Social Security Rules You Might Not Know About: Spousal Benefits, Divorce, Tax Traps

Social Security claiming strategies, spousal benefit rules, and tech market rotations—what do you need to know?   This week, Matt, Lee, and John are unpacking the topics clients and viewers keep asking them about: navigating the timing of Social Security benefits, avoiding tax traps in retirement, and the recent market rotation between Apple and NVIDIA. Topics Discussed: ➡ Social Security Claiming Strategies & Break-Even Realities: The team examines the core decisions behind filing for Social Security between ages 62, 67, and 70. They discuss how full retirement age (FRA) works, how family longevity and break-even math impact your decision, and why rushing to claim out of fear of the system running out can be a costly mistake. ➡ Rules for Spousal, Survivor, and Divorced Benefits: A detailed look at the nuances of Social Security for couples and single individuals. The conversation breaks down spousal top-ups, survivor benefit adjustments upon the death of a spouse, and the lesser-known rules that allow ex-spouses to claim on a former partner's earnings record if married for at least 10 years. ➡ The Hidden Single-Tax Bracket Trap: How moving from a joint tax return to a single filing status after the loss of a spouse can significantly increase your tax burden. The guys highlight proactive strategies—like Roth conversions—to help protect retirement income against future tax shocks. ➡ Tech Rotations: Apple vs. NVIDIA & Earnings Season: A look at market cap shifts as Apple reclaims the top spot over NVIDIA, the pullback in chip stocks, and how investors are evaluating heavy corporate AI expenditures during earnings season.   02:15 Overview of social security planning questions 04:56 What happens when a spouse dies: the surviving benefit 06:20 Receiving an ex-spouses benefit07:14 The tax impact from filing marital verses single shocks people 08:53 When should I start social security? 16:22 Divorce can impact your financial plan but don’t panic 17:42 NVIDIA, Apple and other tech stock news