Donate
Description
This course provides financial professionals with an in-depth understanding of two cornerstone social insurance programs—Social Security and Medicare—and their critical role in retirement planning. Participants will explore the structure, benefits, and planning strategies associated with these programs to better serve clients approaching or in retirement.
Through a combination of self-study and a live webinar review, advisors will gain practical insights into:
• Social Security (OASDI):
o History and purpose of the program
o Eligibility requirements and benefit calculations
o Claiming strategies for singles, couples, and divorced individuals
o Taxation of benefits and impact of earnings
o Survivor benefits and planning considerations
• Medicare:
o Overview of Parts A, B, C, and D
o Enrollment periods and penalties
o Coverage options: Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage
o Out-of-pocket costs and supplemental (Medigap) policies
o Income-related premium adjustments (IRMAA)
The course emphasizes planning strategies to maximize benefits, minimize costs, and integrate Social Security and Medicare decisions into a holistic retirement plan. Advisors will also review recent legislative changes, cost-of-living adjustments, and key deadlines that impact client decisions.
Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
• Explain the eligibility rules and benefit structures for Social Security and Medicare.
• Calculate Social Security retirement benefits and understand factors affecting benefit amounts.
• Compare Medicare coverage options and identify cost implications for clients.
• Develop strategies for optimizing claiming decisions and managing healthcare expenses in retirement.