Financial Expert Challenges Conventional Retirement Advice for Americans

Chicago, IL – Financial planner D’Andre Clayton is questioning the traditional guidance on when to claim Social Security benefits as Americans approach retirement. He suggests that the common advice to delay claiming benefits until age 70 may not suit everyone’s unique circumstances.

For years, experts claimed waiting until age 70 would secure the highest possible benefits. However, Clayton, co-founder of Clayton Financial Solutions, states this can foster a false sense of security. He explains, “The more likely consequence is the inability to survive long enough for the break-even point. For instance, if you waited until 70 instead of 65, your break-even point would be age 81 or 82.”

Clayton points to stark statistics: the average life expectancy for men is 75.8 years and for women, it’s 81.1 years. He highlights that many clients who delayed their benefits never lived long enough to reap the rewards. “In some cases, clients reached their seventies but found their health or finances did not allow them to fully enjoy the higher payments they had waited for,” he said.

Another critical element of Clayton’s argument is the opportunity cost associated with waiting. By deferring payments from 62 to 70, retirees miss out on years of potential investment returns. He elaborated, “Those deferred payments could have been invested into Roth accounts, Bitcoin, or anything else that could yield more than what the deferred benefit could create.”

Uncertainty regarding the Social Security system also shapes his perspective. He acknowledges that while Social Security may not disappear, adjustments to benefits are likely necessary. “I’m not one to believe that will mean the end of Social Security; it’s too interwoven into society. But the expected amount or guaranteed increase could be adjusted,” Clayton noted.

His insights come as 2025 approaches its end, with many Americans still stressing about their finances. Changes to Social Security and broader economic factors—including inflation and healthcare costs—make it imperative for retirees to rethink their claiming strategies. As more individuals seek advice, Clayton’s perspective encourages potential retirees to take a deeper look at their financial futures.