When most people picture retirement planning, they think about saving more, investing better, or hitting that magic “million-dollar mark.” But for David and Celeste, a married couple from South Florida, the key to a better retirement wasn’t saving more—it was deciding when to tap into what they’d already earned.

Through a smart, personalized Social Security strategy, David and Celeste were able to unlock $77,000 in additional benefits and preserve nearly $280,000 in their retirement savings. Here’s how they did it—and how you might be able to do the same.

Meet David and Celeste: Average Couple, Extraordinary Outcome

David and Celeste were just a few years from retirement when they started to take planning seriously. Both were working—David earning about $5,000/month and eligible for an $800 pension at 65, and Celeste earning around $1,900/month. They’d been diligent savers, with roughly $500,000 combined in their 401(k)s, but they still had big questions:

• When should we start taking Social Security?
• How long will our savings last?
• Can we afford the lifestyle we’ve worked so hard for?

They needed answers—and not the kind that came with a hefty advisory fee or investment minimum.

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The Problem: A Common But Costly Assumption

Like most people, David assumed he’d claim Social Security as soon as he retired at age 65. Celeste, a few years younger, planned to retire around age 62. They figured their savings would fill in any gaps between what they needed and what Social Security provided.

It’s a common strategy—but it’s also one that can unintentionally cost couples hundreds of thousands of dollars in missed opportunities.

When they met with a retirement planner who offered free Social Security analysis, things started to shift.

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The Breakthrough: Social Security Is More Than a Monthly Check

Using advanced planning software, David and Celeste’s advisor modeled more than 1,500 combinations of when each of them could claim Social Security. The goal? Maximize income while minimizing how much they'd need to pull from savings.

The best strategy turned out to be surprisingly simple:

• Celeste: File for her own benefit at age 66 and 1 month (January 2030).
• David: Wait until age 70 to claim his own benefit.
  

By delaying David’s benefit until it hit its maximum, they were able to unlock more than $4,000/month in guaranteed, inflation-adjusted income. That alone added $77,000 in lifetime Social Security payments—money they would have missed out on if they followed their original plan.

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But What About the Gap?

Here’s the big question: if David retires at 65 and doesn’t take Social Security until 70, where does the income come from during those five years?

The answer: their retirement savings—but only a controlled portion.

Rather than spend down everything, they used just enough from their 401(k)s to bridge the gap between retirement and the start of full Social Security benefits. This gave their Social Security income time to mature and grow, ensuring that once David turned 70, their monthly benefits alone would fully cover their living expenses—adjusted for inflation.

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The Results: $200K+ in Preserved Retirement Funds

Because Social Security was now covering all essential expenses, David and Celeste didn’t need to touch the remaining $265,000 of their retirement savings. That money was free to be invested more strategically—and more safely.

Their advisor suggested a low-risk, fixed-rate vehicle earning 6% annually, similar to a CD but with tax-deferred growth and no management fees. At the end of five years, that $265,000 had grown to $357,000—a fund they could use entirely for travel, gifts, emergencies, or even future healthcare needs.

Compare that with the “default” strategy (claiming early and relying on savings the whole way), and the contrast is stark:

• The default strategy left them with just $83,000 in surplus.
• The optimized strategy preserved $287,000 in surplus—$200,000+ more.
  
  

Avoiding the Pitfalls: What David and Celeste Didn’t Do

This case study is just as much about what they didn’t do as what they did.

1. They didn’t rush to claim benefits. Claiming early might feel secure, but it cuts monthly income for life.
2. They didn’t give their savings to a high-fee advisor. Many firms charge 1–2% in annual fees. Over time, that can eat away 30–40% of your total return.
3. They didn’t gamble in the stock market during early retirement. By avoiding unnecessary risk, they preserved both principal and peace of mind.
   

Instead, they made a plan based on income needs, not just asset size. And they worked with a retirement planner who charged them nothing—not for Social Security optimization, investment strategy, or Medicare coordination.

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Key Lessons from David and Celeste’s Plan

Whether you’re 5 or 15 years away from retirement, there are important takeaways from their story:

1. Timing Is Everything

Delaying Social Security isn’t right for everyone—but when it’s right, the impact is massive. Don’t make the mistake of claiming too early just because you can.

2. Know Your Income Gap

It’s not just about how much you have—it’s about how much you need, when you need it, and what sources are covering that gap.

3. Keep Risk Low and Fees Lower

If your savings are for enjoyment, don’t put them at unnecessary risk. Fixed-rate options and no-fee strategies can outperform in retirement simply because they don’t lose money to volatility or advisors.

4. Plan Early, Stress Less

This plan worked because David and Celeste started thinking strategically before it was urgent. With a few years of runway, they had options. They didn’t wait until retirement to start solving the puzzle.

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A No-Fee Path to a Stress-Free Retirement

David and Celeste’s story isn’t unique because they were millionaires, or because they had a perfect savings record. It’s unique because they worked with someone who looked beyond balances and focused on the order of operations in retirement.

By coordinating Social Security, pensions, and savings—and not charging a dime in planning fees—their advisor helped them retire comfortably, with:

• All bills are paid by guaranteed income
• Nearly $360,000 of investments are untouched and growing
• Total peace of mind that they wouldn’t outlive their money

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Your Turn: Could This Strategy Work for You?

If you’re within 10 years of retirement and unsure when to take Social Security—or worried your savings might not last—you don’t need to go it alone.

Whether your situation looks like David and Celeste’s or not, the core principle holds: A smart plan beats a bigger balance every time.

Want to see how your numbers stack up? Get a free Social Security analysis—no fees, no minimums, no sales pitch. Just clear answers and a plan built around you.

Social Security optimization may not sound exciting—but for David and Celeste, it added more than $75,000 in income and gave them a better retirement. What could it do for you?