Good morning, Simply Retirement Community!

Welcome to the weekly newsletter that reminds us that retirement is not the end of the road; it is the start of a new journey.

Big winter storms seem to hit North Texas every couple of years. When one shows up, everything (and everyone) seems to pause. The past few days have kept us mostly inside, watching the quiet settle in outside our windows.

Early Sunday morning, our street was covered in snow. Living in historic Downtown McKinney, Texas, it's one of those rare sights that happens from time to time around here that makes it actually feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

And of course, true to form, grocery stores around town were cleared out for what was expected to be a two- to three-day event. Somewhat understandable after what we all lived through in 2021.

In the meantime, our entertainment came courtesy of the birds, who wasted no time finding the birdseed we placed on the picnic table in the yard and turning it into their own little café. So simple but actually quite fascinating. From the various bird species that showed up to the interactions among them. The brilliant red of the cardinals against a white, snowy backdrop was my favorite… and, of course, our cats staring longingly out the window 🤣. Unfortunately, one bird apparently met its demise at the paws of the neighbor's cat 😬.

💬 From Episode 89

Q&A: Understanding Differences between Social Security Spousal vs. Survivor Benefits

Social Security decisions can feel overwhelming, especially when trying to understand spousal and survivor benefits.

What benefits are you entitled to based on your spouse's record? When should you claim them?

In this Q&A episode, I address two common Social Security questions that women face. I walk through the step-by-step process for determining spousal benefits for married couples and explore the strategic decisions widows face when choosing between their own retirement benefit and survivor benefits. I also share practical guidance for a recent widow navigating cash flow challenges, work decisions, and benefit timing in the early months after loss.

Tune in to learn:

• The six-step process to determine spousal benefit eligibility and calculate the maximum benefit amount
• How survivor benefits differ from spousal benefits and why this distinction matters for your strategy
• Why starting one benefit early while delaying another can maximize lifetime Social Security income
• Cash flow considerations when facing the decision to return to work while receiving benefits
• The importance of sequencing decisions rather than rushing to solve everything at once
• And more!

You can catch every episode of The Simply Retirement Podcast on the website - or on your favorite podcast app.

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Related Links & Resources

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  • ​Episode 89 Transcript​
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The Retirement Toolbox

👉 Am I Eligible for Social Security Benefits As A Spouse?​​​

Under Social Security, spousal benefits present an important source of income for many women. But several important factors and issues must be considered. Determinations regarding available benefits and timing can be difficult.

To help make the analysis easier, we have created the “Am I Eligible For Social Security Benefits As A Spouse?” flowchart. It answers the question by looking at these common issues:

• Eligibility and age considerations
• Spouse vs. ex-spouse implications
• Impact of a remarriage
• Impact of having children
• Timing and amount of benefits available

Have more questions about retirement planning? Just hit reply to this email. I read and respond to every message. 😃

Keeping Retirement Simple,

Eric Blake, CFP®

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