5 Expert Social Security Tips

• **Check Your Earnings Record Annually:** Review your Social Security statement online at least once a year to ensure your earnings are correctly recorded. Errors can impact your future benefits.
• **Understand Your Full Retirement Age (FRA):** Your FRA is crucial as it determines your unreduced benefit. Claiming before or after FRA will result in reduced or increased benefits, respectively.
• **Consider Spousal and Survivor Benefits:** If married or divorced (and meet criteria), you might be eligible for spousal or survivor benefits, which can significantly impact your household income.
• **Factor In Life Expectancy:** Your personal health and family history of longevity should heavily influence your claiming decision. A longer life expectancy often favors delaying benefits.
• **Coordinate with Other Retirement Income:** Social Security should be viewed as one piece of your overall retirement income puzzle. Plan how it integrates with pensions, 401(k)s, IRAs, and other savings.