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Social Security Strategies: Maximizing Your Benefits
Trivia: What unusual item did NASA once use to help develop the spacesuit gloves used on the Apollo missions?
RetireHub
May 05, 2025
Rise and shine, RetireHub community! ☀️ Your Monday newsletter is here!
Today, we’re sharing smart tips on social security strategies and maximizing your benefits, along with the best deals, fun trivia, and more!
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What We’re Reading
Get these e-book deals before they’re gone.
 | By: Elliot York Detective Logan Cooper, 39, is barely holding onto his career when a haunting new case reopens wounds from his past. The victim? Becca—his first love who supposedly died by suicide at 18. Now, she's somehow at the center of a new murder investigation. Teamed with a reluctant new partner, Reggie Hawkins, Logan dives into a case full of secrets, where the lines between reality and the impossible start to blur. As the evidence piles up, Logan must confront both the mystery before him and the emotional ghosts he thought he’d buried long ago. |
Social Security Strategies: Maximizing Your Benefits
When it comes to retirement, Social Security is more than just a monthly check—it’s a cornerstone of income planning for millions of seniors. Understanding how to strategically claim your benefits can significantly impact your financial comfort in your golden years.
Timing Is Everything
One of the biggest decisions is when to start claiming benefits. While you can begin as early as age 62, doing so permanently reduces your monthly payments. Full retirement age (FRA)—which varies based on your birth year—is typically around 66 or 67. Waiting until age 70 maximizes your benefits, with an increase of roughly 8% for each year past FRA that you delay. If you're in good health and have other sources of income, waiting can offer a valuable financial boost.
Consider Your Work Plans
If you plan to continue working while receiving Social Security, keep in mind that earning above a certain threshold before your FRA can temporarily reduce your benefits. However, these reductions are not lost forever—once you reach full retirement age, Social Security recalculates your benefit and increases your monthly payments to account for the withheld amounts.
Spousal and Survivor Benefits
Married couples have additional options. A lower-earning spouse can claim up to 50% of the higher-earning spouse’s benefit, which can be advantageous if one partner didn’t work or earned significantly less. Widowed spouses may also qualify for survivor benefits, allowing them to collect up to 100% of their late spouse’s benefit. In some cases, it may be worth delaying your own benefit while taking a spousal or survivor benefit first.
Account for Taxes
Many seniors are surprised to learn that Social Security benefits can be taxed. If your combined income (including Social Security, pensions, investments, etc.) exceeds certain limits, up to 85% of your benefits may be taxable. Understanding how your total income impacts your taxes can help you structure withdrawals from other retirement accounts more effectively.
Seek Personalized Advice
Social Security rules can be complex and are influenced by your personal circumstances. It’s often wise to consult with a financial advisor or use online calculators to compare different claiming strategies. What works best for one person may not be right for another.
With a little planning and smart timing, you can make the most of what you’ve earned and enjoy greater financial confidence in retirement.
What’s your Social Security game plan? |
Yesterday’s Poll Results: Have you ever taken an art class or explored a creative hobby in a group setting?
Creativity is clearly in full bloom! 🎨 A strong majority of readers say they’ve loved taking art classes or exploring group hobbies, embracing both the social spark and creative flow. But there’s also plenty of appreciation for solo time and personal expression—whether through paint, photography, or music. Whether you’re crafting in a class or finding your muse at home, it’s all about making space for joy and self-expression! 🖌️✨
TOP COMMENTS
“The last art class I took was in high school, which I was good in. I'm more into photography these days.”
“I took a cake decorating class and a sewing class many years ago. It was fun. I should do it now!”
“Before moving to another state, was a very active member of Woolmarket Prime Life Center for 6 years. Activities for all levels from ceramics, paintings, crafts, wreath making, cards and bingo. Great friendship for life, sure miss them all”
Senior Living News
Embracing Natural Paths to Pain Relief
Chronic pain doesn't have to dictate your daily life. Many individuals are discovering the benefits of natural remedies to manage discomfort and enhance well-being. From incorporating anti-inflammatory foods and engaging in gentle exercises to exploring holistic therapies like acupuncture and mindfulness practices, there are numerous ways to alleviate pain without relying solely on medication. These approaches not only address physical symptoms but also promote overall health and resilience. By embracing natural pain relief methods, you can take proactive steps toward a more comfortable and active lifestyle.
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Slang Phrase of the Day
Phrase: Ship
Meaning: To support the romantic relationship between two people.
In a sentence: "I totally ship those two characters from the mystery book club—it's like watching a slow-burn romance unfold at every meeting!"
Good News of the Day
Conductor Regains Baton Control with Innovative Brain Therapy
After years of battling Parkinson’s tremors, Ohio conductor Rand Laycock is back leading his orchestra, thanks to a groundbreaking adaptive deep brain stimulation device. This "brain pacemaker" adjusts in real-time to his neural activity, significantly reducing symptoms and allowing him to focus on his passion for music. Laycock's journey highlights the transformative potential of advanced medical technology in restoring not just movement, but also life's rhythm.
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RetireHub Trivia
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What unusual item did NASA once use to help develop the spacesuit gloves used on the Apollo missions? |
Which U.S. state has more ghost towns than any other? |
What’s the only mammal capable of sustained flight? |
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