Optimizing Social Security Benefits Is Still Complicated

Abstract

The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 made significant changes to the rules affecting Social Security benefits. Some people think that these rule changes made it relatively easy to determine when someone should claim their Social Security benefits. In this article, the authors explain the rule changes and provide 10 reasons why making an optimal Social Security claiming decision is still complicated, even if we knew how long the single claimant or each partner in a married couple will live. Deciding when to claim Social Security benefits remains a complex decision.