Kiplinger\'s Personal Finance 03.2020

RETIREMENT

A

s you approach retirement, figuring out when and how to

claim Social Security benefits looms as one of the most

important tasks on your to-do list. Choosing the right

time and best strategy could significantly boost your

income—and the stakes are particularly high for couples.

Judging by the amount of mail we get on this topic, many retirees and

preretirees are grappling with the complexity of their choices. Here

we’ve answered several common reader questions. The best decisions

for you depend on your own circumstances, but knowing the basics

will help you choose the right options.

54 KIPLINGER’S PERSONAL FINANCE^ 03/2020 ILLUSTRATIONS BY DAN PAGE

Yo u r S o cial

Security

Questions

Answered

Selecting the right strategy will pay off

for years to come. BY LISA GERSTNER