Social Security Earnings Test

Starting Social Security at 63 and working causes the government to withhold a dollar for every two dollars earned above the annual cap while under full retirement age.

“for every couple of dollars you earn above the annual cap while under full retirement age, the government withholds one dollar of benefits”

Three ETFs Replace Withheld Check

WisdomTree Floating Rate Treasury Fund, First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF, and JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF help plug the gap with income matching the Social Security benefit schedule.

USFR: Cash-Like Yield

USFR holds U.S. Treasury floating-rate notes that reset with short-term Treasury rates, providing monthly income without long bond volatility.

“USFR holds U.S. Treasury floating-rate notes”

RDVY: Dividend Growth

RDVY screens for U.S. large- and mid-cap stocks with growing dividends, healthy payout ratios, and positive earnings growth to outpace inflation.

“RDVY screens for U.S. large- and mid-cap stocks with growing dividends, healthy payout ratios, positive earnings growth, and strong balance sheets”

JEPI: Monthly Income

JEPI generates monthly distributions through S&P 500 call options to mimic Social Security's monthly payment schedule.

“JEPI is the closest thing to a paycheck replacement available in a single ETF”

Trade-Offs

USFR income falls with short-term rates, RDVY’s quarterly distribution varies, and JEPI lags in bull markets but provides monthly income.

“USFR income falls with short-term rates”

Blended Solution

Combined, these ETFs provide cash-like safety, rising income, and a monthly deposit matching Social Security's schedule to offset earnings test withholdings.

“blended together, they provide cash-like safety, rising income, and a monthly deposit that arrives on schedule”