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The Blueprint For Social Security Timing (2026)

This guide covers the different Social Security options and is designed to explain how Social Security benefits work, how they are calculated, and how Social Security may factor into your retirement strategy.

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Registered Representative of Sanctuary Securities Inc. and Investment Advisor Representative of Sanctuary Advisors, LLC. Securities offered through Sanctuary Securities, Inc., Member FINRA, SIPC. Advisory services offered through Sanctuary Advisors, LLC., a SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Theorem Wealth Management is a DBA of Sanctuary Securities, Inc. and Sanctuary Advisors, LLC.

Your Guide To Social Security Timing

Key Strategies Covered Inside This Guide

When to take Social Security

When is the optimal time for you to take social security?

Common Pitfalls

What mistakes do retirees make?

Social Security Decision Checklist

What should I have checked off before deciding when to take social security

WHAT'S INSIDE

What You Will Learn Inside

A step-by-step breakdown of the strategies covered in this guide

CH. 01

WHAT IS SOCIAL SECURITY?

Learn what social security is, and why it is important.

CH. 02

QUICK START CHEAT SHEET

Understand the basics of social security.

CH. 03

DECISION FLOWCHART: WHEN SHOULD YOU CLAIM

Follow key decisions to decide when to take social security.

CH. 04

DECISION FLOWCHART EXPLAINED

Explanations of key decisions.

CH. 08

IS A LUMP-SUM SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENT RIGHT FOR YOU?

What is a lump-sum social security payment, and why is it used?

CH. 09

A BETTER TAX STRATEGY FOR SOCIAL SECURITY

Learn how taxes effect your retirement plan.

WHO THIS IS FOR

This Guide Is Written For You If…

You are within 1-2 years of taking social security

You are unsure when to take social security

Has multiple income sources (401k, IRA, pension, brokerage)

Concerned about maximizing lifetime benefits or avoiding mistakes

Married, divorced, or widowed (spousal/survivor strategies apply)

Worried about taxes on Social Security benefits or how it interacts with other income (e.g., IRMAA, Roth conversions)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Written By the Team Behind Theorem Wealth

Theorem Wealth Management was founded on a simple premise: that the decisions made in the five years before and after retirement matter more than almost anything that comes before them. Our advisors have spent years working with clients navigating exactly this transition and this guide distils what we’ve learned into a framework you can apply to your own plan.

Fee-only fiduciary wealth management

Specialising in retirement transition planning

CFP® professionals with 20+ years combined experience

Published research in retirement income sequencing

Ready to Read the Full Guide?

Get your copy of the Theorem Retirement Timing Guide and discover the five strategies that can protect your wealth in the critical decade before and after retirement.

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The Blueprint For Social Security Timing (2026)

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Frequently Asked Questions

The right time depends on your health, income needs, and long-term goals, claiming early (62) reduces your benefit, while delaying until 70 can increase it by up to ~8% per year.

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Your benefit is based on your highest 35 years of earnings, adjusted for inflation, and the age at which you choose to claim.

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Yes, depending on your total income, up to 85% of your benefits may be taxable at the federal level.

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Yes, but if you claim before full retirement age, your benefits may be temporarily reduced if you earn above certain limits.

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