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Retirement Planning > Social Security > Claiming Strategies

10 Reasons to Claim Social Security at 70

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What You Need to Know

  • Some clients should start claiming sooner, rather than late.
  • Clients who do put off claiming will increase their monthly benefits.
  • The increased monthly benefits can cause more good effects.

Your clients’ Social Security benefits will come in handy during their retirement.

More than 49 million people in the United States now receive Social Security retirement benefits.

They get regular income that keeps pace with inflation and isn’t subject to investment risks or stock market fluctuations.

Social Security is an invaluable resource, but if your clients plan ahead and wait to collect benefits, they can get even more value from the program.

Here are 10 reasons why your clients may want to put off claiming Social Security benefits until age 70.

1. Increased Monthly Benefit

By waiting until age 70, clients can maximize their Social Security benefit amount.

Delaying claiming past their full retirement age (typically around 66 or 67) earns them delayed retirement credits, resulting in a higher monthly benefit for the rest of their life.

2. Extra Inflation Protection

Social Security benefits are adjusted for inflation through cost-of-living adjustments, or COLAs. For 2023, the COLA is 8.7%.

By delaying benefits claiming, clients have a higher starting point, which means their future benefit increases due to COLAs will be more substantial.

3.  More Financial Stability

If clients wait until age 70 to claim, the increased monthly benefit will likely cover a wider range of expenses.

4. Better Survivors Benefits

If a client is married, the decision to delay claiming can also benefit the surviving spouse, as survivor benefits are based on the deceased spouse’s benefit amount.

5. Richer Longevity Protection

If a client anticipates having a longer life expectancy or having a family history of longevity, delaying Social Security can be a smart move.

It helps ensure that the client will have a more substantial income stream much later in life.

It’s at least worth a conversation.

6. Maximized Flexibility

Delaying Social Security lets clients choose between tapping into other retirement resources or continuing to work without being subject to the earnings limit imposed by Social Security before full retirement age.

7. Added Tax Efficiency

If clients have other sources of retirement income, such as a pension or withdrawals from retirement accounts, delaying Social Security may help them reduce their taxable income during their early retirement years.

8. Expanded Protection Against Health Care Costs

If clients wait to claim Social Security and increase their monthly benefits, that will help them cover acute health care costs or long-term care costs later in life.

9. Expanded Investment Opportunities

If clients have other financial resources and can afford to delay claiming Social Security, they gain the opportunity to continue growing their retirement savings through investments (something you’ll help them with, right?) and create a more secure financial future.

10. A Bigger Financial Legacy

An increase in clients’ monthly benefit amount can help the clients be more generous in estate planning.

On the Other Hand…

While this article highlights the advantages of delaying Social Security benefits, it’s important to consider your clients’ unique circumstances, including their overall financial situation, health and retirement goals. Some clients have valid reasons to claim Social Security before age 70.

Remember, it’s about the client and their problems, not you and your product.


Lloyd Lofton (Photo: Lofton)Lloyd Lofton is the founder of Power Behind the Sales and the author of The Saleshero’s Guide To Handling Objections.

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