Q1 Strategy Review: Is Your 2026 Plan on Track?
Confused by Social Security?
We are three months into the year. This is the perfect moment for a 15-minute Strategy Checkup.
3 Things to Check Right Now
- Your Earnings: Are you on pace to stay under the 2026 Earnings Limit?
- Your Tax Withholding: Did you owe money this tax season? Adjust your W-4V now.
- Your Spending: Is inflation eating your budget? We may need to adjust withdrawals.
Planning for the Rest of 2026
If you plan to file later this year, get your documents (marriage certificate, birth certificate) ready now.
About Author
Ray R. Harris
Ray R. Harris, RSSA®, partners with tax and legal professionals to provide specialized Social Security claiming analysis for high-net-worth clients aged 58–70. A former executive with an MBA and background in Finance, Ray mitigates liability for his partners by ensuring their clients optimize spousal benefits, tax efficiency, and lifetime income.
Related Articles
Remarrying After 60: The One Rule You Must Know
Finding love later in life is wonderful. But check your birth certificate. Remarrying before 60 forfeits survivor benefits. The Golden Rule: Age 60 Wait until after 60 to remarry, and you keep your eligibility for survivor benefits from your deceased spouse. Planning a wedding? Let’s make sure your financial house is in order first. Book…
Capital Gains Surprise: Selling Your Home and the IRMAA Cliff
Planning to downsize? The capital gains from selling your home could trigger a massive Medicare surcharge two years later. The IRMAA Cliff Any profit above the exclusion ($250k/$500k) counts as income. This spike can double your Medicare premiums in 2028. Planning a big asset sale? Let’s map out the tax and Medicare impact before you…
“My Neighbor Gets $4,000 a Month. Why Don’t I?” (Understanding the Formula)
Comparison is the thief of joy. If your neighbor gets more, it’s due to the PIA formula. 1. It’s an Average Social Security averages your highest 35 years. One bad decade pulls down the average. 2. The “Bend Points” Social Security replaces a higher percentage of income for lower earners. High earners get a lower…
