The NARSSA Team
January 8, 2026 Planning
Deciding when to claim Social Security is one of the most important financial decisions many people make in retirement. It is also one of the most confusing. With a complex web of rules, age-based adjustments, and family considerations, it is easy to make a choice that feels right in the moment but leads to a permanently lower benefit.
Many common claiming mistakes are avoidable once you understand where people tend to go wrong. Below are five pitfalls that come up often, along with practical guidance to help you make a more informed decision.
Mistake #1: Claiming Early Without Understanding the Permanent Reduction
Many people claim benefits as soon as they become eligible at age 62 because it feels like the safest or most obvious choice. What often gets missed is how permanent that decision can be. Claiming before full retirement age results in a reduced monthly benefit, often by as much as 25% to 30%, depending on your birth year.
That reduction continues for the rest of your life.
How to avoid it: Before claiming early, consider how long you may rely on Social Security and whether you have other income sources available. Weighing a smaller check now against a larger one later can help clarify whether claiming early truly fits your situation.
Mistake #2: Overlooking How Claiming Affects a Spouse or Survivor
It is common to focus only on your own benefit amount. However, Social Security is often a family benefit, and your claiming decision can affect someone else.
If you pass away first, your surviving spouse may receive your benefit amount. Claiming early could leave them with a smaller monthly income for the rest of their life.
How to avoid it: If you are married, divorced after a long marriage, or widowed, consider the long-term household impact. In some cases, the decision is less about maximizing one check and more about protecting the survivor.
Mistake #3: Assuming Full Retirement Age Is the Best Choice
Full retirement age (FRA) is often described as the normal time to claim Social Security. That leads many people to assume it must be the best option. In reality, it is simply a reference point used to calculate benefit reductions and delayed credits.
For some, delaying benefits beyond Full retirement age can increase monthly income. For others, claiming earlier or right at that age may make more sense due to health or financial priorities.
How to avoid it: Rather than treating Full retirement age as a default, view it as one option among many. The goal is not to pick the right age for everyone, but the right age for your situation.
Mistake #4: Ignoring the Earnings Limit Before Full Retirement Age
Some people claim Social Security and continue working, only to be surprised when their benefits are temporarily reduced because their earnings exceed annual limits. This most often affects those who claim before reaching full retirement age and plan to work part time.
Although withheld benefits are not lost forever, the reduction can create short-term cash flow issues.
How to avoid it: If you plan to work while collecting Social Security, make sure you understand how the earnings limit works and when it applies. Aligning your claiming decision with your work plans can help prevent surprises.
Mistake #5: Making a Decision Without Reviewing All Available Options
Social Security offers several types of benefits, including retirement, spousal, and survivor benefits. In some situations, a person may be eligible for more than one. A common mistake is assuming the first benefit you qualify for is automatically the best choice.
Claiming age, marital history, work plans, health considerations, and life expectancy can all affect the outcome. Without reviewing how these pieces fit together, people may miss opportunities to improve long-term benefits.
How to avoid it: Rather than making a decision based on age alone, consider having your options reviewed as a complete picture. A knowledgeable professional can help analyze different claiming scenarios and identify an approach that fits your circumstances. Even if the review confirms your original plan, knowing why it works for your situation can help you move forward with confidence.
The Bottom Line
Social Security decisions are permanent, and even small missteps can follow you for decades. While there is no single best claiming strategy for everyone, understanding common mistakes can help you make a more confident choice.
Taking time to review how different options play out before you file can help ensure your decision reflects your goals and circumstances.
Photo by Randy Laybourne on Unsplash
This article is the property of the National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts Ltd. (NARSSA). It may not be reproduced, republished, or adapted without express permission. Approved RSSAs may request permission to share or adapt this article by contacting pkweller@rssa.com.
