When should you take Social Security? It’s one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make in retirement, and one of the easiest to get wrong. It’s not about finding “the best” age, it’s about making an educated decision based on your health, income needs, taxes, and long-term goals. Today, Ryan breaks down the key tradeoffs between claiming early, waiting until full retirement age, or delaying all the way to 70.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

🧮 Claiming Strategy Basics: Timing is an educated guess based on multiple factors

📉 Early Claim at 62: Roughly 30% lower benefit for life

⏳ Delaying for Bigger Benefits: About 8% increase per year after FRA

💼 Still Working & Social Security: Income can temporarily reduce benefits

🧠 Plan with Precision: Coordination can add significant lifetime value

Visit us online: https://blackoakam.com/

Phone: (470) 508-0508

Get in touch with the Black Oak team: https://blackoakam.com/contact-us/

Schedule a call with Ryan: https://speakwithryan.com/

Get your tax-free retirement toolkit: https://bit.ly/3PMjKqc

Get more financial education on our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/45kJlwI

Nobody likes tax season, but for new retirees, the rules can feel completely different. Income changes, required withdrawals begin, and decisions that once lowered taxes can create bigger bills later. Ryan unpacks some of the most common retirement tax mistakes and how they show up in real life. A little forward planning can make a dramatic difference over the long run.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

💸 RMD Deadlines: Missing required distributions can trigger steep penalties

🔁 Roth Conversion Timing: Poor timing can push you into higher tax brackets

📊 Social Security Taxes: Benefits are often taxable sooner than expected

👫 Survivor Planning: Tax brackets can worsen for a surviving spouse

Visit us online: https://blackoakam.com/

Phone: (470) 508-0508

Get in touch with the Black Oak team: https://blackoakam.com/contact-us/

Schedule a call with Ryan: https://speakwithryan.com/

Get your tax-free retirement toolkit: https://bit.ly/3PMjKqc

Get more financial education on our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/45kJlwI

The Oscars have passed, but we’re handing out a few awards of our own. Not for films, but for financial planning. Because when you think about it, a great retirement plan has a lot in common with a great movie: strong characters, a clear storyline, the right support, and a structure that holds up no matter what twists come your way. Ryan shares the key elements of an “award-winning” retirement strategy, one that’s not just impressive on paper, but actually works in real life.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

💰 Best Actor: Consistent saving and capturing employer retirement plan matches

🏆 Supporting role: Strategic tax planning to keep more of your money

📜 Best Screenplay: Coordinating income sources with your retirement goals

🎼 Best Score: Advisor guiding and aligning all moving parts

🎬 Best Picture: A simple, cohesive financial plan that ties everything together

Visit us online: https://blackoakam.com/

Phone: (470) 508-0508

Get in touch with the Black Oak team: https://blackoakam.com/contact-us/

Schedule a call with Ryan: https://speakwithryan.com/

Get your tax-free retirement toolkit: https://bit.ly/3PMjKqc

Get more financial education on our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/45kJlwI