Don’t cost yourself thousands: 3 Social Security blunders to avoid in 2026

Social Security: For many retirees, Social Security is the closest thing to a guaranteed paycheck. Once you file, the money shows up every month for the rest of your life, and when it’s combined with retirement savings, it can make the later years far more comfortable.

But if Social Security is on your radar for 2026, how you claim matters just as much as when. A few common mistakes can quietly reduce your income for life. Here are three Social Security blunders worth avoiding.

1. Claiming Social Security early without fully understanding the impact

If you’ll be at least 62 in 2026, you’re allowed to start collecting Social Security. That doesn’t mean it’s the right move. Claiming before full retirement age permanently reduces your monthly benefit, and that reduction follows you for life, as per a report.


For example, if your full retirement age is 67 and your benefit at that point would be $2,000 a month, claiming at 64 could cut that by about 20%. Instead of $2,000, you’d be looking at roughly $1,600 a month.

That smaller check might be manageable for someone with significant retirement savings, such as a $2.4 million IRA or 401(k). But the key is knowing what that reduction looks like and running the numbers before you file, as per The Motley Fool.

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2. Filing Social Security without coordinating with your spouse

When both spouses worked, it’s easy to think of Social Security as an individual decision. In reality, it often works better as a team strategy.

One spouse might decide to claim benefits in 2026 while the other waits for larger monthly checks later. Whether that makes sense depends on your income needs in retirement and how much you plan to draw from savings like an IRA or 401(k), as per The Motley Fool report. What matters is talking it through together instead of filing separately without a plan.

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3. Waiting too long to claim spousal benefits

For someone who didn’t work or doesn’t have a strong earnings record, spousal benefits can provide important income in retirement. Claiming those benefits before full retirement age leads to smaller monthly checks, so waiting until that age is usually the smart move.

However, there’s no benefit to waiting longer than full retirement age. Spousal benefits don’t increase if you delay, unlike benefits based on your own earnings record. Once full retirement age arrives, it makes sense to file.

FAQs

Why is Social Security often called a guaranteed paycheck?
Because once you file, the payments arrive every month for the rest of your life.

Can I start Social Security in 2026 if I’m 62?
Yes, turning 62 makes you eligible, but it may not be the best financial move.