For many people, the decision to begin Social Security isn’t purely financial, it’s emotional. One of our clients recently shared just how much uncertainty the process stirred up, even though she had more than enough resources to cover her retirement needs.
On paper, Carrie was in excellent shape. Years of saving and investing had left her with financial security. But when it came time to decide whether to claim Social Security, she felt hesitant. The headlines didn’t help — constant political chatter about the future of Social Security made her worry that if she waited, the program might not be there for her at all.
Adding to the uncertainty is the fact that, in most cases, it’s advisable to wait as long as possible before claiming Social Security. Each year you delay, your benefit grows — and for many people, that can mean tens of thousands of dollars more over the course of retirement. The conventional wisdom says: wait if you can. But that advice doesn’t always tell the full story.
Carrie turned to us for help sorting through the pros and cons. Advisor Ryan Turbyfill walked through her full retirement plan, step by step. Ryan showed her how Social Security fit into the bigger picture and confirmed what she needed most: reassurance. It was almost as if she needed a little nudge to give herself permission to enjoy this stage of life. With that reassurance, she moved forward and filed.
The result? A huge sense of relief. Instead of worrying about the “what-ifs,” Carrie was free to enjoy the benefits she had earned. In fact, the first thing she did was book a trip to Mexico — something she had wanted to do but hadn’t quite given herself permission for.
This is a good reminder that financial planning is about more than maximizing numbers on a spreadsheet, it’s about aligning money with life goals and the confidence to live them out. Whether you’re thinking about claiming Social Security early or waiting until your full retirement age, we’ll help you understand your options and guide you every step of the way — no guilt, no stress, just the freedom to live your life on your terms.
- You can start collecting Social Security as early as age 62 — but your monthly benefit is permanently reduced.
- Your Full Retirement Age (FRA) is between 66 and 67, depending on the year you were born. Filing at FRA means you’ll receive your full benefit.
- If you delay benefits beyond FRA, your payment grows by about 8% each year until age 70. Waiting until 70 usually yields the largest monthly benefit.
- The conventional wisdom says: wait if you can. But that advice isn’t always right for everybody.