"I've been earning $200,000 or more a year for most of my career. Social Security is going to be a drop in the bucket." If that's what you're thinking, you could be leaving hundreds of thousands of dollars on the table.

In this episode, Brett Fellows walks through nine critical Social Security strategies specifically for high-earning CRNAs and nurse practitioners. Using a real-world example of David and Sarah, both age 62 CRNAs with $1.8 million saved, he explains how to maximize lifetime benefits while minimizing taxes.

Brett Covers:

• Know your full retirement age and how early claiming permanently reduces benefits
• Understand why delaying gives you a guaranteed 8% annual return (worth $216,000 over 20 years)
• Maximize Your 35-Year Calculation
• Coordinate spousal benefits strategically when one spouse earns significantly more
• Use the bridge strategy to retire early while delaying Social Security to 70
• Don't forget survivor benefits (delaying can mean $162,000 more for your surviving spouse)
• Watch out for IRMAA surcharges that could cost $10,000+ per year in Medicare premiums
• Consider Roth conversions and QCDs during your low-income "gap years"
• Understand the earnings test if you plan to work while claiming early

Whether you're planning to retire at 62, 65, or 70, this episode shows you how to turn Social Security from an afterthought into a strategic anchor for your retirement income.

#CRNAs #NursePractitioners #SocialSecurity #RetirementPlanning #FinancialPlanning #MoneyRx

Key Timestamps:

(0:18) Welcome to Money RX: Social Security for High-Earning CRNAs and NPs

(1:28) Case Study: David and Sarah’s $200,000 Income Strategy

(2:44) #1: Know Your Full Retirement Age

(3:51) #2: Why Delaying Pays Off (The Guaranteed 8% Return)

(4:17) #3: Maximize Your 35-Year Calculation

(7:11) #4: Coordinate Spousal Benefits Strategically

(8:13) #5: Use the Bridge Strategy

(9:33) #6: Do Not Forget Survivor Benefits

(11:01) #7: Watch Out for IRMAA Surcharges

(12:16) #8: Consider Roth Conversions and QCDs

(14:09) #9: Understand the Earnings Test

(15:18) Summary: How a Strategy Adds Hundreds of Thousands in Value 

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