How to Calculate Your Social Security Change When Moving
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You will probably require 70% of your pre-retirement income to maintain your standard-of-living after retirement.Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
Calculate your expected benefit amount using the Social Security online calculators if you have not yet retired. Financial advisers estimate that you will need at least 70% of your pre-retirement income to live comfortably after retirement. If your Social Security benefits plus any additional retirement income are insufficient to meet your expenses, you may need to postpone retirement to receive a larger monthly check later on. - 2
Direct deposit can save you the hassle of lost, late or stolen checks.Comstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images
Enroll in direct deposit. Your social security benefit amount will not change when you move. However, you can ensure that a check will not be late or lost by voluntarily enrolling now in Social Security's direct deposit program. According to the agency website, "anyone applying for benefits on or after May 1, 2011, will receive their payments electronically, while those currently receiving paper checks must switch to direct deposit by March 1, 2013." - 3
Your Social Security check may not meet all your needs in an expensive city.Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Getty Images
Compare cost-of-living amounts for your current home and your new residence. Best Places.net has an online calculator that compares cost-of-living amounts for housing, transportation, utilities, food and other major expenses. Although your benefit amount won't change when you move, your check may go further in a lower cost area than an expensive one. - 4
Use the "Payments Abroad Screening Tool" if you plan to be outside of the U.S. for longer than 6 months.Zedcor Wholly Owned/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
Use the Social Security website online "Payments Abroad Screening Tool" if you anticipate moving outside of the United States. You will be prompted to answer six short "yes" or "no" questions involving your citizenship and earnings history and click on the country you intend on moving to. The online tool will then indicate whether or not your Social Security Retirement, Disability or Survivor benefits will continue while you are abroad.
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