Social Security Risk Score

OVERVIEW

The Social Security Risk Score is a diagnostic tool for advisors developed by PRIA Technologies, LLC. This document details the assumptions and methodologies underlying the Risk Score in its current form.

The Social Security Risk Score is not connected with, affiliated with, or specifically endorsed by the United States government or the Social Security Administration.

The Risk Score was created to serve as the first tool that provides a personalized assessment of the specific risk an individual may face if their Social Security income is reduced. The Score calculates the risk by considering both the likelihood of a Social Security reduction affecting the user, and the impact that potential reductions may have on the user.

The Risk Score is only one piece of information a user or advisor should consider when assessing the risk of potential Social Security reductions on an individual’s retirement plan. The Risk Score is not intended to provide financial or investment advice and is intended for informational and educational use only. Before making decisions with investment, legal, tax, or accounting ramifications, users should consult appropriate professionals for advice that is specific to their situation.

SOCIAL SECURITY RISK SCORE

Users can analyze their results to gauge potential risks they face related to the potential reduction of Social Security benefits in the future.

Demographics, Finances, Wellness, and Retirement Plans all factor into their individualized Risk Score calculation.

The Risk Score is provided on a 0-100 scale with higher scores representing higher risk levels. Because the Social Security Administration annually discloses that if Congress does not change current law the program will have to reduce benefits by approximately 25% in the future, no user has zero risk. On the other hand, the future is unknown and cannot be predicted with absolute certainty, so no user can score a 100.

The Risk Score is calculated by incorporating two sub-scores: a Likelihood sub-score and an Impact sub-score. These sub-scores are then blended, weighted, and scaled to provide an overall Risk Score.

Example: Age and longevity play a pivotal role in both sub-scores. Based on historical precedence and analysis of legislative proposals, there is an inverse relationship between a user’s age and the likelihood they will experience a reduction in benefits. In effect, the younger the user indicates their age to be, the greater the significance of that data point to the score calculations. One key consideration used when evaluating the likelihood of a government mandated reduction is the length of time available for the user to prepare an alternative retirement income strategy. When evaluating the impact of potential reductions, there is a direct relationship between a user’s age and the impact they will experience from a reduction in benefits. In effect, the older the user indicates their age to be, the greater the significance of that data point to the score calculations. One key consideration used when evaluating the impact of a government mandated reduction is what reasonable options are available for that user to replace the retirement income that could be disrupted.

Internal and external resources were utilized for both the underlying research and development of the Risk Score model. While we acknowledge there could be differences of opinion among experts in the field, we believe that the Social Security Risk Score is the most comprehensive personalized assessment of both the likelihood and impact of a Social Security reduction in existence.

Resources utilized to determine the Likelihood sub-score include:

• Analysis of previous Social Security legislation including the Social Security Amendments of 1983 (enacted 4/20/83).
• Evaluation of recently introduced and proposed Social Security legislation.
• Synthesis of proposals to fix the long-term funding challenges of Social Security from various third-party and government-affiliated entities.

Resources to determine the Impact sub-score include:

• Internal calculations of estimated Social Security benefits.
• Analysis of expert third-party research to estimate long-term care expenses, future values of retirement savings, safe withdrawal rates, and expected investment returns.
• Longevity tables utilized by the Internal Revenue Service.

Risk Score Model Inputs:

Specific user inputs are sent to the Risk Score Model. This data includes the following information:

Demographics:

• Year of birth
• Retirement age
• Social Security start age
• Marital status
• Gender
• Zip code

Finances:

• Income
• Retirement savings
• Emergency fund
• Investment style
• Spending habits in retirement

Wellness:

• Overall Health
  Likelihood of living to 100
• Concern about long-term care event

Retirement Plan:

• Retirement plan origin
• Importance of providing an inheritance

Disclosures

The information, products, or services described or referenced herein are intended to be for informational and educational use only. The user should not construe any of the material contained herein as investment, hedging, trading, legal, regulatory, tax or accounting advice. The user should not act on any information in this document without consulting qualified investment, hedging, trading, legal, regulatory, tax, and/or accounting advisor.

Methodologies and algorithms may change at any time and we cannot certify the information, nor guarantee the accuracy and completeness of such information. Use of such information is voluntary and should not be relied upon unless an independent review of its accuracy and completeness has been performed.

PRIA Technologies, LLC does not make any representations that methodology described herein is suitable or appropriate for any particular strategy. Any discussion of risks contained herein should not be considered to be a disclosure of all risks or a complete discussion of the risks involved. PRIA Technologies, LLC does not warrant the analyses and other information provided.

The underlying mathematical analysis utilized for individual scenarios has been developed by PRIA Technologies, LLC and may have limitations. Alternative analyses may produce different results. The input parameters are not exhaustive and therefore may not reflect or consider all potentially significant factors.

In some cases, information contained herein may have been provided from sources unrelated to PRIA Technologies, LLC, respective parents, subsidiaries, or affiliates. While we believe all information to be reliable, we are unable to warrant its completeness or accuracy. No responsibility can be accepted for errors of facts obtained from third parties.

LAST UPDATE: January 30, 2022

Data Centers:
RiskScore.us utilizes physical infrastructure hosted and managed within Amazon’s secure data centers located within the continental United States and utilizes Amazon Web Services (AWS) technology.

AWS supports an array of security standards and compliance certifications including PCI-DSS, HIPAA/HITECH, FedRAMP, GDPR, FIPS 140-2, and NIST 800-171. AWS uses redundant and layered controls, continuous validation and testing, and a substantial amount of automation to ensure that the underlying infrastructure is monitored and protected 24×7. AWS ensures that these controls are replicated in every new data center or service.

AWS computing environments are continuously audited, with certifications from accreditation bodies across geographies and verticals, including SOC 1/SSAE 16/ISAE 3402 (formerly SAS 70), SOC 2, SOC 3, ISO 9001 / ISO 27001, FedRAMP, and DoD SRG.

For additional information see: AWS Security

PCI Security: RiskScore.com has no access to your credit card information. Any and all credit card processing is handled by a third-party provider that adheres to PCI Data Security Standard (PCI DSS Level 1.).

Modifications to our Privacy Policy and Security Statement: We change our privacy practices from time to time as the need arises. When we do, we will revise this Privacy Policy and/or Security Statement and post the revised policy or statement on our website.