Avoid these common Social Security mistakes—and make the most of your retirement benefits
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Planning for Social Security isn’t always straightforward.
With so many rules, timelines, and trade-offs, it can be hard to know where to begin—or how to avoid costly missteps.
Many older adults find themselves overwhelmed by the process and unsure if they’re making the right decisions.
But when it comes to retirement income, a few small mistakes can add up over time.
The good news? A little awareness and preparation can go a long way in helping you protect what you’ve earned.
Here are seven common Social Security mistakes—and how to steer clear of them.
Social Security decisions can be confusing, especially when it comes to figuring out the best time to file or how to coordinate with other retirement income.
Many people assume they can navigate it on their own, but even experienced financial planners often rely on specialized tools to weigh the options.
“Most people have no idea how to optimize their Social Security income,” says Nick Cantrell of Green Future Wealth Management.
If you feel unsure, talking to a financial advisor can help you understand your choices and plan with more confidence.
Think of it as a small investment in a more secure future.
Your life expectancy at 62 is likely much higher than it was at birth—which means your retirement savings and benefits may need to stretch for decades.
Planning with longevity in mind is essential.
Online tools like LongevityIllustrator.org or the Social Security Administration’s own calculator can give you a better sense of how long you might live.
That information can help you decide whether it’s better to file early, wait for full retirement age, or delay even longer.
The more you know, the better you can plan for the long haul.
If you're married, your Social Security choices could affect your partner—especially if you’re the higher earner.
In many cases, delaying your own benefits increases the amount your spouse may receive, particularly if you pass away first.
“It’s about the both of you, and most importantly, about the widow or widower,” says Jeremy Keil of Keil Financial Partners.
That’s why it’s important to look at the bigger picture and have open conversations with your spouse about your long-term goals.
While delaying benefits can mean higher monthly payments, it’s not always the right move for everyone.
Health issues, personal needs, or work plans may all influence your decision.
For example, someone in poor health may benefit more from filing early, while someone who’s healthy and still working might gain more by waiting.
The key is to consider all your retirement resources and make a decision that fits your lifestyle, not just the charts.
Your Social Security statement is more than just paperwork—it’s a record of your earnings and the foundation for your future benefits.
Mistakes on this document can lead to inaccurate payments later on.
It’s also a good way to protect yourself from fraud or identity theft, which have become more common in recent years.
If something doesn’t look right, contact the Social Security Administration right away. Staying informed now can prevent bigger problems later.
Every year, Social Security benefits are adjusted to keep pace with inflation.
These annual increases, known as cost-of-living adjustments (COLA), can significantly impact your total retirement income over time.
“COLA additions to Social Security income benefits are an extremely powerful retirement income feature,” says Cantrell.
Keeping this in mind when deciding when to file can help you make a more informed decision.
Social Security planning shouldn’t wait until the last minute. Ideally, you should begin thinking about your strategy in your early 50s, as your choices can influence other aspects of your retirement plan.
Keil recommends the following steps to get started:
Your Social Security decision is one of the most important choices you'll make for your retirement.
By learning from common mistakes and planning ahead, you can feel more confident and better prepared.
A little time spent now could mean thousands more in lifetime benefits.
Read next: Social Security adjustment could hit 2.5% in 2026: Here’s what that means
Have you started thinking about your Social Security strategy? What’s been the most confusing part so far? Share your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear what’s on your mind.
With so many rules, timelines, and trade-offs, it can be hard to know where to begin—or how to avoid costly missteps.
Many older adults find themselves overwhelmed by the process and unsure if they’re making the right decisions.
But when it comes to retirement income, a few small mistakes can add up over time.
The good news? A little awareness and preparation can go a long way in helping you protect what you’ve earned.
Here are seven common Social Security mistakes—and how to steer clear of them.
Planning ahead for Social Security can help you avoid common mistakes and make the most of your retirement benefits. Image Source: YouTube / CBS News.
1. Not seeking professional advice
Social Security decisions can be confusing, especially when it comes to figuring out the best time to file or how to coordinate with other retirement income.
Many people assume they can navigate it on their own, but even experienced financial planners often rely on specialized tools to weigh the options.
“Most people have no idea how to optimize their Social Security income,” says Nick Cantrell of Green Future Wealth Management.
If you feel unsure, talking to a financial advisor can help you understand your choices and plan with more confidence.
Think of it as a small investment in a more secure future.
2. Overlooking your life expectancy
Your life expectancy at 62 is likely much higher than it was at birth—which means your retirement savings and benefits may need to stretch for decades.
Planning with longevity in mind is essential.
Online tools like LongevityIllustrator.org or the Social Security Administration’s own calculator can give you a better sense of how long you might live.
That information can help you decide whether it’s better to file early, wait for full retirement age, or delay even longer.
The more you know, the better you can plan for the long haul.
Also read: The $5,108 Social Security check: who qualifies and how?
3. Misunderstanding spousal benefits
If you're married, your Social Security choices could affect your partner—especially if you’re the higher earner.
In many cases, delaying your own benefits increases the amount your spouse may receive, particularly if you pass away first.
“It’s about the both of you, and most importantly, about the widow or widower,” says Jeremy Keil of Keil Financial Partners.
That’s why it’s important to look at the bigger picture and have open conversations with your spouse about your long-term goals.
4. Focusing too narrowly on monthly payouts
While delaying benefits can mean higher monthly payments, it’s not always the right move for everyone.
Health issues, personal needs, or work plans may all influence your decision.
For example, someone in poor health may benefit more from filing early, while someone who’s healthy and still working might gain more by waiting.
The key is to consider all your retirement resources and make a decision that fits your lifestyle, not just the charts.
Also read: A wave of early Social Security claims—Here’s what’s behind it
5. Ignoring your Social Security statements
Your Social Security statement is more than just paperwork—it’s a record of your earnings and the foundation for your future benefits.
Mistakes on this document can lead to inaccurate payments later on.
It’s also a good way to protect yourself from fraud or identity theft, which have become more common in recent years.
If something doesn’t look right, contact the Social Security Administration right away. Staying informed now can prevent bigger problems later.
Also read: Could your Social Security benefits increase? Here’s the latest from Congress
6. Forgetting about cost-of-living adjustments (COLA)
Every year, Social Security benefits are adjusted to keep pace with inflation.
These annual increases, known as cost-of-living adjustments (COLA), can significantly impact your total retirement income over time.
“COLA additions to Social Security income benefits are an extremely powerful retirement income feature,” says Cantrell.
Keeping this in mind when deciding when to file can help you make a more informed decision.
Also read: Social Security garnishments are rising—Here’s how to protect your benefits
7. Waiting too long to start planning
Social Security planning shouldn’t wait until the last minute. Ideally, you should begin thinking about your strategy in your early 50s, as your choices can influence other aspects of your retirement plan.
Keil recommends the following steps to get started:
- Estimate your longevity. Use tools to see how long you’re likely to live.
- Think as a couple. If you’re married, plan with joint longevity in mind.
- Play the odds. If you want a larger monthly benefit, delay the higher one. If you need funds sooner, start with the lower benefit.
Your Social Security decision is one of the most important choices you'll make for your retirement.
By learning from common mistakes and planning ahead, you can feel more confident and better prepared.
A little time spent now could mean thousands more in lifetime benefits.
Read next: Social Security adjustment could hit 2.5% in 2026: Here’s what that means
Have you started thinking about your Social Security strategy? What’s been the most confusing part so far? Share your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear what’s on your mind.
