This printable guide helps you compare claim ages, understand spousal and survivor rules, factor in the earnings test if you work before Full Retirement Age, and see how taxes can apply. Use the checklist to prep questions for your advisor.
Educational only—not tax or legal advice.
This printable guide helps you compare claim ages, understand spousal and survivor rules, factor in the earnings test if you work before Full Retirement Age, and see how taxes can apply. Use the checklist to prep questions for your advisor.
Educational only—not tax or legal advice.
Instant download + email copy
Age 62 (earliest), Full Retirement Age for full benefits, and why credits stop at 70.
Up to 50% of the worker's FRA benefit—if you file at your FRA. Reductions apply if earlier.
Widow/er can receive up to 100% at survivor FRA; reduced if claimed earlier.
If you claim before FRA and keep working, some benefits may be withheld—but recalculated later.
Who can still file "spousal only" with a restricted application (born before Jan 2, 1954).
Up to 85% of benefits may be taxable depending on income (IRS Publication 915 rules).
A preview of what's covered in the guide—in plain English.
You can start benefits at 62, but you only get the full amount at your Full Retirement Age (FRA varies by birth year—67 for those born 1960 or later). Delaying after FRA increases your monthly benefit via Delayed Retirement Credits (8% per year), but credits stop at 70—there's no increase for waiting past 70.
2026 update: FRA reaches 67 for those born 1960+ starting November 2026—the final step in the 1983 law's phase-in.
A spouse can receive as much as 50% of the worker's FRA benefit by claiming at their own FRA. Filing earlier reduces the amount. Special rules may apply if caring for a qualifying child.
A surviving spouse can receive up to 100% of the worker's benefit at the survivor's FRA. Filing earlier pays a reduced percentage. Divorced spouses may also qualify under certain conditions.
If you claim early and earn above the annual limit, Social Security withholds some benefits. Those withheld amounts are not lost—your benefit is recalculated at FRA to credit those months.
2026 limits: $24,480/year if under FRA all year ($1 withheld per $2 over). $65,160 in the year you reach FRA ($1 per $3 over, until the month you hit FRA).
Most people filing today are under deemed filing rules: if you're eligible for both worker and spousal benefits, you generally apply for both and receive the higher. The old "restricted application" (spousal-only) generally still applies only to those born before January 2, 1954.
Depending on your combined income, up to 85% of Social Security benefits may be taxable. IRS Publication 915 explains the worksheet and thresholds. We coordinate claiming with your withdrawal plan to help manage taxes.
Get the complete guide with printable checklist
Download the GuideYour Full Retirement Age depends on your birth year—it's when you can claim unreduced retirement benefits. For those born in 1960 or later, FRA is 67. Claiming before FRA permanently reduces your monthly benefit (up to 30% if you start at 62). The SSA website has a calculator that shows your exact FRA.
Delaying beyond FRA increases your monthly benefit by about 8% per year via Delayed Retirement Credits—but increases stop at 70. Whether waiting pays off depends on your health, cash-flow needs, other income sources, and tax situation. We can model different scenarios to help you decide.
Generally only if you were born before January 2, 1954 (the "restricted application" option). Otherwise, deemed filing applies—when you file, you're automatically applying for all benefits you're eligible for and receive the higher amount. This strategy is no longer available for most people.
No. The earnings test may withhold benefits before FRA, but SSA recalculates your benefit at FRA to credit those months. In 2026, if you're under FRA all year, $1 is withheld for every $2 you earn above $24,480. Once you reach FRA, you can earn any amount without reduction.
Maybe. Depending on your "combined income" (AGI + nontaxable interest + half your SS benefits), up to 85% of benefits may be taxable under IRS rules. See IRS Publication 915 for the worksheet. We coordinate claiming timing with your withdrawal plan to help manage overall taxes.
Our guides are a starting point. For personalized modeling of different claim ages, spousal coordination, and how Social Security fits your overall retirement income plan, schedule a 20-minute introductory call.
Or call us directly: (480) 597-1743
Instant download + email copy
Instant download + email copy