Social Security Planning
Claiming decisions that fit your bigger retirement plan.
Social Security can be one of the most valuable lifetime income sources you’ll ever have. The challenge is making a decision that considers your health, work plans, spouse benefits, and taxes—without getting lost in the jargon.
Quick resources
Prefer a fast overview? Start with the e-book or watch the short explainer video.
What we help you evaluate
These are the areas that most often change the “right” claiming decision.
Age 62 vs. Full Retirement Age vs. 70
We compare tradeoffs—monthly benefit size, longevity expectations, and income needs in early retirement.
Spousal & survivor coordination
We look at how benefits can worSk together for couples, including survivor planning and cash-flow continuity.
Tax impact & other income sources
We consider how Social Security fits with IRA withdrawals, pensions, and required distributions over time.
How claiming age affects monthly benefits
The illustration below shows a common rule-of-thumb example assuming a Full Retirement Age (FRA) of 67. Actual benefits depend on birth year and individual circumstances.
Claim at 62
Earlier income, permanently reduced monthly benefit.
Full Retirement Age (67)
Baseline benefit based on your earnings record.
Delay to 70
Maximum delayed credits for higher lifetime income.
*Illustrative example only. We help clients evaluate how this decision fits with health, work plans, spousal benefits, and taxes.
Helpful resources
Prefer to learn on your own first? Start here.
Download: “4 Critical Social Security Facts Retirees Must Know”
A quick, client-friendly PDF you can read in a few minutes and revisit any time.
Watch: When to claim Social Security
A short explainer video that frames the core decision in a practical way.
Social Security FAQs
Below are plain-English answers to common questions. (You can replace any wording to match your preferred tone.)
- Social Security Administration, Understanding the Benefits (Publication No. 05-10024, 2026).
What to gather before a Social Security review
If you’d like a personalized recommendation, having a few items handy helps us make the conversation efficient and productive. Don’t worry—if you don’t have everything, we can still start.
Helpful items (bring what you can)
-
✓SSA benefit estimate Your latest estimate from your mySocialSecurity account (a screenshot is fine).
-
✓Birthdates (both spouses, if applicable) So we can evaluate Full Retirement Age timing and spousal/survivor considerations.
-
✓Work plans Are you still working? If so, expected retirement date and estimated earnings (rough is okay).
-
✓Other income sources Pension(s), rental income, part-time work, or other ongoing income streams.
-
✓Retirement accounts (high level) Approximate IRA/401(k) balances and whether withdrawals are already planned.
-
✓Recent tax return (optional) Helpful for understanding potential tax impact on Social Security benefits and withdrawals.
Real-life examples that make the rules “click”
Social Security decisions are rarely one-size-fits-all. Below are simplified scenarios we commonly see. These examples are for illustration and conversation—your actual results depend on your earnings record, age, and circumstances.
Example 1: Claim at 62 while still working
Situation
A client claims benefits at 62 but continues working full-time.
What may happen
If earnings are above SSA limits before Full Retirement Age, some benefits may be temporarily withheld. Once Full Retirement Age is reached, the earnings test no longer applies.
Planning takeaway
If you plan to keep working, we typically compare “claim now” vs. “delay” and coordinate timing with cash flow and taxes.
Example 2: Couple strategy—lower earner claims first
Situation
One spouse has a higher earnings record; the other has a smaller benefit.
What may happen
The lower earner may claim earlier for baseline income, while the higher earner considers delaying to increase the larger benefit. Survivor planning is often part of this conversation.
Planning takeaway
We evaluate benefits as a “household decision,” not two separate decisions—especially when the higher benefit may impact survivor income.
Example 3: Bridging income until 70
Situation
A retiree stops working at 66 and wants higher guaranteed income later.
What may happen
Instead of claiming immediately, they use savings/portfolio withdrawals for a few years (“bridge”) to delay Social Security.
Planning takeaway
A bridge strategy may increase lifetime monthly benefits, but it needs to be coordinated with investment risk and tax planning.
Example 4: Higher income and taxes
Situation
A household has Social Security plus IRA withdrawals and other income.
What may happen
Depending on overall income, a portion of Social Security benefits may be subject to federal income tax. This often surprises people in the first year.
Planning takeaway
We coordinate claiming decisions with withdrawal strategy and CPA guidance to reduce “surprise taxes” where possible.
Example 5: Survivor benefit planning
Situation
A couple wants to protect the surviving spouse’s income over the long run.
What may happen
When one spouse passes away, the surviving spouse may keep only one Social Security benefit (typically the higher of the two), which can reduce household income.
Planning takeaway
We often evaluate the higher earner’s claiming decision as part of survivor planning and long-term cash-flow stability.
Want this personalized?
We can review your Social Security options in the context of your broader retirement plan—timing, spousal/survivor benefits, and tax considerations— and help you feel confident about the decision.