You've likely heard the advice: wait until age 70 to claim Social Security for the biggest check and safest retirement. But is that really the best choice for CRNAs?

In this episode, Brett Fellows, CFP®, dives into the overlooked risks of delaying Social Security, proving the decision is far more personal than a break-even chart suggests. It's about maximizing dollars yes, but it’s also about your freedom, health, and peace of mind in retirement.

In this episode, Brett explores the overlooked risks of delaying Social Security:

• Mortality Risk: What if you pass away before the break-even point?
• Sequence of Returns Risk: How delaying can magnify portfolio damage during a market downturn.
• Policy Risk: The chance of future benefit cuts or changes to taxation.
• Opportunity Risk: The potential returns your portfolio could have earned while waiting.
• Regret Risk: The emotional cost of waiting too long and giving up healthy retirement years.
• Health Span Risk: Why a dollar at 62 often buys richer memories than a dollar at 95.
• Spending Flexibility/Optionality Risk: Why preserving a flexible portfolio might be more valuable than a maximized Social Security check.

Key Timestamps:
(0:45) The 7 overlooked risks of delaying Social Security 
(2:01) Mortality Risk: What if you die before the break-even? 
(4:55) Sequence of Returns Risk: The danger of market downturns in early retirement 
(6:42) Policy Risk: Are future cuts a concern? 
(7:50) Opportunity Risk: The true cost of delaying 
(9:58) Regret Risk: Why emotions matter more than math 
(11:55) Health Span Risk: Living well, not just living long 
(13:59) Spending Flexibility Risk: The value of optionality 
(15:45) Underspending Risk: Why claiming early helps you enjoy your healthiest years 
(18:20) Real-world examples: Why claiming early made sense for Mark and Jen

For more information and resources related to this episode, please visit the show notes.