Early Retirement - Financial Freedom (Investing, Tax Planning, Retirement Strategy, Personal Finance)

Here's How To Plan For Social Security If You Retire Early

6 snips

Jul 14, 2025

Many people put off retirement to maximize their Social Security benefits, missing out on precious years of freedom. A more holistic approach involves accessing your portfolio early while allowing Social Security to grow. Personalized financial guidance is crucial in navigating this landscape, ensuring you align retirement plans with your lifestyle and health needs. The discussion also emphasizes the importance of clear communication regarding both financial and healthcare decisions to make truly informed retirement choices.

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ADVICE

Avoid Working Just to Max Social Security

Don't delay retirement just to max out Social Security benefits by working extra years.
Prioritize your freedom and vitality over a small increase in monthly Social Security checks.

INSIGHT

Social Security Calculation Reality

Social Security benefits are based on your 35 highest earning years but zero-income years are counted as zero.
Working a few more years may only increase your benefit by a modest amount, often not worth the lost retirement time.

ADVICE

Spend Portfolio Early, Delay Social Security

Spend more from your portfolio early when you have energy and health, before Social Security starts.
Let Social Security grow in the background to reduce portfolio withdrawals later in life.

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Too many people delay retirement just to boost their Social Security benefits, often at the cost of time, energy, and joy. But at Root, we believe retirement planning should be about more than just maximizing one metric. It should be about maximizing your life.

If you're working extra years simply to avoid gaps in your earnings history or to earn a slightly higher monthly benefit, it's worth rethinking the bigger picture. In many cases, the trade-off isn't worth the lost years of freedom and vitality.

A more holistic strategy might involve intentionally drawing from your portfolio early—when you're healthy and active—while allowing Social Security to grow in the background. And for those pursuing tax planning strategies like Roth conversions, delaying benefits can actually create opportunities for long-term savings.

The bottom line? Don’t let Social Security be the sole driver of your retirement timeline. Check your earnings record, run the numbers, and build a plan that aligns with your goals, health, and lifestyle. At Root, we help clients retire with confidence, not just by the numbers, but by what matters most.

Advisory services are offered through Root Financial Partners, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. This content is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Viewing this content does not create an advisory relationship. We do not provide tax preparation or legal services. Always consult an investment, tax or legal professional regarding your specific situation.

The strategies, case studies, and examples discussed may not be suitable for everyone. They are hypothetical and for illustrative and educational purposes only. They do not reflect actual client results and are not guarantees of future performance. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal.

Comments reflect the views of individual users and do not necessarily represent the views of Root Financial. They are not verified, may not be accurate, and should not be considered testimonials or endorsements

Participation in the Retirement Planning Academy or Early Retirement Academy does not create an advisory relationship with Root Financial. These programs are educational in nature and are not a substitute for personalized financial advice. Advisory services are offered only under a written agreement with Root Financial.

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Ari Taublieb, CFP ®, MBA is the Chief Growth Officer of Root Financial Partners and a Fiduciary Financial Planner specializing in helping clients retire early with confidence.