Money on the Table: Just 10% of Non-Retired Americans Plan to Wait to Age 70 to Claim Social Security According to Schroders Study

Seven-in-Ten Wish They Were More Knowledgeable About Social Security

50% of retirees don’t have any strategies to generate income in retirement: “I just take money when I need it.”

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--According to the Schroders 2021 US Retirement Survey, just 10% of non-retired Americans ages 45 and older are planning to wait until age 70 – the age at which an individual reaches their maximum monthly benefit – to begin taking their Social Security benefits.

Almost one-third (30%) plan to begin taking Social Security between the ages of 62-65 (before reaching full benefit age), 14% plan to file between ages 66-69, and 46% are unsure when they will claim Social Security.

This trend includes non-retired respondents near or at retirement age: among those ages 60-67, just 13% said they planned to wait to age 70 to take Social Security benefits, and 28% were still unsure.

In addition, only 5% of retirees surveyed said they waited until they were 70 years old to take their Social Security benefits.

Deciding Not to Wait

Seven-in-ten non-retired respondents said they wish they were more knowledgeable about Social Security. And yet, the decision to pass up larger monthly payments appears to be a deliberate one, as 74% of non-retired respondents – and 84% non-retired between 60-67 - understand the longer they wait to take Social Security the more they will receive.

“Social Security is the primary source of income for the majority of Americans we surveyed, which is why we were surprised to see so many deciding not to wait until seventy for larger monthly payments; or worse, sacrificing their full benefits by tapping into them early,” said Joel Schiffman, Head of Intermediary Distribution, North America, Schroders. “It might come down to being able to afford to wait. And that’s a function of how much they have saved in order to generate sufficient income in retirement. Waiting a few extra years before claiming your benefits can provide a much-needed cushion for future expenses.”

He added: “It’s understandable that younger workers might be unsure about when they will take their Social Security benefits. But for people near or at retirement age to still be unsure, that suggests a lack of planning. By that age, investors should have a strategy in place to generate retirement income. Hopefully those who are still unsure will try to make it to seventy to enjoy the larger benefit, or at least get to the age of full benefits.”

For 52% of non-retired Americans and 58% of retirees, Social Security will be, or is, their primary source of income in retirement – but it won’t be enough to live on, according to 64% of those not retired and 62% of retirees. Respondents have additional sources of income, including:

• Cash savings (58%)
• Investment income (48%)
• Pension plan (40%)
• Annuities (19%)
• Rental income (12%)

Unfortunately, 74% expressed concerns that they don’t know how to best generate income and/or draw down their assets in retirement.

How are retirees generating income?

According to retirees surveyed, 50% don’t have any strategies to generate income in retirement; instead, they said: “I just take money when I need it.”

Other income-producing strategies mentioned include:

• 28% said they have systematic withdrawals from a defined contribution plan or IRA
• 19% have dividend-producing stocks or mutual funds
• 13% have annuities
• 11% have CDs
• 9% have individual bonds or bond mutual funds
• 9% have managed payout funds (equal and predictable monthly payments)

Four-in-ten retirees also said they wish they had taken a more aggressive approach to investing in retirement.

“Generating income in retirement is more challenging than ever thanks to the prevailing low interest rate environment,” said Mr. Schiffman. “Social Security is one piece of the puzzle, but it’s not a panacea. With many of us spending 30 or more years in retirement, generating sustainable income beyond what’s provided by Social Security is vital to creating a comfortable lifestyle.”

About the Survey

The Schroders U.S. Retirement survey was conducted by 8 Acre Perspective nationwide among 1,000 U.S. consumers ages 45 –75 from January 20— 27, 2021. Respondents were fairly evenly split by age and gender; age: 45-59 (367), 60-69 (348), and 70+ (285); male (501), female (499). The survey included 230 working respondents with employer-provided defined contribution retirement plans.

Note to Editors

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*as of December 31, 2020