Hi Jan,
Social Security gets a lot of attention in retirement planning conversations, and most of it centers on one question: when should you claim? That question matters, but it's only the beginning.
This week's article takes a wider view. Social Security isn't just a retirement benefit. It's survivor protection, longevity insurance, and a system that connects directly to how your household manages taxes and Medicare costs after the first spouse passes. The widow's penalty is real, IRMAA thresholds get cut nearly in half for single filers, and Roth conversions often look a lot more compelling once you see the full picture. The best Social Security strategy isn't always the one that produces the highest projected benefit. It's usually the one that holds the plan together when it's tested.
If you've been thinking about Social Security mostly in terms of break-even calculations and claiming ages, this one is worth reading.
| | | | Social Security Planning Is About More Than Maximizing Benefits Anyone who has owned a home for a long time knows the most visible projects are not always the most important. Paint colors, kitchen updates, and landscaping get the attention, while the roof, furnace, and water heater do their jobs in the background until something goes wrong. Retirement planning works the same way. Investment performance, withdrawal rates, and Social Security claiming strategies tend to dominate the conversation, but some of the most consequential issues show up later, after one spouse has passed and the household files as a single taxpayer.
By Retirement Researcher | | | | Making the Most of Your Social Security Benefits Social Security is one of the most reliable components of a retirement income plan. It’s guaranteed for life, adjusts with inflation, and provides a steady income stream no matter what’s happening in the markets. As a result, Social Security benefits help manage longevity risk, inflation risk, and market risk. But while the benefit itself is dependable, the way you choose to claim it can have a lasting impact on the total amount you receive over time.
By McLean Asset Management
| | | | Should You Worry About Social Security Running Out?
Wade and Alex tackle listener questions on Social Security's long-term funding outlook, including how much younger workers actually need to discount their projected benefits, plus claiming strategies for couples with age gaps and similar benefit amounts.
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