Social Security Strategy
You Only Claim Once — Here’s How to Get it Right
Claiming Social Security may feel like a simple choice — but it’s one of the most important financial decisions you’ll make in retirement. Claim too early and you may lock in less income for life. Claim too late and you might give up years of benefits you actually needed. The right strategy depends on your income plan, tax picture, and spousal situation — and once you file, you can’t undo it. You must get it right the first time — and it’s always worth planning carefully before you do.
Social Security: The Full Story.
Taking Social Security at the Wrong Time Can Cost You…
And most people don’t realize just how much.
This isn’t about choosing between 62, 67, or 70. It’s about knowing how your benefits interact with the rest of your plan — your taxes, your investments, your retirement income, and your spouse.
Make Sure You Get it Right
Only 4% of retirees claim Social Security at the most financially optimal time, resulting in significant potential income loss.
Timing Does Matter
Claim too early, and you might lock in a lower benefit for life. Wait too long, and you may miss out on years of income you actually needed. Coordinate it poorly, and you could lose thousands to unnecessary taxes or Medicare surcharges.
Beat the Average
The average retiree loses approximately $111,000 in lifetime benefits by claiming Social Security at the wrong time.
One and Done?
Most people think of Social Security as a “one-and-done” decision — but it’s not.
It’s a critical part of your retirement income strategy, and one of the few decisions you can’t take back. And here’s the real problem: Most people guess. Or take advice from someone who doesn’t specialize in retirement income.
They claim because a friend did, or because an advisor gave a surface-level answer — without running the math, without looking at the tax impact, and without coordinating for spousal benefits. That’s where things go wrong. And once you file… you can’t undo it.
How Big of Difference is it?
Claiming Social Security at age 62 can reduce benefits by up to 30% compared to waiting until full retirement age. Delaying benefits past full retirement age increases monthly payments by 8% per year, up to age 70.
Begin the Conversation
Get Help Planning Out Your Social Security Strategy.
Is There Truly a “Right Time” to Take Social Security?
There’s No Universal “Best” Time to Claim Social Security — But There Is a Best Time for You
As you probably already know, you can file for Social Security as early as age 62 — or wait until 70 to receive the maximum monthly benefit.
That gives you an eight-year window to make a decision that can have a substantial impact on your income, your taxes, and your overall retirement.
While the idea of getting the “maximum benefit” might sound like the obvious goal, it isn’t always the best decision for everyone. Your situation is unique. So are your goals. And your retirement doesn’t follow someone else’s timeline — it follows yours.
That’s why it’s so important to make sure your Social Security strategy fits into your broader retirement plan — not the other way around.
Your plan should do two key things:
- Help you claim your benefits at the time that’s right for you — not just what the chart suggests
- Prepare you for the ripple effects your timing decision can have on your taxes, your Medicare premiums, and your other income sources
Because claiming Social Security isn’t just a checkbox — it’s a trigger point. And when it’s done right, it works in support of everything else you’ve built.
Did You Know?
A married couple has over 500 possible filing combinations for Social Security — and choosing the wrong one can cost over $100,000 in lost lifetime benefits.
Your Social Security Decision Shouldn’t Be Made in a Vacuum
The timing of your benefits affects far more than just the size of your check.
It can determine:
- How much you’ll need to withdraw from investments each year
- Whether you’ll trigger avoidable taxes or Medicare penalties
- How well your income plan holds up across a 20–30 year retirement
- What your spouse receives if something happens to you
- And how confident you feel spending — without fear of running out
That’s why Social Security has to be part of a coordinated income strategy — one that’s structured in advance to support your lifestyle, protect your flexibility, and reduce risk.
What a Proper Retirement Income Strategy Looks Like
- It sets up a clear income timeline — so you know what’s coming in, from where, and when
- It balances guaranteed income with investment growth — so you’re not over-relying on the market or underspending from fear
- It plans ahead for taxes and RMDs — so you’re not surprised by hidden costs later
This kind of plan doesn’t start with “what age should I file?” It starts with:
- What do you need your retirement to pay for?
- What assets and accounts are you working with?
- What risks are you exposed to — and how can we preempt them?
Only after answering those questions does the right Social Security timing start to emerge.
Because Social Security doesn’t sit off to the side. It works best when it’s coordinated with everything else — taxes, investments, withdrawals, healthcare, and lifestyle.
And once that coordination is in place, it becomes far easier to feel confident about when to claim — and how to make the rest of your plan work around it.
Begin the Conversation with a Free Retirement Review
This isn’t a sales call. It’s a focused, one-on-one conversation about where you stand and what’s possible from here.
What We’ll Cover in Your Retirement Review
Lifestyle Goals
What do you want retirement to actually look like? Travel, freedom, family, security — we start with the life you want, then build around it.
Current Assets
We’ll review what you’ve built — and help uncover smarter ways to use your 401(k), IRA, or savings more effectively for retirement income.
Income Planning
We’ll identify where your income will come from — and how to make sure it covers what you care about without relying too heavily on the market.
Risk & Tax Exposure
We’ll evaluate how your plan holds up to taxes, longevity, healthcare costs, and market shifts — so your income stays steady, even when life doesn’t.
Long-Term Strategy
We’ll help you turn what you’ve saved into income that lasts — without sacrificing the lifestyle you worked so hard to build.
The Next Steps
By the end of the meeting, you’ll have clarity on what’s working, what’s missing, and what to do next.
What You Get With Fullerton
- A retirement income plan built around your lifestyle goals — not a generic formula
- A coordinated investment and withdrawal strategy that supports income for life
- Social Security timing guidance to help you get the most from your benefits
- A reliable income floor — often supported by high-quality annuities with GLWBs, when appropriate
- Tax-smart withdrawal strategies designed to adapt to changing laws and future needs
- Personalized guidance on Medicare and long-term care planning
- A clear roadmap for RMDs, Roth conversions, and income sequencing
- Legacy and beneficiary planning that protects your spouse and supports your values
- Ongoing reviews and proactive adjustments to keep your plan aligned as life evolves
- Direct access to your advisor — no call centers, no hand-offs
- A secure client portal with full access to your plan and documents
Invitations to Fullerton’s exclusive client events and appreciation gatherings - A local, retirement-minded community with shared goals and values
- Financial confidence for your spouse and family — with clarity, not complexity
- Experienced, time-tested guidance from a leading independent Arizona-based planning firm focused on your future
Income
Planning
A strategy to turn your savings into reliable, steady income — so your lifestyle stays on track in retirement.
Tax
Planning
Smart planning to reduce future taxes and keep more of your money working for you.
Health Care
Planning
Protection against rising healthcare costs, including long-term care, built into your plan.
Risk
Management
A clear approach to guarding your wealth from market swings, inflation, and the unexpected.
Real Estate
And Legacy
Planning
A plan for your assets and property that preserves your legacy and supports your loved ones.
Planning With Fullerton
Relationship Building
You’re not just another account. At Fullerton, every relationship begins with real conversation — taking time to understand your values, priorities, and goals. That connection becomes the foundation for a plan that’s built around you, not a formula.
Personalized Experience
No two retirements are the same. Your strategy will reflect your unique goals, lifestyle, and financial position. Everything is tailor-made: your income structured, your tax plan, and the preservation of legacy. The difference in the details — because it is built around you.
Holistic Approach
A good plan looks beyond the numbers. Your lifestyle, your family, your values — it’s all connected. That’s why our planning process considers every part of your life, not just your portfolio — leaving no stone unturned.
See What Fullerton Can Do For You
Going from "I hope this works" to "I know I'm covered".
Experience You Can Trust
Retirement is too important to trust to a generalist. That’s why for over 20 years, Fullerton Financial Planning has focused exclusively on helping people transition from work to retirement — and thrive throughout it. We’re not trying to be everything to everyone. We’re built to help you do one thing incredibly well: Turn your life savings into reliable income and lasting financial confidence.
Why Families Across Arizona Trust Fullerton
- Over 20 years helping Arizona retirees create income that lasts
- Trusted by more than 2,000 Arizona households — and growing
- Independent, fiduciary-based advice — no quotas, no product push
- Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) professionals on staff
- Regularly featured on ABC15, MoneyRadio, and financial education outlets
- Local, in-person service — no national call centers or rotating advisor teams
- Planning approach integrates investments, income, tax, Medicare, and legacy goals
- Collaborative relationships with CPAs, estate attorneys, and insurance professionals
- Focused on education-first guidance, not sales pitches or one-size-fits-all plans
- Supported by a dedicated client service team with a reputation for proactive care
“I was nervous about retiring — but they helped me see the whole picture and gave me confidence to move forward.”
— Mary J., Scottsdale
“They made a complicated plan feel simple. I wish we’d come here five years earlier.”
— Brian & Sandra T., Mesa
“They treated me like a person, not a portfolio. I never felt pressured — just supported.”
— Teresa D., Chandler
“Our old advisor never talked about income or taxes — this team gave us a plan we could actually live on.”
— Kevin M., Sun City
The Fullerton Family
Standing Strong For Clients.
Stepping Up For the Community.
Leverage Our Experience
Retirement is our focus. See what over 20 years helping retiring clients can do for your future.
Still Wondering If This Is Right for You?
Here are some of the questions we hear most often — with straight answers to help you move forward confidently.
Q: How do I make sure I have enough to retire?
Q: How do I make sure I don’t run out of money later in retirement?
Q: What’s the best way to retire and not have to give up my lifestyle or be afraid of my budget?
Q: Why do I need more guaranteed income than just Social Security?
Q: How do I protect myself from future market downturns or crashes?
Q: When is the right time to retire?
The right time to retire is when you have a plan that works no matter what the economy is doing — one that protects your income, reduces your tax exposure, and supports your lifestyle with confidence.
We help you build that plan — so retirement becomes a decision based on your goals, not guesswork.
Q: How do I avoid being forced to go back to work or worse?
Q: How can annuities fit into my income plan?
Q: My current financial advisor still has me in risky investments. It feels wrong to me now that I’m older — but am I just worrying too much?
Q: I plan to retire in the next 10 years. Is it too early to begin planning?
Q: I want to retire sooner than 10 years… Am I too late to plan?
Q: How do I make sure my spouse is taken care of if I pass first?
Q: What changes to my investment strategy should I expect when transitioning to retirement?
Q: What does the Retirement Review cost?
Begin the Conversation
We’re here to listen, understand, and help you take control of your financial future.