Social Security Optimization

Claim at the right time for your situation, not the default.

Social Security is one of the most valuable assets most retirees own, and one of the easiest to get wrong. The age you claim, how it coordinates with a spouse, and how it interacts with your taxes can change your lifetime benefit by a significant amount. We help you make the decision deliberately, as part of your whole plan.

What Is Social Security Optimization.

It is the analysis of when and how to claim your benefits to get the most value over your lifetime. Claiming early, at full retirement age, or at 70 each produces a very different result, and the best choice depends on your health, your other income, your spouse, and your tax situation. Optimization means choosing on purpose, not by default.

Decisions that make this urgent

You are between 60 and 70 and deciding when to claim.

You are married and need to coordinate two benefits for the best combined result.

III

You are widowed or divorced and may have survivor or spousal options you do not know about.

You are still working and unsure how that affects your benefit.

How this fits The Legacy Blueprint

Your claiming decision shapes both the Keep and Grow pillars. It affects how much taxable income you have, how much you draw from your savings, and how secure your income floor is. We model it in Phase 2 alongside your income and tax plans, because the right claiming age is the one that fits the whole picture.

What we analyze

Your benefit at different claiming ages and the breakeven between them.
Spousal, survivor, and divorced-spouse strategies where they apply.
How claiming interacts with your taxes and Medicare premiums.
How your decision affects withdrawals from your other accounts.

Our approach

We run the numbers for your specific household and show you the tradeoffs in plain terms.

Because we are a fiduciary and do not earn anything from your claiming choice, our only goal is the strategy that serves you best across your lifetime, coordinated with the rest of your plan.

Why a fiduciary approach matters here

There is no product to sell with Social Security, which is exactly why it is so often ignored or rushed. A fiduciary gives it the attention it deserves and integrates it into your full plan rather than treating it as an afterthought.

If you’re approaching retirement with substantial savings, you already know this isn’t just about investment return. It’s about clarity, control and making smart, coordinated decisions across your entire financial life.

Related services

Your plan is coordinated, so this service rarely works alone. It connects most closely with:

Retirement Income Planning

Replace business income with a paycheck.

Tax Planning

Your highest-leverage years are often right now.

Healthcare Planning

Medicare, surcharges, and long-term care.

Social Security FAQ

Should I claim early or wait until 70?

Waiting increases your monthly benefit, but the right choice depends on your health, your need for income now, your spouse, and your taxes. We model your specific breakeven so the decision is informed, not a guess.

How does claiming affect my taxes?

A portion of your benefit can be taxable depending on your other income, and it can also influence your Medicare premiums. We coordinate the claiming decision with your tax plan to manage both.

My spouse and I both have benefits. Does the order matter?

Often it does. Coordinating two benefits, including survivor considerations, can meaningfully change the combined lifetime result for a married couple.

Can I change my mind after I claim?

There are limited windows and rules around withdrawing or suspending a claim. It is far better to get the decision right the first time, which is what the analysis is for.

What happens to my spouse's benefit if I pass away first?

A surviving spouse generally keeps the larger of the two benefits, which is why the higher earner’s claiming decision matters so much for couples. We factor survivor benefits into the strategy so the plan protects whoever lives longer.

Does it still make sense to plan around Social Security if I have significant savings?

Yes. Even for households with substantial assets, the claiming decision affects lifetime taxes, Medicare premiums, and how much you need to draw from your portfolio. It is one input in a coordinated plan, not a standalone choice.

Find your optimal claiming age

Your free assessment can include a look at your Social Security options. About 15 minutes, no cost, no obligation.

Prefer to talk first?

Disclosures: Investment advisory services are offered through Kraus Capital, a registered investment adviser. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Kraus Capital and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure.

Brian Kraus is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. The CFP® marks are owned by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. and are used in accordance with CFP Board guidelines.

Charles Schwab serves as the independent custodian for client assets. Kraus Capital is not affiliated with, and does not receive compensation from, Charles Schwab for custodial services. No strategy assures success or protects against loss. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

See our Privacy Policy and Form CRS for more information. These documents are provided by our compliance vendor.