Ep69 | Why Social Security Is a Retirement Planning Decision

Social Security is often talked about like it is just a monthly check. It is not.In this episode, Ray Godleski breaks down one of the most important and most misunderstood decisions in retirement planning. When should you claim? What happens if you claim early and keep working? How does your decision affect your spouse, your taxes, and the surviving spouse? This episode gives you the framework to answer those questions before you file.You'll learn:The three key claiming ages: 62, full retirement age, and 70, and the trade-offs of eachHow delayed retirement credits work and when delaying makes sense and when it does notWhy the break-even age is important but should not be the only factor in your decisionHow Social Security affects your taxes, Medicare premiums, and portfolio withdrawalsWhy married couples should never make Social Security decisions independentlyA 9-question framework to help you decide when to claimIf you're within a few years of retirement and want clarity around your retirement plan, book a complimentary consultation to build a strategy tailored to you:Book a Consultation: https://app.greminders.com/e/9bfdfdf70740f21a2e1cec4140dd884dd4ef6365Tune in and make sure your Social Security decision is part of a real retirement income plan.🎙 Follow the show on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/executive-retirement-compass-financial-planning-to/id1796392113📧 [email protected] welcome. Real answers given.Explore our free tools and resources at: www.YourNextStepFinancial.com