Roger Whitney explains how solo filers can make a confident Social Security claiming decision without getting overwhelmed by complexity. He covers the biggest mistakes to avoid, introduces a practical decision-making framework, answers listener questions about survivor benefits, and closes with a simple action step for deciding when to revisit the issue.

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN PODCAST

• (00:00) Intro: Why Social Security decisions get complicated

PRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT

• (02:55) Social Security claiming framework for solo filers: avoiding common mistakes, knowing when to begin, using the OODA framework, evaluating your plan and personal circumstances, checking survivor or divorced-spouse benefits, identifying your priorities, and testing your options against your retirement plan.

LISTENER QUESTIONS

• (36:24) Karen asks how to switch from her own Social Security benefit to survivor benefits later.
• (39:06) Julie asks whether she should claim survivor benefits first while letting her own benefit grow.
• (40:54) Drew asks how retiring at 60 and claiming at 64 would affect his Social Security benefits.

SMART SPRINT

• (46:50) If Social Security is still a green banana, use your full retirement age in your plan and set a date to revisit it; if it’s ripe, follow the protocol and make your claiming decision.

ON THE BOOKSHELF

• (47:30) Roger recommends The Violin Maker, while Natalia gives Wild Dark Shore five out of five for its emotional depth and thrilling twists.

REFERENCES

• Social Security Administration
• Live Year-End Planning Session
• Sign up for the Noodle!
• The Violin Maker: Finding a Centuries-Old Tradition in a Brooklyn Workshop by John Marchese
• Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
• Rock Retirement with Roger Whitney — YouTube channel
• Submit a Question for Roger