkfinancialinc
street-cents

Leave a comment

Posted in Audio, General Financial Planning, Investing/Financial Planning, Medicare, Retirement Planning, Tom Clark

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Part 11 : Tom Clark, Social Security Expert, with Audio – GRANDFATHERED BENEFITS – Decisions for Restricted Application Spousal Benefits Explained

Posted on September 11, 2019 by | Leave a comment

This is the final review of Social Security Benefits and actually a very unique one as this portion speaks to a VERY small group of people who are luckily grandfathered in under old laws and due to that fact have one additional option/decision/possible technique.

In Part 11, from our  Social Security Event earlier this year, Expert, Mr. Tom Clark, concludes the specifics of Social Security, Retirement Benefits for one age based spousal Decision …. that Social Security Provides. As a refresher,  Part 1 Here , Part 2 Here , Part 3 Here, Part 4 Here,  Part 5 Here, Part 6 here, Part 7 here, Part 8 here , Part 9 here, Part 10 here, and Direct Audio Here on our site for your viewing/listening pleasures:

Restricted Application Technique Benefit Option for Married Couples Meeting Grandfathered Age Criteria

While for a small and quickly shrinking group of folks due to the law change, the Grandfathering of a loophole technique/option makes this worth review :

  • Most applicable when two wage earners
  • Age 62 or older by end of 2015
  • Must not have filed Social Security yet
  • Restricted application for spouses only
  • This age group has the option to file on their spouse – as a reminder all others must always file on their own benefit first
  • Must be full retirement age before able to use technique
  • One member of couple is drawing social security already
  • Can file on spouses benefit and delay his/her own benefit to let benefit grow
  • Nice money based example near end of audio

 

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Click Here for Direct Link to All Parts Audio Posted on our Special Social Security Page

Have a Great “Restricted Application Spousal Benefit Explained” Day!

John A. Kvale CFA, CFP

Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.
A Dallas Texas based fee only
Financial Planning Total Wealth
Management firm.
jkfinancialinc
street-cents

Leave a comment

Posted in Audio, General Financial Planning, Investing/Financial Planning, Retirement Planning, Social Security, Tom Clark

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Part 10 : Tom Clark, Social Security Expert, with Audio – DIVORCED – Options, Obligations for Maximization, and Decisions for Ex Spousal Benefits Explained

Posted on August 28, 2019 by | Leave a comment

As we near the end of the Social Security Retirement Benefits portion (Medicare up next), the final Three Parts will be directly related to spousal benefits. Spousal benefits are EXACTLY the same no matter gender, so insert your preference for the easiest understanding.

Parts (8-10) will deal with the status of the spouse and how it effects retirement benefits for the other spouse:

  1. Living
  2. Deceased
  3. Divorced

As just a heads up, each section will become more detailed and complicated – so let’s get started on the various spouse benefits depending on the other’s status!

In Part 10, from our  Social Security Event earlier this year, Expert, Mr. Tom Clark, continued with the specifics of Social Security, Retirement Benefits for DIVORCED spouses …. that Social Security Provides. As a refresher,  Part 1 Here , Part 2 Here , Part 3 Here, Part 4 Here,  Part 5 Here, Part 6 here, Part 7 here, Part 8 here , Part 9 here,  and Direct Audio Here on our site for your viewing/listening pleasures:

Retirement Benefits for DIVORCED Spouses

In this clip, it becomes very apparent that Divorce and Deceased Ex Spouses carry burdens by us the consumer to check with Social Security for possible increased benefits – also of note there IS a disadvantage to remarrying a lower income spouse :

  • Divorced Spouse must have been married 10 years, unmarried and meets all the benefits of current/regular Spouse to draw benefits – and is still unmarried.
  • Ex Spouses DO NOT effect in any way other benefits for others – Ex Spouse or new spouse’s benefits – Technically someone could be married and divorced as many times as longevity would allow, and as long as each time they were married 10 years all would receive benefits and NOT effect any others benefits!
  • If get remarried, cannot draw benefits on a living Ex husbands benefits.
  • Example:  Married to high income earner and get divorced,  remarry to a low income earner, likely will reduce benefits spousal benefits if yours are not greater on your own.
  • Near end of audio – important statement – If you are divorced, especially if your former spouse has remarried and the current spouse is drawing a spousal benefit, Social Security likely has no record of your marriage to that spouse – see next point
  • Should your EX spouse pass away, you may be entitled to and increase in benefits if you meet the requirements of current wife of widow.
  • Because of the first two points, you may consider calling Social Security to confirm your Ex is still living, if this is not the case, you may be entitled to an increase in benefits- again, something Social Security would have no idea due to remarriage of your Ex

Dealing with Divorced  Spousal benefits carriers obligations in order to maximize Social Security Benefits …

Be sure to listen to the audio below from the event, it is very informative!

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Click Here for Direct Link to All Parts Audio Posted on our Special Social Security Page

Have a Great “DIVORCED Spousal Benefits and Obligations Explained” Day!

John A. Kvale CFA, CFP

Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.
A Dallas Texas based fee only
Financial Planning Total Wealth
Management firm.
jkfinancialinc
street-cents

Leave a comment

Posted in Audio, General Financial Planning, Investing/Financial Planning, Retirement Planning, Social Security, Tom Clark

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Part 9 : Tom Clark, Social Security Expert, with Audio – DECEASED – Options and Decisions, Married Spousal Benefits Explained

Posted on August 21, 2019 by | Leave a comment

As we near the end of the Social Security Retirement Benefits portion (Medicare up next), the final Three Parts will be directly related to spousal benefits. Spousal benefits are EXACTLY the same no matter gender, so insert your preference for the easiest understanding.

Parts (8-10) will deal with the status of the spouse and how it effects retirement benefits for the other spouse:

  1. Living
  2. Deceased
  3. Divorced

As just a heads up, each section will become more detailed and complicated – so let’s get started on the various spouse benefits depending on the other’s status!

In Part 9, from our  Social Security Event earlier this year, Expert, Mr. Tom Clark, continued with the specifics of Social Security, Retirement Benefits for DECEASED spouses …. that Social Security Provides. As a refresher,  Part 1 Here , Part 2 Here , Part 3 Here, Part 4 Here,  Part 5 Here, Part 6 here, Part 7 here, Part 8 here  and Direct Audio Here on our site for your viewing/listening pleasures:

Retirement Benefits for DECEASED Spouses

The following bullets  will explain in type form the audio, please take a minute to listen as there is a ton of information in just 4 minutes:

  • Husband and Wife benefits same for deceased
  • Unlike living, a Widow Benefit based of FULL UN-REDUCED amount of Social Security Benefit
  • Example: Widow drawing own benefit spouse dies, the spouses benefit increased to the full amount
  • Widow can draw at age 60 unlike any other benefit
  • Widow DOES NOT have to take own benefit – can delay own OR draw deceased spouse – this gives various options and strategies
  • Cannot marry again before age 60 to have the prior example
  • So complicated, Mr. Clark suggests we go to Social Security options to make an informed decision
  • Bring Marriage Certificate – any proof of your benefit beneficiary
  •  Strategy available for Widows due to the options available- i.e. Draw your own, delay widow or visa versa – its complicated but there likely is a right and wrong answer
  • “If you were married to a high wage earner, might consider waiting until age 60 before getting remarried!” Says Clark – near end of the audio

Dealing with Deceased spousal benefits allows the most options of almost any Social Security Benefits, these options lead to complications, but also maximization strategies …

Be sure to listen to the audio below from the event, it is very informative

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Click Here for Direct Link to All Parts Audio Posted on our Special Social Security Page

Have a Great “Deceased Spousal Benefits Explained” Day!

John A. Kvale CFA, CFP

Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.
A Dallas Texas based fee only
Financial Planning Total Wealth
Management firm.
jkfinancialinc
street-cents

Leave a comment

Posted in Audio, General Financial Planning, Investing/Financial Planning, Retirement Planning, Social Security, Tom Clark

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Part 8 : Tom Clark, Social Security Expert, with Audio – Living, Married Spousal Benefits Explained

Posted on August 14, 2019 by | Leave a comment

As we near the end of the Social Security Retirement Benefits portion (Medicare up next), the final/next Three Parts will be directly related to spousal benefits. Spousal benefits are EXACTLY the same no matter gender, so insert your preference for the easiest understanding.

The Next Three Parts (8-10) will deal with the status of the spouse and how it effects retirement benefits for the other spouse:

  1. Living
  2. Deceased
  3. Divorced

As just a heads up, each section will become more detailed and complicated – so let’s get started on the various spouse benefits depending on the other’s status!

In Part 8, from our  Social Security Event earlier this year, Expert, Mr. Tom Clark, continued with the specifics of Social Security, Retirement Benefits for living spouses …. that Social Security Provides. Part 1 Here , Part 2 Here , Part 3 Here, Part 4 Here,  Part 5 Here, Part 6 here, Part 7 here, and Direct Audio Here on our site for your viewing/listening pleasures:

Retirement Benefits for Living Spouses

The following bullets and audio will expel many false items you may have heard …

  • Spouse (wife in Clark’s examples) CAN receive benefits based on her spouses benefits, ONLY if she will not receive more benefits by drawing her own benefits
  • If she were to receive a benefit check greater than one half of her spouses benefit, she MUST draw the higher amount due from her benefit
  • One time based exception to the above statements – this exception is quickly fading due to timing of the laws passed –
  • Spouse must be age 62
  • Other spouse MUST be drawing own benefits in order to have spousal benefit
  • All spousal benefits are based on one half the other spouse full retirement age benefit
  • Benefit is reduced for spouse based on early age i.e. Spouse is 62 benefit will be reduced – Read next -Important
  • If spouse is older than wage earning spouse, the benefit will NOT be discounted and will be half of the wage earnings spouses full benefit – in effect greater than one half the early retiring spouses benefit – Great Example at 2 minute mark of audio

Wow, there is so much clarity in the following 2+ minutes of audio, we hope you enjoy – feel free to listen more than once – it took at least a dozen times to get this edited …

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Click Here for Direct Link to All Parts Audio Posted on our Special Social Security Page

Have a Great “” Day!

John A. Kvale CFA, CFP

Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.
A Dallas Texas based fee only
Financial Planning Total Wealth
Management firm.
jkfinancialinc
street-cents

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Posted in Audio, General Financial Planning, Investing/Financial Planning, Retirement Planning, Social Security, Tom Clark

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Part 7 : Tom Clark, Social Security Expert, with Audio – Clarity on Final Years Earnings and any Effects on Retirement Benefits

Posted on August 7, 2019 by | Leave a comment

In Part 7, from our  Social Security Event earlier this year, Expert, Mr. Tom Clark, continued with the meat of Social Security, Retirement Benefits …. that Social Security Provides. Part 1 Here , Part 2 Here , Part 3 Here, Part 4 Here,  Part 5 Here, Part 6 here, and Direct Audio Here on our site for your viewing/listening pleasures:

Effects of Lower Social Security Earnings Near Full Retirement Age

Very frequently our Financial Planning discussions include early retirement or halting of the big weekly grind/travels to do something always desired but may result in a reduction in income… all very near Full Retirement Age/Last Years of Social Security Credits.

Will a few missed or greatly lowered earnings years near Social Security Full Retirement Age knock your benefit down? Likely Not

  • Since Social Benefit first part of earnings may count more than last
  • A few missed years likely will not hurt your retirement benefit
  • Recall from earlier discussion that Retirement Benefits are based on your highest Wage (not Inflation) adjusted 35 years
  • Per question/statement from audience in audio – very possible first 10 years count much more than final 3- 5 years
  • Likely not working last few years or taking a greatly reduced but desired occupation could result in NO DIFFERENCE in Social Security Retirement Benefit

There are always exceptions to the norm, but with repeat occurrences of desired life style change near Full Retirement Age, we feel more comfortable knowing it just likely will not make a big difference… one can infer this will hold true for early retirement as well…. Thanks Tom!

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Click Here for Direct Link to All Parts Audio Posted on our Special Social Security Page

Have a Great “Late Career Dream Job or Early Retirement No Benefit Change” Day!

John A. Kvale CFA, CFP

Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.
A Dallas Texas based fee only
Financial Planning Total Wealth
Management firm.
jkfinancialinc
street-cents

Leave a comment

Posted in Audio, General Financial Planning, Investing/Financial Planning, Social Security, Tom Clark

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