For many FERS employees in their late 50s and early 60s, claiming Social Security at 62 feels like the "safe" move. You get your check, you lock something in, and you worry less about rule changes. But if you're a federal employee with a pension, TSP, and possibly the FERS supplement, that decision doesn't just shrink your own benefit. It can quietly reduce your spouse's future income, shrink your tax‑planning window, and limit what you can safely do with your TSP in retirement.

In this episode of Confident Federal Retirement, Tom Poltersdorf, CFP®, breaks down why generic "always claim at 62" or "always wait until 70" advice often fails federal employees. You'll learn the three levers that actually matter for FERS and Social Security decisions, when claiming at 62 does make sense, and how delaying can sometimes be one of the most powerful gifts you leave your spouse. Tom also walks through a critical tax window most federal retirees completely miss when they start Social Security too early.

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