Your Social Security Playbook: Building Your Strategy- Single Filers

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 complicatedPRACTICAL 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. REFERENCESSocial Security AdministrationLive 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 McConaghyRock Retirement with Roger Whitney — YouTube channelSubmit a Question for Roger