Episode 50: How to Make the Most of Your Social Security Benefits



In this eye-opening conversation, host Bryan Bibbo sits down with Social Security specialist, Ash Ahluwalia, CFP ®, MBA, head of Social Security Planning at OneTeam Financial, to uncover the complex world of Social Security optimization that many Americans never fully understand. 

Through real client stories and practical examples, he demonstrates how proper Social Security planning can help many couples make the most of their benefits and provide a significant source of income in retirement. Ash also addresses recent tax law confusion and explains why even high-net-worth individuals worth $80 million shouldn’t overlook their Social Security strategy. 

Key Topics: 

  • The Social Security Knowledge Gap: Why most financial professionals don’t understand the complexities of Social Security optimization and how this creates opportunities for significant benefit increases. 
  • Claiming Strategy Fundamentals: Understanding the impact of claiming anywhere from age 62 to 70, including how benefits can double and the critical role of earnings limits for early claimers. 
  • Couples Planning Strategies: How married couples, divorced individuals, and widows can maximize benefits through coordinated filing strategies that consider spousal and survivor benefits. 
  • Tax Implications and Recent Changes: Clarifying confusion around recent tax law changes and how Social Security taxation works within overall retirement income planning. 
  • High-Net-Worth Planning: Why wealthy individuals shouldn’t ignore Social Security benefits and how to convert Social Security into estate tax-free assets through strategic planning.