Don’t Leave Money on the Table.
Every situation is unique, but the goal remains the same: maximizing what you keep. Standard advice often misses the nuances of spousal coordination, survivor benefits, and tax implications.
Below are hypothetical scenarios illustrating how our analysis identifies “missing money” that standard claiming often overlooks.
The “Standard” Married Couple
The Situation:
John (62) and Sarah (60) planned to file for Social Security as soon as they were eligible to generate immediate cash flow.
The Optimization:
We analyzed their life expectancies and other assets. By coordinating spousal benefits and delaying the higher earner’s claim to age 70, we identified a strategy that bridged the income gap using other savings first.
The Result:
An estimated $142,000 increase in lifetime benefits compared to their original plan.
The Divorced Filer
The Situation:
Michael (68, divorced) assumed he could only claim on his own work record. He was preparing to file for his standard benefit.
The Optimization:
We identified that he was eligible for a higher benefit on his ex-spouse’s record (having been married for over 10 years). We structured a plan to claim the ex-spousal benefit now while letting his own personal benefit grow by 8% per year.
The Result:
An immediate monthly boost of $600, followed by a maximized personal benefit at age 70.
The Surviving Spouse
The Situation:
Elena (64, widowed) was terrified of running out of money. She intended to claim her own retirement benefit immediately.
The Optimization:
We structured a “Survivor Switch” strategy. This allowed her to claim a survivor benefit now, while allowing her own retirement benefit to continue growing until age 70.
The Result:
Protected longevity income and peace of mind knowing she maximized her guaranteed monthly check for the rest of her life.
Disclaimer:
These scenarios are for illustrative purposes only. Actual benefits depend on your unique earnings history, date of birth, and lifespan. Past performance of strategies does not guarantee future results.
