Maximizing Social Security:

One Decision. 3,000+ Filing Options. No Do-Overs.

Learn the most common mistakes and misperceptions—so you don’t leave six figures on the table.

Social Security is the cornerstone of retirement income for most Americans


And while it may not be your only source of income, it still plays a critical role.


The problem? Most people file without a strategy—and that mistake can cost them $100,000 to $300,000 in lost lifetime income over a typical 20–30 year retirement.


We help you make a decision that’s optimized, coordinated, and personalized—so your benefit works with the rest of your retirement plan, not against it.

Your Personalized “Paycheck Maximizer” Process

Because Filing Late Isn’t Always Wrong. Filing Blind Always Is.

Step 1

RUN THE NUMBERS

We input your Social Security data, spousal details, retirement  income, tax bracket, and Medicare impact.

Step 2

ANALYZE 3,000+ FILING OPTIONS

We use elite planning software to stress test every legal combination.

Step 3

CHOOSE THE BEST PATH

You’ll see exactly when to file, how it coordinates with your plan, and how much lifetime income it could generate—after tax.

Step 4

CLAIM WITH CONFIDENCE

We’ll prep your roadmap, walk you through the SSA process, and check in annually to keep you  on track.

Every Retirement Plan is Unique

A few key inputs reveal how the optimal Social Security strategy shifts based on risks, preferences, and lifestyle goals. Exploring scenarios helps challenge assumptions—and empowers clients to retire with clarity and confidence.

Find Your Optimal Strategy


We instantly identify your optimal claiming strategy—no guesswork, no spreadsheets.


Want to see how things change if you retire a year earlier, live a few years longer, or delay filing by just 6 months? We can model that in seconds.


That’s why we run 3,000+ strategy combinations, stress-tested across taxes, IRMAA, survivor planning, and life expectancy—to help you make a decision that’s not just smart… but actually right for you.

Model the Trade-Offs


Every Social Security decision comes with trade-offs.


Whether you’re thinking about claiming early or waiting until 70, we don’t guess—we model.


Using advanced software, we show how each strategy affects your lifetime income, tax exposure, and financial flexibility.


It’s not about chasing a “perfect” answer.


It’s about choosing the strategy that aligns with your goals, your health, and your lifestyle.

Evaluate Plans Holistically


We take Social Security planning beyond the basics by showing how a strategy impacts the entire retirement plan, how much clients can spend overall and the

risks they face in retirement.


Because smart Social Security planning isn’t about one decision. It’s about how that decision supports the whole plan.


Why Even Smart People File Wrong

We’ve seen plenty of brilliant folks make costly Social Security mistakes—not because they weren’t smart, but because the system is deceptively complex and full of “it depends.”

Top 5 Most Common Mistakes to Avoid

1

MISTAKE #1: It’s not just 62, 67, or 70

There are over 3,000 filing combinations based on your age, marital status, and work history — so simply defaulting to age 67 or waiting until 70 isn’t always wise.


Filing later can increase your monthly benefit, but it might also mean missing prime years for Roth conversions, forcing larger IRA withdrawals, or triggering higher taxes and Medicare premiums.


Smart timing isn’t about hitting a round number — it’s about syncing Social Security with your total retirement income strategy.

2

MISTAKE #2: Using Break-even Charts to Make the Decision

It feels smart and mathematical — “If I live past age X, delaying pays off.” But this approach ignores every other critical factor, like taxes, survivor benefits, Medicare premiums, investment returns, and whether you need the income now or not.


This approach is incomplete at best — and dangerous at worst.

3

MISTAKE #3: Assuming Social Security will Guide You

Social Security office is legally prohibited from giving personalized advice - they can tell you what you qualify for—not when or how to claim it. You’re on your own… unless you work with someone who runs the numbers.

4

MISTAKE #4: Failing to coordinate with a spouse or ex-spouse

Social Security isn’t just about your benefit—it’s about your household’s income. If you file without coordinating with your spouse (or ex-spouse), you could:


  • Miss out on spousal benefits worth up to 50% of your spouse’s benefit
  • Lock in a lower survivor benefit for the one who outlives the other
  • Leave thousands per year on the table for decades


The result? A surviving spouse could be forced to live on a fraction of the income they expected — for the rest of their life.

5

Mistake #5: Ignoring the Tax and Medicare Ripple Effects

Social Security doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Coordinating Social Security with your other income streams isn’t optional. It’s the difference between a strategy… and an expensive surprise.


The moment you turn it on, it interacts with your IRAs, pensions, Roths, annuities—and your tax bracket. Filing too early or too late can push more of your benefit into the taxable range and trigger IRMAA surcharges on your Medicare premiums costing thousands more in taxes and Medicare penalties — every single year.