More Fiscally Conservative Yet Simultaneously More Freeing This week’s article tells a story we are all too familiar with: “Approaching retirement at age 65, John and Jill Smith realized their monthly income from Social Security and pensions total $700 less than their fixed expenses. They have savings to fill the gap, but worry that their nest egg may not be sufficient to cover both their fixed expenses and their annual travel plans — especially if they are fortunate enough to enjoy a long retirement. Prudent investors often tackle this problem by becoming ultra conservative with their money. They commit to

This week’s article points out that “Social Security payments are one of the biggest assets that most people have,” and “how you handle that income has an important impact on an overall plan.” A “critical move” that is highlighted is not only to know your full retirement age and to weigh the advantages of delaying your Social Security benefits, but to “coordinate the timing of benefit claims with your spouse.” A law “phases out a strategy known as restricting an application for spousal benefits, which could boost a couple’s total payout by tens of thousands of dollars.” Call us if