The Measure You Use: Social Security Timing

In Luke 6:41, Jesus says “give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Have you ever considered this with your own personal Social Security?

This is the question Hans and Robby answer in this week's episode. Social Security is the pillar of many peoples retirement income, so the check needs to be as large as you can get it to be. The idea of Social Security planning can really just be broken down into “When am I going to be taking my check?”

Robby tells the story of his friend who gave him advice about taking his Social Security check early. Hans then discusses the number one reason that Robby might not want to do this: his wife.

There are absolutely people who need to take their check early and then there are people for whom it would be more beneficial to wait. Hans goes over these situations and points out that the biggest mistakes that he sees clients make is taking  Social Security advice that their friends and family have given. They are not in your situation, you need to find out what works best for you, not your best friend or brother or sister.

Hans and Robby also go over Robby’s own personal Social Security Earnings statement. Hans explains how you get this now, since it does not come in the mail, as well as the most important numbers on the report.

Going through Robby’s statement, Hans points out how much money he and his wife would lose by Robby taking his check early. Just doing the math is very important in figuring out when you should take your Social Security statement.

Don’t forget to get your copy of “The Complete Cardinal Guide to Planning for and Living in Retirement” on Amazon or on CardinalGuide.com for free!

You can contact Hans and Cardinal by emailing hans@cardinalguide.com or calling 919-535-8261. Learn more at CardinalGuide.com.