Thanks for visiting! I’m a Registered Social Security Analyst in Eureka, California, working with individuals and families to maximize their Social Security claiming decisions.

In deciding when to start taking Social Security, one size does not fit all. Making your claiming decision without full information can be catastrophic because the decision is almost always permanent. A mistake can result in lost income every month for the rest of your life.

My main work is as an Estate Planning lawyer at Gale & Nielsen, and I can do Social Security analysis as part of a customized estate plan.

  • Calculating lifetime Social Security payment amounts to determine the best age to begin taking benefits,

  • Eligibility of other Family Members

  • Maximizing total benefits of married couples

  • Maximizing lifetime Social Security income in view of taxes and other assets

Areas of Expertise

  1. Client(s) get their Social Security record from Login.gov or SSA.gov. (I can help with this.)

  2. Clients prepare an information sheet with information about retirement goals, income and assets other than Social Security, expected remaining lifespans, and family members who may become eligible for benefits at some point.

  3. Meet with me at my office in Eureka, CA, or over the phone, Facetime, or Zoom.

  4. I prepare a detailed analysis comparing your tentative plan against the one that would give you the maximum total payout available.

  5. Final meeting with clients to discuss the results.

How Social Security Analysis Works

  • The Social Security program will run out of money in a few years.

  • Social Security income is tax-exempt.

  • I should take Social Security as soon as I can because otherwise I might not get anything.

  • Taking Social Security as late as possible is always the best strategy.

  • The amount of my Social Security income doesn’t affect benefits my family members could get.

  • I can’t work for pay if I’m getting Social Security benefits.

  • I can’t receive benefits from my ex-spouse’s Social Security record.

  • Social Security will be enough to live on so I don’t need to worry about saving.

Common misconceptions about Social Security