Retired in America

Your Guide to a Confident Retirement

  • Home
  • Personal finance
  • Retirement Life
  • Saving & Spending

10 Mistakes That Reduce Your Social Security Payments

March 10, 2026 · Personal finance

Table of Contents

  1. Claiming at Age 62 Without Running the Numbers
  2. Misunderstanding the Annual Earnings Test
  3. Forgetting About Spousal Benefits
  4. Ignoring the Impact on Survivor Benefits
  5. Failing to Audit Your Earnings Record
  6. Miscalculating the Tax on Your Benefits
  7. Overlooking Medicare Premium Surcharges (IRMAA)
  8. Being Blindsided by the Windfall Elimination Provision
  9. Assuming You Must Stop Working Entirely
  10. Leaving Divorced Spouse Benefits Unclaimed
  11. At a Glance: Claiming Age Comparison
  12. When to Consult a Professional
  13. What Can Go Wrong
  14. Frequently Asked Questions
Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Share this article

Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search

Latest Posts

  • What $3,000 a Month Really Looks Like in Retirement Based on Where You Live What $3,000 a Month Really Looks Like in Retirement Based on Where You Live
  • An older couple in casual clothes sitting at a wooden kitchen table, looking at a tablet together in warm natural light. Here's What the Average Social Security Check Is in August (How Do You Compare?)
  • A retired couple walks down a peaceful, tree-lined suburban sidewalk during the warm golden hour. 10 Best Retirement Cities With Peaceful Neighborhoods
  • 10 Small Towns Where Retirees Can Live Like Millionaires 10 Small Towns Where Retirees Can Live Like Millionaires
  • An older veteran looking skeptically at a tablet showing a $10,000 XRP claim, watercolor illustration. American Veterans Are About to Receive $10,000 in XRP From Ripple - More Here!
  • A retired couple standing on a sunny balcony in Europe overlooking a coastal town at sunset. 10 Things to Know About Retiring Abroad
  • A thoughtful 68-year-old man sitting on his porch during golden hour, holding a warm mug. Here's the Average Social Security Benefit of 68-Year-Old Americans (How Do You Compare?)
  • A stylized gouache illustration of a couple walking along a path divided into Taxable, Tax-Deferred, and Tax-Free segments. In What Order Should You Tap Your Retirement Funds? (Find Out Here!)
  • An active retired couple laughing together on a wooden lakeside porch in New Hampshire during a warm autumn morning. The 10 States Where Retirees Receive the Highest Median Social Security Benefit Checks
  • A retired couple hiking hand-in-hand along a scenic desert trail lined with cacti during a warm, golden sunset. 20 Affordable Desert Towns Retirees Are Falling in Love With

Newsletter

Get retirement planning tips, savings strategies, and lifestyle insights delivered to your inbox.

Related Articles

An older couple sitting at a wooden kitchen table reviewing retirement paperwork together in soft morning light.

What Every Retiree Needs to Know About Social Security Right Now

Discover the latest 2026 Social Security updates, earnings limits, and practical claiming strategies to maximize…

Read More →

3 Ways To Retire a Millionaire

Invest in broadly diversified index funds – Broadly diversified index funds are the words you need…

Read More →
A stylized gouache illustration of a couple walking along a path divided into Taxable, Tax-Deferred, and Tax-Free segments.

In What Order Should You Tap Your Retirement Funds? (Find Out Here!)

Discover the most tax-efficient retirement withdrawal strategy to preserve your savings, minimize IRS taxes, and…

Read More →
Minimalist illustration of a tiny golden block labeled $1,000 at the edge of a vast canyon, symbolizing the retirement savings gap.

Can Trump’s $1K Senior Account Really Close the Retirement Gap? What Boomers Should Know

Discover how the new federal $1,000 retirement match works, why it isn't enough to close…

Read More →
A senior couple smiling while looking at a tablet in a bright, modern kitchen.

5 Crucial Medicare Changes Coming Soon

Discover the 5 crucial Medicare changes coming soon, from negotiated drug prices and out-of-pocket caps…

Read More →

10 Reasons Why Most American Seniors Are Addicted to Their Social Security

Explore why most seniors rely heavily on Social Security to survive retirement, from guaranteed lifetime…

Read More →

9 401(k) Mistakes & Solutions All Boomers Should Be Aware Of

1st Mistake: Not Contributing Enough Thanks to a survey by Natixis Investment Managers made in…

Read More →

10 Social Security Alternatives To Earn More in Retirement

Your personal nest egg – The best thing you can do to supplement your Social Security…

Read More →
An older couple plans their retirement at a sunny wooden table with maps.

10 Ways Retirees Supplement Their Pension Income

Discover ten actionable, practical strategies to supplement your pension income, from optimizing Social Security benefits…

Read More →
Retired in America

Your Guide to a Confident Retirement

Inedit Agency S.R.L.
Bucharest, Romania

contact@retiredinamerica.com

Trust & Legal

About Us

Editorial Policy

Advertiser Disclosure

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Us

Disclaimer

Terms and Conditions

Privacy Policy

Subscribe

Unsubscribe

Categories

  • Personal finance
  • Retirement Life
  • Saving & Spending

© 2026 Retired in America. All rights reserved.