Are You Leaving Social Security Benefits on the Table?
Social Security is a critical income source for millions of Americans, including disabled children and widows of social security recipients—but most people don’t realize how much money they may be leaving behind. The timing of your claim plays a big role in how much you’ll receive for life. Claiming too early can permanently reduce your monthly benefit, while delaying just a few years can significantly increase your income.
The program is complicated—factors like your earnings history, spousal benefits, survivor benefits, and coordination with pensions or annuities all come into play. That’s why working with a Social Security expert can make all the difference.
At Diversified Insurance Brokers, we offer personalized Social Security assessments to help you determine the best filing strategy for your situation. Our specialists—including former Social Security employees—will walk you through every option so you can make informed, confident choices.
👉 Visit our Social Security page here
Schedule Your Social Security Review
Get personalized guidance on claiming age, spousal/survivor benefits, the earnings test, taxes, and how Medicare timing fits in.
Our team at Diversified Insurance Brokers will help you avoid costly mistakes and maximize lifetime benefits.
📞 Call us at 800-533-5969
🔗 Explore: Social Security Services ·
Maximize Benefits
We are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration. Educational only—not legal/tax advice.
FAQs: Leaving Social Security Benefits on the Table
What does it mean to leave Social Security benefits on the table?
It means claiming Social Security in a way that results in permanently lower lifetime benefits than you were eligible for, often due to timing mistakes, lack of coordination with a spouse, or misunderstanding benefit rules.
What is the most common mistake people make with Social Security?
Claiming benefits too early is the most common mistake. Taking benefits before full retirement age permanently reduces monthly payments and can significantly lower lifetime income, especially for those who live longer.
How does claiming age affect my total benefits?
Claiming before full retirement age reduces benefits, while delaying benefits past full retirement age increases them through delayed retirement credits. Waiting until age 70 can raise monthly benefits by up to 24–32% compared to claiming at full retirement age.
Can married couples lose benefits by claiming incorrectly?
Yes. Poor coordination between spouses—such as not considering spousal benefits, survivor benefits, or age differences—can result in tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost lifetime income.
How do survivor benefits factor into Social Security decisions?
When one spouse passes away, the surviving spouse generally receives the higher of the two benefits. Claiming strategies that maximize the higher earner’s benefit can significantly increase survivor income.
Does working while collecting Social Security affect benefits?
If you claim before full retirement age and continue working, your benefits may be temporarily reduced if you exceed annual earnings limits. While some benefits are credited back later, many people misunderstand how this works and claim too early.
Can taxes reduce the value of my Social Security benefits?
Yes. Depending on your income, up to 85% of Social Security benefits may be taxable. Poor tax planning can reduce net benefits and compound the impact of an early or inefficient claiming decision.
How can I avoid leaving Social Security benefits unclaimed?
Carefully evaluating claiming age, coordinating spousal strategies, factoring in longevity, and integrating Social Security with retirement income planning can help maximize lifetime benefits.
About the Author:
Jason Stolz, CLTC, CRPC, is a senior insurance and retirement professional with more than two decades of real-world experience helping individuals, families, and business owners protect their income, assets, and long-term financial stability. As a long-time partner of the nationally licensed independent agency Diversified Insurance Brokers, Jason provides trusted guidance across multiple specialties—including fixed and indexed annuities, long-term care planning, personal and business disability insurance, life insurance solutions, and short-term health coverage. Diversified Insurance Brokers maintains active contracts with over 100 highly rated insurance carriers, ensuring clients have access to a broad and competitive marketplace.
His practical, education-first approach has earned recognition in publications such as VoyageATL, highlighting his commitment to financial clarity and client-focused planning. Drawing on deep product knowledge and years of hands-on field experience, Jason helps clients evaluate carriers, compare strategies, and build retirement and protection plans that are both secure and cost-efficient.
