Social Security Planning

For most families, Social Security is one of the most valuable assets they will ever own: a lifetime income stream, backed by the federal government and adjusted every year for inflation. Yet many people make the claiming decision quickly, based on a rule of thumb or a worry about the program's future, and live with the result for decades.

We take a serious and individualized approach. For married couples, the claiming decision is a household decision: the higher earner's claiming age often determines the income a surviving spouse will live on for the rest of their life. And because Social Security affects your taxes, your Medicare premiums, and when you draw from your savings, the claiming decision shouldn't be made in isolation.


Questions Worth Asking Before You File


  • How much is waiting really worth? Claiming at 70 instead of 62 can mean a monthly check that is about 77% larger for life.
  • What happens to your spouse's income after you are gone? The higher earner's claiming age can change a surviving spouse's benefit by more than $1,000 a month.
  • Can you work and collect at the same time? Before full retirement age, earning above $24,480 in 2026 can temporarily reduce your benefit.
  • Will your benefits be taxed? Up to 85% of your benefit may be subject to federal income tax, although neither Kansas nor Missouri taxes Social Security.
  • Should you claim early in case the program runs out? The answer may surprise you.


Download the Latticework Guide to Social Security

Our free guide explains the decision in plain English, with examples and current 2026 figures. Inside, you'll find:


  • How your benefit is calculated, and why a few more working years can matter
  • A year-by-year look at what claiming at every age from 62 to 70 means for your check
  • Spousal and survivor benefits, including deemed filing and the survivor rules couples most often overlook
  • Rules for divorced, widowed, and remarried individuals and for families with children
  • What the Social Security Fairness Act means for teachers and public employees
  • How Social Security interacts with taxes, Medicare, and IRMAA
  • What the 2026 Trustees Report says about the program's future
  • A checklist to complete before you apply


[Download the Free Guide]

How We Help
Social Security planning is one of the services we offer. We review your earnings record, marital and family history, health, and other income sources. Then we model the trade-offs between claiming ages and help you coordinate the decision with your taxes and retirement income. We work with singles, married couples, divorced and widowed individuals, and families with dependents.

Let's Talk Through Your Options
You make this decision once and live with it for decades. If you'd like a second set of eyes before you file, call us at 913-386-8481 or contact us to schedule a complimentary consultation.

[Schedule a Consultation]