At the end of a recent meeting, a client shared something that truly stopped me in my tracks..

“We look at our accounts and we look at that new site that you gave us that shows our net worth and everything, and we comfort from that, but we draw the most comfort from the fact that we trust you and you are a game changer for us. We draw great comfort from knowing that we're in good hands.”

Hearing words like that is both humbling and inspiring. I often feel a deep sense of responsibility for each client’s financial success—but moments like this remind me that what we do goes far beyond the numbers. It’s about trust, relationships, and helping people feel confident that they’re on the right path. Knowing that our work provides that kind of reassurance makes it all worth it.

Thank you!

Social Security Claiming Strategies: Beyond the Breakeven Calculator

💬 From Episode 74:

Deciding when to start Social Security is more than a math equation. It’s about balancing life expectancy, risk tolerance, and long-term income needs.

In this episode, I explore the trade-offs of claiming early versus delaying for larger benefits. I explain how investing early benefits might change the picture, why survivor benefits matter, and how taxes and policy changes could influence your strategy. This conversation highlights the importance of tailoring the decision to your unique situation.

Tune in to learn:

• Why breakeven calculators don’t tell the full story about Social Security timing
• The potential of investing early benefits into accounts like a Roth IRA
• How spousal benefits and survivor planning influence claiming strategies
• The role of taxes, risk tolerance, and other income sources in the decision
• Possible future adjustments Congress may make to Social Security rules
• 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

• 👉 Get Your Complimentary Retirement & Tax Analysis​
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• 📄Read
  • Episode 74 Transcript
• 🎧 Listen
  • #3 - Preparing for Retirement: Seven Essential Strategies for Successful Investing in Retirement
  • #54 - How Social Security Gets Taxed: What You Need to Know
  • #57 - 7 Ways to Access Retirement Funds Early Without a Penalty
  • #65 - How the New Tax Law Could Impact Your Retirement
• 👩‍👩‍👧‍👦 Connect & Participate
  • Join the Simply Retirement Community Facebook Group
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This Week's Free Retirement Resource

👉 ​​What Issues Should I Consider With My Social Security Retirement Benefits?

Social Security retirement benefits can be particularly complex, and many individuals really struggle with their decision on how to file.

With guidance, you will be able to determine how to best approach their Social Security retirement benefits and whether your benefits may tie in with other financial planning goals.

This checklist covers the key issues to consider when you must make a decision surrounding your Social Security retirement benefits, such as:

• Determining whether they should file early or delay their benefits.
• Understanding the claiming options you have at your disposal.
• Coordinating your benefits with your spouse or ex-spouse.
• Understanding how your benefits may impact other tax-planning goals.

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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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