7 Moves You Must Make Before Claiming Social Security in 2026

If you’re aiming to file for Social Security anytime in 2026, now is the time to get your retirement plan in shape. The 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) was set at 2.8%, earnings test limits have increased, and your claiming date can permanently raise or reduce your monthly check. A little prep in the next few weeks can prevent paperwork snags, surprise withholdings, and a smaller-than-expected payment.

Take a good look at your finances and consider speaking to a professional to avoid costly retirement planning mistakes.

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1. Verify your earnings record

Your benefit is built from your 35 highest-earning years. If a year is missing or too low, your average indexed monthly earnings, and therefore your benefit, can drop. Create or sign into your “my Social Security” account, download your earnings history, and compare it to old W-2s or tax returns.

If you spot a problem, follow the Social Security Administration’s (SSA’s) correction process. Be ready to provide proof of earnings. Catching errors now gives the SSA time to update your record well before you file, so that you get your full benefit entitlement.

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2. Estimate your benefit at different ages and compare the figures to your budget needs

Run your own numbers through the SSA’s calculator, based on your actual earnings record inside your “my Social Security” account. Look at how much you’d receive if you file early at 62, at full retirement age (FRA), which is 67 if you were born in 1960 or later, or if you delay filing until age 70.

Once you’ve got those figures, test them against your monthly budget. If the amount you’d receive at 62 doesn’t cover the essentials, you may need to delay or backfill with part-time work or savings. If the figure you’ll receive at age 70 significantly improves your margin, you may think it’s worth waiting to file, especially given that every future COLA applies to that larger baseline figure.

3. Weigh health, longevity, and other income to choose the best claiming age

Claiming early locks in a permanent reduction, while delaying past full retirement age earns delayed retirement credits (DRCs) at 8% per year up to age 70. So if your FRA is 67, you’d get a permanent monthly increase of 24% if you waited to claim until your 70th birthday.

If you expect a long retirement and can fund the gap with savings or part-time work, waiting can raise lifetime income. If your health is poor or you need cash flow sooner to avoid debt, earlier filing can still be the right move.

Consider survivorship, too. For married couples, the higher earner’s record can matter for survivor benefits, since an eligible surviving spouse may receive up to the deceased worker’s full benefit amount.

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4. If you’ll work while claiming, plan around the 2026 earnings test

Working before reaching FRA and already claiming Social Security can trigger the earnings test and temporary withholding. For 2026, the annual limit for those under FRA all year is $24,480. The SSA temporarily withholds $1 for every $2 above this amount. In the year you reach full retirement, you are granted a higher limit, which is $65,160. Beyond that, the SSA withholds $1 for every $3 you earn until the month in which you reach FRA.

The SSA also uses a monthly limit in the first year you retire, so you can still be paid for any month your wages stay under the monthly cap. Map bonuses, commissions, and seasonal hours around these thresholds so your first months of checks aren’t unexpectedly paused.

5. Know the 2026 rule changes that touch your filing decision

Confirm the basics that affect your cash flow next year. The 2026 COLA is 2.8%, which lifts the average retired worker’s check by about $56 per month. Retirees saw this increase beginning in January. If you’re receiving Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI), you saw the increase starting on Dec. 31, 2025.

The Social Security maximum taxable earnings has risen to $184,500 for 2026. This is important if you or your spouse is still working. Earning one work credit requires $1,890 of covered earnings in 2026. You can still only earn up to four credits per year.

You need to be aware of these changes and account for them in your 2026 budget, as they may influence your income, taxes, and other deductions, payments, or eligibility as you approach retirement.

6. Check your Medicare and tax obligations

Many retirees have Medicare Part B deducted from their Social Security benefits. Some retirees also choose to have Part D, and in some cases, Medicare Advantage plan premiums, withheld from their Social Security payment.

Plus, high-income enrollees can face income-related monthly amount (IRMAA) deductions based on their tax returns from two years prior. Your exact 2026 premium and any IRMAA appeared in your online COLA notice in late November, and they directly affect the deposit you’ll see after you claim.

You also need to be aware that your Social Security benefits may be taxable, depending on your combined income. The IRS deems your combined income to be your adjusted gross income (AGI) plus nontaxable interest plus half of your Social Security benefits.

If your combined income is below $25,000 for many single filers or $32,000 for joint filers, your benefits generally won’t be taxable. If you earn between $25,000 and $34,000 as a single filer, or $32,000 to $44,000 for married joint filers, up to 50% of your benefits are taxable. Above these thresholds, up to 85% of your benefit may be taxable. You may want to file Form W-4V and have the SSA withhold 7%, 10%, 12%, or 22% of your benefit to help avoid a surprise tax bill in April.

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7. Get your timing right

While applying for retirement benefits may not take too long, it’s a good idea to take your time and complete your application at least 3 months before you want payments to start. Filing online is the easiest option and lets you save your progress and come back later if you need to find documents or provide extra details.

If you expect to keep working throughout the rest of 2026, give the SSA a realistic estimate of your earnings so that it can withhold only what’s necessary under the earnings test and restore full checks as soon as you hit full retirement age.

Bottom line

Preparing early for filing for retirement gives you time and options. Verify your earnings record and run your claiming-age scenarios with SSA’s tools and your precise numbers so you know how much benefit you can receive every month at different ages. You then need to decide whether health, longevity, savings, and other income streams argue for filing sooner or later.

Confirm your Medicare and tax amounts so that your net deposit matches your expectations. And, to avoid any delays or hiccups, file online up to four months before you want your benefit to start. Having a clear plan now is the best step you can take toward starting a stress-free retirement.

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