[RSSA] Registered Social Security Analyst Exam

I. Foundations of Social Security

History and Operations of the Social Security Administration (SSA)

Legislative origins and the evolution of the Social Security Act.

Funding mechanisms: FICA and SECA tax structures.

The Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) trust funds.

Qualifying for Benefits

Definition of "Fully Insured" vs. "Currently Insured" status.

The 40-quarter (10-year) work requirement and credit accumulation.

Impact of non-covered employment and the 35-year earnings history.

Benefit Calculation Mechanics

Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME) calculation.

The Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) formula and "bend points."

Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA) and their application.

Timing and Age Factors

Determining Full Retirement Age (FRA) based on birth year.

The impact of early claiming (reductions) vs. delayed claiming (8% annual credits).

The "Earnings Test" and its effect on benefits before reaching FRA.

II. Mastery of Advanced Topics

Spousal and Survivor Benefits

Eligibility requirements for current and divorced spouses (10-year rule).

Calculation of spousal top-offs and survivor "Original Benefit" amounts.

Remarriage rules and their impact on benefit eligibility.

Complex Benefit Categories

Childhood benefits and benefits for disabled adult children (DAC).

Parental benefits and the "Family Maximum" limit.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) vs. Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Regulatory Adjustments & Legislation

Analysis of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP).

Understanding the Government Pension Offset (GPO).

Current 2026 legislative updates and their impact on benefit projections.

Medicare Essentials

Enrollment windows (Initial, General, and Special Enrollment Periods).

Understanding Parts A, B, C, and D.

IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) surcharges.

III. Bridging Benefits Across Related Programs

The Big Picture of Retirement Income Planning

Integrating Social Security into a holistic financial plan.

Longevity risk and "break-even" analysis for claiming ages.

The role of Social Security as an inflation-protected annuity.

Taxation of Social Security Benefits

Provisional income thresholds (50% and 85% taxability rules).

Strategies for managing "tax torpedoes" in retirement.

The interaction between Social Security and Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs).

Coordination Strategies

Optimal claiming sequences for married couples.

Evaluating the "Restricted Application" (for eligible birth years) and "File and Suspend" legacy rules.

Gap-funding strategies using private savings to delay Social Security.

IV. Expert Practice & Client Communication

Working with Specialized Client Segments

Self-employed business owners and Schedule C considerations.

High-net-worth clients and the impact of the Social Security "Wage Base."

Public sector employees with non-covered pensions.

Data Collection and Discovery

Interpreting the Social Security Statement (Form SSA-7005).

Client interview techniques and information-gathering templates.

Identifying "Red Flags" in client work histories.

Ethical and Regulatory Standards

Compliance requirements for Social Security analysts.

The distinction between "advice" and "filing assistance."

Professional conduct and fiduciary responsibility in Social Security planning.

V. Social Security Software Case Studies

RSSA Roadmap® Software Proficiency

Inputting complex data: Earnings history, pensions, and family details.

Generating and interpreting the Social Security Optimization Report.

Running "What-If" scenarios to compare different claiming ages.

Applied Case Analysis

Single Individuals: Optimizing for longevity and tax efficiency.

Married Couples: Coordinating survivor protections and maximizing household lifetime income.

Divorced/Widowed Clients: Navigating dual-entitlement and timing rules.

The "Hybrid" Case: Analyzing clients with a mix of W-2, 1099, and non-covered pension income.