SOCIAL SECURITY · MEDICARE · RETIREMENT

Retirement has more moving parts than a date on the calendar.

Before you leave work, it helps to line up the questions: when to claim Social Security, how health coverage changes, what a spouse needs, and whether old retirement accounts still fit the plan.

Franco Stella · Independent insurance agent · Licensed 19 years · English & Spanish

Book a retirement & Medicare call Or call (951) 404-0642

START WITH THE DECISIONS

What should you review before retiring?

A retirement plan should coordinate income, health coverage and the people who rely on you. Franco can help organize the insurance and Medicare questions. Social Security filing, tax, legal and investment decisions should be confirmed with SSA and the qualified professionals who advise you.

Four questions to settle before you leave work

These are the questions that often prevent a coverage gap or an expensive rushed decision.

1. When should I claim Social Security?

SSA lets eligible workers compare their estimated amount at different claiming ages. The filing decision is personal; use your SSA account and its official tools rather than a generic rule of thumb.

Plan with SSA

2. How will Medicare and work coverage overlap?

Employer and retiree coverage do not all coordinate with Medicare the same way. Check the exact plan, drug coverage, spouse coverage and enrollment timing before you make a change.

Review Medicare's guidance

3. Could a spouse's record matter?

If your own work record is limited, a current or former spouse's record may matter for spousal, divorced-spouse or survivor benefits. SSA determines the rules and the amount for your situation.

Explore SSA options

4. Do my old accounts still fit?

Old 401(k), 403(b), 457 and TSP accounts deserve a review before any transfer. Understand the current plan, alternatives, access to money, taxes and benefits you could lose.

Review the account checklist

SOCIAL SECURITY: KNOW THE BASICS

Claiming later can raise a monthly benefit—through age 70.

SSA says eligible retirement benefits can generally start at age 62. Waiting can increase the monthly amount through age 70, but there is no one claiming age that is right for everyone. After 70, delaying alone does not continue to raise the retirement benefit.

If you do not have enough work credits on your own record, do not assume that means there is no benefit available. A spouse's or former spouse's record may matter, but the eligibility rules are specific. Use SSA to verify your own record, estimate and filing options.

Check your Social Security retirement plan

OLD RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS

Do not move money until you know what you are giving up—and what you are gaining.

An old group retirement account may still have useful features. A review creates a clear inventory before someone decides whether to leave it alone, consolidate it, roll it over or explore another income strategy.

Account type, balance, beneficiaries and current investment choices
Plan fees, withdrawal rules, creditor protections and employer-stock considerations
Taxes, required distributions and penalties that can apply to a transfer or withdrawal
Liquidity needs: money needed for emergencies, near-term spending or a legacy
Whether a contractually guaranteed-income option is worth comparing—not assumed to be right

SAFE INCOME DESERVES A CAREFUL COMPARISON

Reliable income can be a goal. It is not a one-size-fits-all product.

Some insurance contracts can offer contractual guarantees or income features. Others involve market risk, surrender periods, fees, withdrawal limits or changing crediting terms. The right question is not “Should I move everything?” It is “What income, access and legacy goals does this portion of my plan need to serve?”

Talk through retirement questions

For general educational purposes only. Franco Stella Insurance Services, Inc. is not affiliated with the Social Security Administration. Social Security eligibility and filing decisions are made by SSA. Retirement-account, tax, legal and investment decisions should be reviewed with the appropriate qualified professional. Insurance and annuity guarantees are subject to the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurer and the terms of the contract; products can have charges, surrender periods and other limitations.

Social Security & Retirement Questions

General answers to help you organize the right questions before you make a decision.

When can I start Social Security retirement benefits?

SSA says retirement benefits can generally begin at age 62 for eligible workers. The monthly amount can be higher when someone waits to claim, up to age 70. The best filing time depends on personal circumstances, so use your Social Security account and SSA's tools for your estimate and filing decision.

Do I have to claim Social Security at age 70?

There is not a blanket rule that everyone must file at age 70. However, SSA says the monthly retirement benefit does not increase further simply because a person waits past age 70. Confirm your own situation directly with SSA before deciding when to file.

What if I have not worked enough Social Security credits?

A current or former spouse's work record can sometimes affect eligibility for spousal, divorced-spouse or survivor benefits. The rules depend on marriage history, age, work record and other facts, so SSA must determine whether a benefit is available and its amount.

Do I need Medicare when I retire?

It depends on your age, the employer or retiree coverage available to you and your spouse, and how that coverage coordinates with Medicare. Confirm the details with the benefits administrator before dropping or changing coverage.

Should I move an old 401(k) or other retirement account?

Not automatically. Leaving the money in the current plan, rolling it to an IRA, consolidating accounts or choosing another option can each have tradeoffs. Review fees, investment choices, withdrawal rules, taxes, protections, liquidity needs and any benefits you could lose before making a move.