Claiming & benefits

Social Security

When to claim, spousal and survivor strategy, the earnings test, taxes on benefits, and the costly mistakes to avoid.

Articles

Social Security, explained

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Social Security Optimization

Social Security and Retirement Abroad: What Happens to Your Benefits If You Move Overseas

Social Security and Retirement Abroad: What Happens to Your Benefits If You Move Overseas URL Slug: /social-security-retirement-abroad/ Meta Description: Learn

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Social Security Optimization

Social Security Disability Benefits: What Happens When You Can’t Work Before Retirement

Social Security Disability Benefits: What Happens When You Can’t Work Before Retirement Table of Contents Nobody Plans to Become Disabled at 58 SSDI vs. SSI: Tw

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Social Security Optimization

Social Security WEP and GPO: How Government Pensions Affect Your Benefits

Social Security WEP and GPO: How Government Pensions Affect Your Benefits Table of Contents The Shock That Hits Public Employees at Retirement What Is the Windf

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Social Security Optimization

What Happens to Social Security If Congress Doesn’t Act?

Key Takeaways Social Security is not going bankrupt. Even if Congress does nothing, the program will still pay approximately 83% of scheduled benefits after the

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Social Security Optimization

How to Read Your Social Security Statement — and What Most People Miss

Every year, the Social Security Administration mails a statement to workers age 60 and older — and most of them glance at the estimated benefit number on page…

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Social Security Optimization

Social Security Survivor Benefits: The Timing Move Most Widows Miss

Surviving spouses have two distinct Social Security benefits — their own retirement benefit and a survivor benefit on the late spouse’s record. Most widows clai

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Social Security Optimization

Social Security Divorced Spouse Benefits: What You’re Entitled To After a Marriage Ends

Key Takeaways If your marriage lasted 10 years or more, you may be entitled to Social Security benefits based on your ex-spouse’s earnings record — up to 50%…

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Social Security Optimization

How the Social Security Earnings Test Works After Early Retirement

Key Takeaways In 2026, you can earn up to $24,480 per year while collecting Social Security before the earnings test reduces your benefits — if you’re under ful

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Social Security Optimization

Social Security and Taxes: How Much of Your Benefit Is Taxable?

Social Security and Taxes: How Much of Your Benefit Is Taxable? Here’s a number that surprises almost every pre-retiree the first time they hear it: up to 85…

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Social Security Optimization

When to File for Social Security: A Decision Framework

Deciding when to file for Social Security is one of the most consequential financial choices you will make in retirement. There is no single right age — but…

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Social Security Optimization

7 Social Security Myths That Shrink Your Benefits

These 7 widespread Social Security myths lead to smaller checks and costly mistakes. See which ones you believe — and what the data actually shows.

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Social Security Optimization

The Complete Guide to Social Security Spousal Benefits

Social Security spousal benefits could add hundreds per month to your household income. Learn who qualifies, how to calculate your benefit, and when to claim.

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Social Security Optimization

Hypothetical Case Study: How a Married Couple Could Reduce Taxes on Social Security by Over $18,000

Hypothetical Illustration: This case study is a hypothetical example based on common situations encountered in retirement planning. It does not represent any sp

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Social Security Optimization

The Hidden Tax Trap in Social Security Most Retirees Miss in 2026

If there’s one thing I hear over and over from retirees and pre-retirees, it’s this: “I thought Social Security wasn’t taxable… or at least not much.” Unfortuna

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Social Security Optimization

What the 2.8% COLA for 2026 Means for Your Social Security Benefits

The Social Security Administration has officially announced a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2026.That means beginning in January 2026, Social Securi

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Social Security Optimization

Social Security Solvency in 2025: What It Means for Retirees

In 2034 — about eight years from now — the Social Security trust funds are projected to run short. If Congress does nothing, retirees that year would still…

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Social Security Optimization

Understanding Social Security Survivor Benefits: Who Qualifies & Real-Life Cases

When it comes to Social Security, most people think of retirement benefits. But what happens when a spouse passes away? That’s where Social Security survivor be

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Where to start

Start free. Go as deep as you want.

Four ways to get your Social Security and retirement decisions right — beginning with the free guide and the free calculator, all the way to the book and the binder.

01Free

The free Social Security guide

The claiming questions most people get wrong — answered in plain English, with the numbers that actually move the decision.

Download it free→

02Free tool

The Social Security calculator

Run your own claiming scenarios in minutes and see what waiting — or filing early — is really worth to you.

Open the calculator→

03$8.99

Social Security Decisions Made Simple

Every claiming decision that matters — spousal, survivor, taxes, the earnings test — in one plain-English place, with current 2026 figures.

See the book→

04Printable

The Just in Case Binder

The printable that lets your spouse find every account, policy, and password — without guessing — when it matters most.

See the binder→

Keep exploring

The other retirement decisions.

Income & withdrawals

Retirement Planning

Turning a lifetime of savings into a dependable retirement paycheck — sequencing, withdrawals, and an income floor that lasts.

Explore Retirement Planning →

The Now / Soon / Later framework

Bucket Planning

Thomas's signature framework — Now for liquidity, Soon for a guaranteed income floor, Later for growth.

Explore Bucket Planning →

Coverage at 65+

Medicare & Healthcare

Choosing the right coverage, avoiding IRMAA surprises, and planning for healthcare costs in retirement.

Explore Medicare & Healthcare →

Keep more of it

Tax-Smart Retirement

Roth conversions, withdrawal order, RMDs after 73, and keeping more of every retirement dollar.

Explore Tax-Smart Retirement →

Staying the course

Markets & Investing

Market context for retirees and the psychology of staying invested through volatility.

Explore Markets & Investing →