It was back in 2010 when I heard a Social Security expert mention the terminology “file and suspend.”

It immediate captured my imagination, as it was the first inkling I had that:

  1. Social Security is complicated.
  2. You can approach claiming with actual strategies in mind.
  3. There are some really neat tricks available – like file and suspend!

It took some serious study before I truly understood how the technique works, when it is and isn’t available, and why one would use it.  So it’s not surprising to me when I hear clients, as well as their professional advisors, throw the term around recklessly and inappropriately.  Read more.