{"id":3009,"date":"2025-08-27T00:18:56","date_gmt":"2025-08-27T00:18:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/myreadinglog.net\/blog\/moneymentorhub\/?p=3009"},"modified":"2026-03-09T03:34:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T03:34:12","slug":"how-to-calculate-social-security-and-reduce-taxes-in-retirement-california-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myreadinglog.net\/blog\/moneymentorhub\/how-to-calculate-social-security-and-reduce-taxes-in-retirement-california-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"\ud83c\udfe6 How to Calculate Social Security and Reduce Taxes in Retirement (California Guide)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"mmh-soft-cta\">\n  <figure>\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/myreadinglog.net\/blog\/moneymentorhub\/files\/2026\/01\/MoneyMentorLogoSVG.png\" alt=\"MoneyMentorHub Shield Logo\">\n  <\/figure>\n\n  <div class=\"mmh-cta-content\">\n    <p class=\"mmh-cta-text\">\n      <b>About the Author:<\/b> Sonal Macwan \u2014 Certified Financial Professional, focused on retirement planning, life insurance basics, and long-term financial readiness for mid-career adults. Content is educational, not legal or financial advice.\n      <br><br>\n      Education builds clarity. Personalized planning provides direction.\n    <br>  \n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re a professional in California and starting to think seriously about retirement, Social Security has probably been on your mind. You might be wondering: <em>How much will I receive? Will it be enough? And how can I make sure I\u2019m not giving too much back in taxes?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"mm-anchor-box mm-anchor-start\">\n  <p>\n    Before diving in, it helps to understand the full retirement picture.\n    Our <a href=\"https:\/\/myreadinglog.net\/blog\/moneymentorhub\/retirement-income-planning\/\" class=\"mm-anchor-link\">\n    Retirement Planning Pillar<\/a> breaks down Social Security, income strategies,\n    timelines, and smart decisions so you can retire with confidence.\n  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s some good news: while the <strong>federal government taxes Social Security benefits<\/strong>, <strong>California does not.<\/strong> That means retirees in the Golden State keep more of what they earn from Social Security compared to residents in many other states. <a href=\"https:\/\/taxes.ca.gov\/income-tax\/special-circumstances\/#:~:text=California%20does%20not%20tax%20social,partially%20taxable%20under%20federal%20law.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Social Security in CA\">Read this reference article from CA tax goverment site.<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this guide, We will walk you through how Social Security is calculated, which tools can help, and the tax-smart strategies every middle-aged professional in California should know. Think of it as sitting down with your financial planner over coffee\u2014only you don\u2019t have to pick up the check.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-0924267606348911\"\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\n<!-- HorizontalDisplayAd -->\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n     style=\"display:block\"\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-0924267606348911\"\n     data-ad-slot=\"9780411776\"\n     data-ad-format=\"auto\"\n     data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step 1 \u2013 Understanding How Social Security is Calculated<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Social Security benefits aren\u2019t random\u2014they\u2019re based on your work history and earnings. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a three-step process:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/myreadinglog.net\/blog\/moneymentorhub\/how-to-check-social-security-income-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"How to Check Your Social Security Income (Simple Step-by-Step Guide)\">Do you have a social security account? Check how to get one using this step by step guide.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME)<\/strong> \u2013 Your earnings over your 35 highest-paid years are indexed for inflation and averaged.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Primary Insurance Amount (PIA)<\/strong> \u2013 This is the base benefit, calculated with \u201cbend points\u201d (progressive formulas that replace a higher percentage of lower earnings).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Adjusted Benefit<\/strong> \u2013 Finally, your benefit is adjusted depending on when you start collecting\u2014earlier than full retirement age (FRA) reduces it, delaying up to age 70 increases it.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udc49 <strong>Quick tip:<\/strong> If you\u2019re still in your peak earning years, each extra year of higher income can replace a lower year in your 35-year average\u2014boosting your future benefit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/myreadinglog.net\/blog\/moneymentorhub\/social-security-claiming-strategies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Social Security Claiming Strategies\">How to maximize your social security benefits<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Tools to Help You Calculate Your Benefits<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of crunching the math by hand, you can use:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/OACT\/quickcalc\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">SSA Quick <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/OACT\/quickcalc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Calculator<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/social-security\/benefits-calculator\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">AARP Social Security Calculator<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdwallet.com\/calculator\/social-security-calculator\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">NerdWallet Estimator<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is important to know your number,<a href=\"https:\/\/myreadinglog.net\/blog\/moneymentorhub\/family-retirement-planning\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\ud83e\uddeeReal Budget Breakdown: A Mid\u2011Career Family Planning for Retirement\"> stay top on your family financing budget<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/myreadinglog.net\/blog\/moneymentorhub\/financial-solution\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Unlocking the Power of a Financial Solution to Secure Your Future\">plan your retirement income.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Smart retirement planning combines Social Security decisions with the<a href=\"https:\/\/myreadinglog.net\/blog\/moneymentorhub\/%f0%9f%92%b0-the-rule-of-72-the-easiest-way-to-predict-how-fast-your-money-will-double\/\" title=\"\ud83d\udcb0 The Rule of 72: The Easiest Way to Predict How Fast Your Money Will Double\"> Rule of 72<\/a> to understand how your money works for you.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step 2 \u2013 How Social Security is Taxed in Retirement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s where it gets tricky: Social Security may be <strong>taxed federally<\/strong> based on your combined income.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If you\u2019re <strong>single<\/strong> and your combined income is:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>$25,000\u2013$34,000 \u2192 up to <strong>50%<\/strong> of benefits are taxable.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Over $34,000 \u2192 up to <strong>85%<\/strong> of benefits are taxable.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you\u2019re <strong>married filing jointly<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>$32,000\u2013$44,000 \u2192 up to <strong>50%<\/strong> of benefits are taxable.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Over $44,000 \u2192 up to <strong>85%<\/strong> of benefits are taxable.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The California advantage:<\/strong> Social Security benefits are <strong>not taxed at the state level.<\/strong> That\u2019s a win for retirees here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-theme-palette-3-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-c38b074d9600e3560e81ba9700e63dc0\" style=\"background-color:#f2f8f2\">But don\u2019t celebrate too soon\u2014other retirement income sources like <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/myreadinglog.net\/blog\/moneymentorhub\/401k-basics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\ud83d\udcbc 401(k) Basics for Pre-Retirees: What You Need to Know Before You Retire\">401(k) withdrawals, <\/a>traditional IRAs, and pensions<\/strong> are fully taxable under California\u2019s progressive income tax system, which can be as high as 13.3%. To plan ahead, know what is the <a href=\"https:\/\/myreadinglog.net\/blog\/moneymentorhub\/401k-rothira-pension-midcareer-adults\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\ud83d\udcb5401(k), Roth IRA, or Pension: What\u2019s Right for Mid\u2011Career Professionals?\">difference between 401(k), pension and Roth IRA.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-0924267606348911\"\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\n<!-- HorizontalDisplayAd -->\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n     style=\"display:block\"\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-0924267606348911\"\n     data-ad-slot=\"9780411776\"\n     data-ad-format=\"auto\"\n     data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step 3 \u2013 Strategies to Reduce Taxes on Social Security<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Now let\u2019s talk strategy. Just because Social Security can be taxed doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re stuck paying the maximum. Here are ways to keep more in your pocket:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-theme-palette-3-color has-theme-palette-8-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-700e354c0627a724330d13eddcb3c35a\"><a href=\"https:\/\/myreadinglog.net\/blog\/moneymentorhub\/contributing-401k-benefits\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Benefits of contributing to a 401(k) plan\"><strong>What are the benefits of contributing to a 401(k) plan?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Delay Claiming Until Age 70<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Each year you delay past full retirement age increases your benefit by about 8%. Plus, if you keep working, you may lower the number of years Social Security looks at with lower or no earnings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Use Roth Accounts Wisely<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Withdrawals from Roth IRAs or Roth 401(k)s don\u2019t count toward your combined income, which means you can stay under federal thresholds and reduce the taxable portion of your benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Manage Your Income Brackets<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Plan your withdrawals so that your total income doesn\u2019t push you into the 85% taxation range. This might mean drawing more from savings in some years and less in others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re 70\u00bd or older, making charitable donations directly from an IRA reduces your taxable income\u2014and can keep more of your Social Security tax-free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5. Use Withholding to Avoid Surprises<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You can ask Social Security to withhold federal taxes from your checks using <strong>Form W-4V<\/strong>. This won\u2019t lower your taxes, but it will help avoid an April tax bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Get in-depth insights to save on your retirement savings and plan ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-0924267606348911\"\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\n<!-- HorizontalDisplayAd -->\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n     style=\"display:block\"\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-0924267606348911\"\n     data-ad-slot=\"9780411776\"\n     data-ad-format=\"auto\"\n     data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step 4 \u2013 Bringing It All Together in a California Retirement Plan<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Social Security is just one piece of the retirement puzzle. For middle-aged professionals in California, the key is balancing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>When you claim Social Security<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>How you withdraw from retirement accounts<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>How you manage taxable vs. tax-free income<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This coordination can make a huge difference in how much you keep each year. A financial planner who understands California\u2019s unique tax landscape can help tailor a strategy for your specific goals.<a href=\"https:\/\/myreadinglog.net\/blog\/moneymentor-hub\/#contact-us\" title=\"Contact Us\"> Work with a Financial Planner <\/a>to navigate all these details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-0924267606348911\"\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\n<!-- HorizontalDisplayAd -->\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n     style=\"display:block\"\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-0924267606348911\"\n     data-ad-slot=\"9780411776\"\n     data-ad-format=\"auto\"\n     data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are wondering, <a href=\"https:\/\/myreadinglog.net\/blog\/moneymentorhub\/how-to-maximize-your-social-security-benefits-and-avoid-taxes-in-retirement\/\" title=\"\ud83c\udfe6 How to Maximize Your Social Security Benefits and Avoid Taxes in Retirement\">how to maximize your social security benefits<\/a> and leverage available advantages, learn more and talk with a certified financial advisor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"mmh-resource-link\">\n  <div class=\"mmh-resource-content\">\n    <h4>Explore Financial Planning Resources<\/h4>\n    <p>\n      Financial clarity improves when you have the right tools and explanations in one place.\n      Explore our curated resources to better understand life insurance, retirement planning,\n      and wealth-building strategies\u2014designed to support informed, confident financial decisions.\n    <\/p>\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/myreadinglog.net\/blog\/moneymentorhub\/resources\/\" class=\"mmh-resource-btn\">\n      Visit the Resources Page \u2192\n    <\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div data-schema-only=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-aioseo-faq\" id=\"social-security-benefits-faq\"><h3 class=\"aioseo-faq-block-question\">FAQs: Social Security &amp; Retirement Planning in California<\/h3><div class=\"aioseo-faq-block-answer\">\n<p><strong>Q1: Does California tax Social Security benefits?<\/strong><br>No. Only the federal government may tax your Social Security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q2: What age should I claim Social Security for maximum benefit?<\/strong><br>It depends on your income needs and life expectancy, but many maximize by waiting until 70.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q3: How do I avoid paying tax on 85% of my benefits?<\/strong><br>Manage your combined income using Roth withdrawals, QCDs, and careful withdrawal timing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q4: Is Social Security enough to live on in California?<\/strong><br>Usually not. High living costs mean you\u2019ll likely need retirement savings, pensions, or other investments in addition to Social Security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q5: Can I work while collecting Social Security and still maximize my benefits?<\/strong><br>Yes, but if you claim before your full retirement age, some of your benefits may be temporarily reduced if your earnings exceed the annual limit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q6: How can married couples maximize Social Security benefits?<\/strong><br>Couples can coordinate claiming strategies \u2014 like one spouse claiming early and the other waiting until 70 \u2014 to increase lifetime income.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q7: Is delaying Social Security past 62 really worth it?<\/strong><br>For many, yes. Each year you delay beyond your full retirement age boosts your benefit by about 8% until age 70.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q8: How can I calculate when my Social Security benefits will double?<\/strong><br>You can use the <a href=\"https:\/\/myreadinglog.net\/blog\/moneymentorhub\/%f0%9f%92%b0-the-rule-of-72-the-easiest-way-to-predict-how-fast-your-money-will-double\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\ud83d\udcb0 The Rule of 72: The Easiest Way to Predict How Fast Your Money Will Double\">Rule of 72<\/a>, a simple formula to estimate how fast your money grows, and apply it alongside your Social Security strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q9: How can I maximize my Social Security benefits in California?<\/strong><br>You can maximize your benefits in California by delaying claiming until age 70, coordinating with spousal benefits, and factoring in California\u2019s higher cost of living when planning.  <a href=\"https:\/\/myreadinglog.net\/blog\/moneymentorhub\/how-to-maximize-your-social-security-benefits-and-avoid-taxes-in-retirement\/\" title=\"\ud83c\udfe6 How to Maximize Your Social Security Benefits and Avoid Taxes in Retirement\">Learn what are different strategies to get more benefits.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q10: Where can I get help near me in California for maximizing Social Security benefits?<\/strong><br>You can contact local Social Security offices across California \u2014 from Los Angeles to Bay Area \u2014 or speak with a <a href=\"https:\/\/myreadinglog.net\/blog\/moneymentorhub\/about\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"About\">retirement planner<\/a> who understands California\u2019s living expenses.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"mm-anchor-box mm-anchor-end\">\n  <p>\n    If you want to see how this topic fits into your bigger retirement strategy\u2014\n    including Social Security timing, income planning, and risk management\u2014\n    explore our complete <a href=\"https:\/\/myreadinglog.net\/blog\/moneymentorhub\/retirement-income-planning\/\" class=\"mm-anchor-link\">\n    Retirement Planning Guide<\/a>.\n  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udcccKey Takeaway:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Planning for retirement in California doesn\u2019t have to feel overwhelming. By understanding how your Social Security benefit is calculated, knowing how federal taxes apply, and using smart income strategies, you can keep more of your hard-earned money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-0924267606348911\"\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\n<!-- HorizontalDisplayAd -->\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n     style=\"display:block\"\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-0924267606348911\"\n     data-ad-slot=\"9780411776\"\n     data-ad-format=\"auto\"\n     data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember, Social Security is just one piece of your retirement plan. The earlier you start coordinating benefits with tax planning, the smoother your retirement journey will be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udc49 Want a retirement strategy built around your unique California lifestyle?<a href=\"https:\/\/myreadinglog.net\/blog\/moneymentor-hub\/#contact-us\" title=\"Contact US\"> Talk with a financial planner<\/a> who can help you align Social Security, savings, and taxes for peace of mind.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-not-stacked-on-mobile has-border-color has-theme-palette-7-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-2a832b9dd57a9d0da84a030fb7ca05a2 is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"border-color:#f3b552;border-width:1px;color:#072712\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-theme-palette-8-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<p class=\"has-theme-palette-7-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-4d8c61b7a5844ba7751ca674ae37897a\" style=\"color:#032f13\">This content is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as financial, legal, tax, or investment advice.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:15%\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"64\" height=\"64\" data-attachment-id=\"3443\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/myreadinglog.net\/blog\/moneymentorhub\/moneymentorlogosvg\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/myreadinglog.net\/blog\/moneymentorhub\/files\/2026\/01\/MoneyMentorLogoSVG.png\" data-orig-size=\"64,64\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"MoneyMentorLogoSVG\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;MoneyMentorLogoSVG&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;MoneyMentorLogoSVG&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/myreadinglog.net\/blog\/moneymentorhub\/files\/2026\/01\/MoneyMentorLogoSVG.png\" src=\"http:\/\/myreadinglog.net\/blog\/moneymentorhub\/files\/2026\/01\/MoneyMentorLogoSVG.png\" alt=\"MoneyMentorLogoSVG\" class=\"wp-image-3443\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019re a professional in California and starting to think seriously about retirement, Social Security has probably been on your mind. You might be wondering: How much will I receive? Will it be enough? And how can I make sure I\u2019m not giving too much back in taxes? Here\u2019s some good news: while the federal&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"right","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"boxed","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[30,191],"tags":[33],"class_list":["post-3009","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-financial-literacy","category-social-security","tag-retirement-planning"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/myreadinglog.net\/blog\/moneymentorhub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3009","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/myreadinglog.net\/blog\/moneymentorhub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/myreadinglog.net\/blog\/moneymentorhub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myreadinglog.net\/blog\/moneymentorhub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myreadinglog.net\/blog\/moneymentorhub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3009"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/myreadinglog.net\/blog\/moneymentorhub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3009\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4098,"href":"https:\/\/myreadinglog.net\/blog\/moneymentorhub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3009\/revisions\/4098"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/myreadinglog.net\/blog\/moneymentorhub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3009"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myreadinglog.net\/blog\/moneymentorhub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3009"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myreadinglog.net\/blog\/moneymentorhub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3009"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}