Follow Your Social Security Signs | Own Your Retirement Ep 61 скачать в хорошем качестве

Follow Your Social Security Signs | Own Your Retirement Ep 61

When should you claim Social Security? It’s one of the most important retirement decisions you’ll make, yet many people file without fully understanding how it fits into their bigger financial picture. In this episode, Albert Lalonde and Tony Shore break down three key signs that you may be ready to start collecting benefits, including how understanding your retirement spending needs, evaluating the income your savings can generate, and considering the long-term impact on your spouse can help guide your decision. They also discuss new insights for 2026, including how the maximum Social Security benefit now exceeds $5,200 per month and the three steps required to potentially reach that level. Along the way, Albert explains why Social Security should never be viewed in isolation and how coordinating it with your broader retirement income strategy can help you make more confident decisions about the road ahead. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to the show and Social Security topic 01:13 - Tony’s birthday and Albert’s upcoming birthday 03:51 - Why Social Security strategies are so important in retirement 04:17 - Sign #1: Understanding your retirement spending needs 05:10 - Creating a realistic retirement spending plan 06:06 - Lifestyle expenses and the true cost of retirement 07:24 - How clarity about spending helps guide claiming decisions 07:56 - Sign #2: Understanding how your savings translate into income 08:21 - Why account balance isn’t the most important number 09:27 - Example of filling an income gap with Social Security 10:36 - Coordinating Social Security with retirement savings 11:26 - How to get a Social Security maximization report 12:42 - Sign #3: Understanding the impact on your spouse 13:22 - Survivor benefits and planning for your spouse 13:57 - The “widow’s penalty” explained 15:29 - New article: How to maximize Social Security benefits in 2026 15:44 - The new maximum Social Security benefit in 2026 17:27 - Step 1: Work at least 35 years 18:28 - Why working longer can increase your benefit 19:26 - Step 2: Earn the taxable maximum during your working years 20:53 - How increasing income can raise your future benefits 21:58 - Step 3: Waiting until age 70 for maximum benefits 22:45 - Why delaying isn’t always the best strategy 23:20 - Practical ways to improve your Social Security outcome 23:48 - Why Social Security is only one part of retirement planning 24:30 - The value of professional guidance when claiming benefits 25:35 - Final thoughts and how to contact Albert 📞 Have questions? Need advice? Contact Albert Lalonde at Kaizen Financial Group to set up a consultation today! 👉 Call us at 586-752-7008 👉 Visit us at kaizenfinancialinc.com Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more financial tips and insights! Let us know your thoughts on the topics discussed or give us any feedback to make the future episodes better! #FinancialPlanning #RetirementPlanning #WealthManagement #EstatePlanning #LegacyPlanning #FinancialAdvice #FinancialEducation #MoneyManagement #InvestmentStrategies #Trusts #Wills #Probate #FinancialAdvisor #Retirement #Taxes #Inheritance #IRA #LifeInsurance #FamilyLegacy #FinancialSecurity #FuturePlanning #retirement #retirementplanning #SocialSecurity #michigan #detroit #shelbytownship #KaizenFinancialInc #AlbertLalonde #OwnYourRetirement #TaxPlanning #TaxCutsAndJobsAct