Retired Parent

<p>One of my parents is retired so they receive Social Security benefits. Where on my CSS/FAFSA do I indicate that? I know there are questions about future retirement plans but what if they're already retired and already receiving benefits? Also where does the money fall under in terms of income? It's not in adjusted gross income because it's not taxable.. so would it be in untaxed income?</p>

<p>Untaxed social security benefits are not reported on FAFSA at all. The instructions specifically say not to report them as untaxed income. Any part that is taxable (SS benefits are taxable income when other income goes over a certain amount) would be included in the AGI already.</p>

<p>so ss benefits don’t show up anywhere on your form then? what about css profile? thanks</p>

<p>Yes, they show up in CSS profile. Social security benes are taxable income!</p>

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<p>I think you’re referring to just retirement benes, but to clarify, some SS benefits are not taxable (eg. survivor benes for children).</p>

<p>Others are:</p>

<p>[Benefits</a> Planner: Taxes and your Social Security benefits](<a href=“http://www.ssa.gov/planners/taxes.htm]Benefits”>http://www.ssa.gov/planners/taxes.htm)</p>

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Social security retirement benefits are only taxable if other income goes over certain thresholds, and then are only partially taxable. The formula for determining whether it is taxable is quite complex. For a lot of people it will not be taxable at all. We have had several years where our other income was below the threshold and my husband’s social security has not been taxable. This year we are expecting a portion of it to be taxed. (no more then 85% will be taxable even when other income is over the thresholds).</p>

<p>Only the taxed portions of SS will be reported on FAFSA (those in the AGI). Untaxed portions are not reported on FAFSA. Don’t know about profile.</p>