I Asked ChatGPT the Best Way To Claim Social Security — Then Had a Retirement Planner Review It - AOL.com

Social Security claiming decisions shape retirement income for decades, but generic advice ignores individual financial circumstances that determine optimal timing.

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When we asked ChatGPT for the best way to claim Social Security, it provided strategies for when to claim benefits, emphasizing that waiting until age 70 maximizes lifetime payments for most people. Anthony DeLuca, a CFP and CDFA who is an expert contributor at Annuity.org, reviewed the AI’s recommendations and identified critical gaps in the one-size-fits-all approach.

“It is not surprising that people are turning to ChatGPT to answer their financial questions. I’ll be honest with you; I lean on it to confirm ideas,” DeLuca said. But he emphasized that ChatGPT is software that doesn’t know what it doesn’t know.

ChatGPT’s Core Recommendation

The AI identified key Social Security ages: 62 as the earliest claiming age, 67 as full retirement age for many workers today and 70 as when maximum monthly benefits kick in. Benefits increase about 8% per year for every year delayed after full retirement age until 70, according to the Social Security Administration.

“Most experts agree the strategy that maximizes lifetime benefits is often waiting as long as possible (up to age 70),” ChatGPT said.

The AI provided an example showing monthly benefits: roughly $1,400 at age 62, about $2,000 at age 67 and around $2,480 at age 70.

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The Break-Even Analysis

ChatGPT calculated that the break-even point between claiming at 62 versus 70 falls around age 78 to 80. If you live longer than that, waiting typically pays off, according to the AI.

The AI offered rules of thumb: Claim earlier if you need income immediately, have health issues shortening life expectancy or lack other retirement savings. Delay to 70 if you’re healthy, expect to live into your 80s or want the largest lifetime benefit.

Where the Expert Agrees

DeLuca confirmed ChatGPT’s information isn’t incorrect. “Largely, I agree with it,” he said. The math on benefit increases and break-even ages holds up under standard assumptions.

His concern focused elsewhere. “My biggest issue is this: ‘most experts agree the strategy that maximizes benefits is often waiting as long as possible (up to 70),'” DeLuca said. These are blanket recommendations that don’t consider one’s specific financial plan, portfolio construction, risk management or current economic environment.

The Danger of Generic Advice

The AI provides accurate general information but can’t factor in portfolio performance expectations, tax planning opportunities, asset location strategies or how claiming timing interacts with other retirement income sources.

ChatGPT presented claiming at 70 as longevity insurance that provides the largest possible monthly payment and bigger cost-of-living adjustments over time. DeLuca doesn’t disagree with that characterization, but he wants people to understand it’s one factor among many.

A client with substantial taxable brokerage accounts, traditional IRAs facing large required minimum distributions and good health might optimize their overall financial situation by claiming early and executing a sophisticated multiyear tax strategy. ChatGPT can’t weigh those competing priorities.

The Bullish Market Scenario

DeLuca provided a specific example where claiming early makes more sense. Consider a client who is moderately aggressive by choice or necessity to meet certain retirement goals during a bullish market.

“There is then an argument that one should pull their Social Security earlier than 70 and let their retirement assets grow in the market,” he said. His firm’s proprietary balanced models performed above 8% net of fees over the past 10 years. The S&P 500 returned over 14% over the past five years.

“Wouldn’t a client be better off pulling early?” DeLuca asked. The answer depends on individual circumstances ChatGPT can’t evaluate.

The Roth Conversion Strategy

DeLuca offered another scenario where conventional wisdom breaks down. What if a client retires at 62? Should they wait until 70 and substantially deplete retirement assets over that eight-year window?

“Maybe they should,” DeLuca said. The reason might surprise people focused solely on maximizing Social Security. If clients have significant deferred assets, the drop in income during those eight years allows for Roth conversions that significantly lower RMDs later in life.

Claiming Social Security early in this case means higher taxable income and fewer opportunities for tax-efficient Roth conversions during low-income years.

The Right Way To Use AI

DeLuca positioned ChatGPT as a useful tool with limitations rather than something to avoid entirely.

The AI excels at explaining rules, benefit calculations and general strategies. It falls short on personalized analysis that accounts for market conditions, tax situations and how Social Security timing interacts with broader financial plans.

“Always consult with a CFP®,” DeLuca said. Certified financial planners can evaluate individual circumstances ChatGPT can’t access or properly weight.

The takeaway is that ChatGPT’s Social Security advice provides a helpful starting point but shouldn’t be the final word. Generic optimization around maximizing lifetime benefits ignores real-world complexity where claiming early might serve broader financial goals better than waiting for maximum monthly checks.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: I Asked ChatGPT the Best Way To Claim Social Security — Then Had a Retirement Planner Review It