Maximizing Your Social Security Benefits

Oakleaf Advisors - Rooted in Trust | Bridging Life • Health • Retirement

Retirement is the ultimate reward after decades of hard work, saving, and planning. To make the most of this new chapter, it’s important to have a thoughtful strategy that focuses on two key areas:

1. Building wealth and savings during your working years; and
2. Maximizing income during retirement.

For most Americans, Social Security plays a major role in that income. That’s why developing a Social Security maximization plan is essential to protecting your financial future.

Maximizing your Social Security means making informed choices to help you receive the greatest lifetime benefit possible.

Depending on your goals and life expectancy, “maximizing” can mean different things. You can:

• Claim early (before your full retirement age) to receive more years of payments
• Claim at your full retirement age for a balanced benefit
• Delay benefits beyond your full retirement age to receive a higher monthly amount

If longevity runs in your family, delaying benefits may give you the most lifetime income. If you expect a shorter retirement horizon, claiming earlier could make sense.

Your benefit amount is based on your highest 35 years of earnings. The higher your average income, the higher your benefit will be.

If you’re self-employed or have flexibility in how you receive compensation, consider taking more as taxable income during your peak earning years.



Each additional year of higher earnings can replace a lower-earning year in your record and boost your benefit.

The Power of Working Longer

Your benefit is based on your average indexed monthly earnings from your highest 35 earning years. Many people earn their highest salaries later in life. Working longer can help you:

• Replace early low-earning years in your benefit calculation
• Benefit from higher wage levels over time
• Increase your eventual Social Security payments

Even though your past earnings are adjusted for inflation, your recent income often has the most impact.

The Advantage of Delaying Benefits

Every month you delay claiming beyond your full retirement age, your benefit increases until age 70.

This can result in a significantly higher monthly payment, providing more security later in life and protection against outliving your savings.

If you can afford to wait, delaying your benefits can be one of the most powerful strategies for maximizing lifetime income.

Spousal and Survivor Benefits

If you’re married, divorced, or widowed, you may qualify for spousal or survivor benefits. These can increase your household income, especially if one spouse earned significantly more.

Knowing which benefits apply to your situation is a key part of a complete Social Security strategy.

Tip: If one spouse claims early for household income, it’s often best for the higher earner to delay for the survivor benefit.

Why Expert Guidance Matters

Social Security is a cornerstone of your retirement plan—but the rules can be complex. The right claiming strategy depends on your:

• Health and longevity
• Marital status
• Other retirement income
• Tax situation
• Long-term financial goals

Working with a knowledgeable advisor can help ensure your choices fit your overall retirement strategy.

Let’s Create Your Personalized Plan

Make the most of the benefits you’ve earned. Oakleaf Advisors can help you understand your options, evaluate your lifetime income projections, and guide you through your ideal claiming strategy.

Call Oakleaf Advisors today at (726) 726-0369 for your complimentary Social Security Income Consultation.