Skip to main content
Created: August 2, 2025
Modified: July 29, 2025

Social Security Made Simple

Social Security is anything but simple — but understanding how to make the right decisions doesn’t have to be. When it all boils down, knowing when to take Social Security, how to take it, and how it fits into the rest of your financial plan can make all the difference.

In this week’s Better Money Boston with WCVB Channel 5, David Shapiro breaks down Social Security in clear, straightforward terms to help you make the most informed choices.

Timing is Everything

One of the most consequential retirement decisions you’ll make is when to start taking Social Security. You have several options: you can begin as early as age 62, wait until your full retirement age (between 66 and 67, depending on your birth year), delay until age 70, or choose any age in between.

The timing you select will directly impact your monthly benefit — with age 62 resulting in the lowest payout and age 70 offering the highest. This decision is permanent for the most part, underscoring the importance of sitting down with a financial professional to create a personalized plan.

Marital Status Adds Another Layer

Your marital status also plays a key role in determining the size of your Social Security benefit. If you’re married, you can choose to collect either your own benefit or up to half of your spouse’s; whichever is higher. If you’ve lost a spouse, you may be eligible for survivor benefits based on their record. And if you were married for at least 10 years and haven’t gotten remarried, you may be able to claim a portion of your ex-spouse’s benefit.

It’s Just One Piece of the Puzzle

Social Security was never intended to be a primary source of retirement income. It is, however, an important component of a well-rounded retirement income strategy. If you have other savings, a pension, or investments, you have greater flexibility in deciding when to claim Social Security. Ultimately, ensuring all your income sources work together as efficiently as possible is key.

Even with a basic understanding, Social Security can be complex. Given these intricacies, consulting a financial professional can help ensure you maximize the benefits available to you.

Information presented in our podcasts is considered current as of the created date. Over time, some information presented may become stale. We recommend you consult with your Financial Professional before making any changes based on information contained here.

Johnson Brunetti is a marketing name for the businesses of JB Capital and JN Financial.

Investment Advisory Services offered through JB Capital, LLC. Insurance Products offered through JN Financial, LLC.
The guarantees provided by any type of insurance contract are based on the claims-paying ability of the insurance company.

Resources by Topic

Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel

Share

Related Resources

  • What Age Should I Start Social Security?

    Among the many decisions you’ll make in retirement, when to take Social Security is certainly one of the most impactful. You can collect Social Security as early as age 62, receive the full amount…
  • Adjusting Your Money Mindset

    An important shift must occur when you enter retirement: your money mindset needs a reset, and your financial strategies must evolve to match your new objectives. While growth is still important, …
  • The Power of Proactive Tax Planning

    Retirement doesn’t mean the end of taxes. But with the right strategies, there are ways to reduce their impact. Through proactive tax planning, your retirement accounts become a year-round strateg…
  • Working with a Financial Advisor

    You wouldn’t let just anyone manage your money or guide you through one of life’s most pivotal milestones. Knowing who to trust with your retirement can make all the difference. With so much on yo…
  • Retirement Planning FAQ

    Planning for retirement often raises important questions about managing your finances wisely, reducing your tax burden, protecting your wealth, and making the right decisions for you and your fami…
  • 3 Avoidable Retirement Surprises

    Even the most carefully crafted retirement plans can go off track if you haven’t accounted for some of the biggest surprises along the way. While many factors can impact your retirement, the good …
  • Social Security Myths Debunked

    With so many rules and choices involved, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or intimidated by Social Security. As a key source of retirement income, this decision deserves careful consideration, which …
  • Podcast Episode 413: Will Social Security Run Out?

    Prefer to watch? Click here to watch and listen on YouTube. Social Security has been making headlines lately, and for good reasons. According to current estimates, the Social Security Trust Fun…
  • Estate Planning First Steps

    Getting started with estate planning can feel daunting, but taking those first steps often brings clarity and peace of mind. An estate plan not only ensures your assets are managed and distributed…
  • Preparing for RMDs

    Regardless of where you are in your retirement planning journey, required minimum distributions (RMDs) are a key factor to keep in mind. Gaining clarity on RMDs now can help you make more informed…
    Back to top
    Our Locations
    Johnson Brunetti
    Welcome to Our New Website!
    Everything was designed with you in mind, making our retirement planning resources more easily accessible to you.
    Check out your new resource center, where everything can be organized by article type or topic
    Are you ready to speak with a financial advisor?
    Skip to content