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The Retirement Tipping Point: How Social Security Timing and New Legislation Can Add Six Figures of Value

by Eric Seyboldt, MBA

Most retirees consider Social Security a fixed benefit—a monthly check commencing sometime after age 62. However, it stands as the most potent income lever available to the average household. The decision of when to claim isn't solely about monthly income; it's about longevity risk, portfolio preservation, tax efficiency, and overall retirement stability.

Social Security is among the few lifetime income sources that adjust for inflation, requires no ongoing asset management, and increases in value the longer it's delayed. In financial planning, it functions more like a private pension or inflation-hedged annuity than a basic government benefit. The key lies in understanding how and when to activate it.

Real-World Example: Waiting with Purpose

Consider James and Carol, both in their early 60s. James intended to file for his $2,100 monthly benefit at 62 due to market volatility concerns. However, after a comprehensive income plan analysis, they discovered that if James delayed until age 70, his benefit would increase to $3,700. This adjustment added over $125,000 in cumulative lifetime income, assuming one spouse lived to 88—a statistically likely scenario.

They bridged the delay period using a modest drawdown from taxable accounts and cash reserves, avoiding large IRA withdrawals, smoothing their tax burden, and significantly reducing the risk of depleting their portfolio during market downturns.

The Economics of Sequence Risk

This strategy wasn't just about increasing monthly income—it was about protecting their capital. Early retirement is when portfolios are most exposed to sequence-of-returns risk. A poor market in the initial retirement years can permanently damage an otherwise healthy plan. By boosting guaranteed income through delayed Social Security, James and Carol reduced the need to sell investments at a loss, preserving principal during vulnerable years.

Moreover, Social Security benefits enjoy favorable tax treatment. While IRA distributions are taxed as ordinary income, only 0–85% of Social Security benefits are taxable, depending on total income. This allows retirees to control marginal tax brackets and Medicare IRMAA surcharges, potentially saving thousands in avoidable taxes and premiums over time.

Legislative Update: Social Security Fairness Act

The enactment of the Social Security Fairness Act is a significant development for public sector employees. Signed into law by President Biden on January 5, 2025, this bipartisan legislation repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), which previously reduced Social Security benefits for individuals receiving pensions from federal, state, or local government employment not covered by Social Security.

This change affects nearly 3 million public servants, including teachers, firefighters, and police officers, who will now receive full Social Security benefits. The repeal is expected to increase monthly benefits by an average of $360 to $700, depending on individual circumstances.

Tailored Strategies, Not Templates

Another client, Susan, had fewer assets and couldn't afford to delay until 70. Her advisor structured a "partial delay" strategy: Susan filed at 65, using part-time income and a modest cash cushion to hold off three years. This added nearly $400 per month to her lifetime benefit—a substantial increase without complex planning.

No two cases are alike. The key is integrating Social Security with the overall retirement income plan—coordinating tax strategy, asset allocation, and risk exposure.

The Bottom Line

A strategic filing decision can mean the difference between a retirement plan that just works and one that thrives. For many, it's the most financially impactful decision they'll ever make. Ignoring this opportunity isn't conservative—it's expensive.

Reach out to us for a complimentary, 10-minute consultation call. Let's explore strategies to protect your wealth and make your retirement everything you've dreamed of—secure, fulfilling, and worry-free. Schedule a free 10-minute consultation today by calling 614-943-2265. Your future deserves the best plan, and we're here to help make it happen.

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The Student Loan Shockwave: What Retirees Must Know Before Bailing Out Their Kids

by Eric Seyboldt, MBA

Client: "Eric, student loan payments have resumed. What exactly is happening with interest, collections, and enforcement, and should parents who are about to retire be stepping in to help repay their children’s loans?"

Eric: “Student loan repayments are back on the table after years of being put on hold. And now, millions of borrowers—many of whom had mentally moved on—are facing a system that’s restarted at full throttle, with interest compounding, deadlines enforced, and taxpayers wanting to be reimbursed.

Here’s the breakdown. As of early May 2025, all federal protections paused during COVID have expired. The Department of Education has reactivated its full collections apparatus. That means borrowers who’ve gone 270 days without paying—roughly 5.3 million of them—are now officially in default. And the government is calling in its chips.

This is not theoretical. It means wage garnishment. It means seized tax refunds. It even means a chunk of someone’s Social Security check could be redirected to pay for a loan they took out before ever having a full-time job.

And for those who are merely late—say, 91 to 180 days behind—your name is already on the list. Enforcement letters are going out. Treasury Offset Program procedures are resuming. That’s not something to ignore.

Client: Is there any way to avoid wage garnishment or tax refund seizures?

Eric:
Yes. But the window is small, and action must be immediate. Three tools exist for borrowers in default:

1. Loan Rehabilitation – Make nine on-time, agreed-upon payments, and your loan exits default. This is a one-time opportunity. Use it wisely.

2. Loan Consolidation – Roll defaulted federal loans into a new direct loan. Done correctly, it resets the clock and gets the borrower eligible for income-driven repayment.

3. Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Plans – This adjusts payments based on income and family size. For someone with low or no income, payments can be as little as $0, but you must apply and be accepted.

Client: So, should a parent nearing retirement step in to make the payments for their child?

Eric:
This is where emotion and economics often go to war.

Let’s get one thing straight: if the loan is in your child’s name, it is not your legal responsibility—unless you co-signed or took out a Parent PLUS loan. But emotionally? Many parents feel an overwhelming pressure to help. And that’s understandable.

But here’s the brutal economic truth: retirees cannot afford to become the backstop for poor federal loan policies or financial procrastination and accountability.

Helping your adult child pay off loans means diverting cash flow from your own retirement security. Once your working years are behind you, there’s no reloading. No one is handing out retirement scholarships. If you sacrifice your future for theirs, you may become dependent on them later. That’s not help. That’s a delayed liability.

Besides, stepping in can create unintended psychological effects: it may keep your child from developing financial discipline or engaging with federal programs designed to ease their burden. If they’re eligible for an IDR plan, make sure they explore it. If they’re in default, help them walk through the rehabilitation process—but don’t write the check unless you’re absolutely certain it won’t destabilize your own finances.

Client: What’s the larger economic picture here?

Eric:
This isn’t just a family issue. It’s a national one. Resumed payments are expected to remove billions in spending power from the consumer economy. That means slower growth in sectors like retail, hospitality, and housing. It also means higher credit card use, tighter budgets, and even increased risk of delinquency on other obligations.

From a labor market perspective, the effect is corrosive. Graduates may pursue careers based on repayment potential, not passion or purpose. That shifts the talent distribution across entire sectors—healthcare, education, and even public service.

Final Word:

This moment in American finance isn’t just about interest rates and payment portals. It’s about generational boundaries and fiscal priorities. Parents must decide: are they preserving their independence, or underwriting someone else’s mistakes? There’s no shame in helping—but there’s danger in doing it blindly.

Before you bail your kid out of student loan debt, ask yourself: is your retirement built for charity? Or is it time your child learns to navigate the storm—and emerge stronger for it?

Contact us for a free, brief 10-minute consultation. Let's explore strategies to protect your wealth and make your retirement everything you've dreamed of—secure, fulfilling, and worry-free. Schedule a free 10-minute consultation today by calling 614-943-2265. Your future deserves the best plan, and we're here to help make it happen.

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Fixed annuities can be an essential component of a well-rounded retirement strategy, offering security, predictability, and efficiency in financial planning.

These are current fixed annuity rates and their durations from Top A-rated carriers (subject to change at any time, not FDIC insured):

Rates Held This Week! Don’t Wait To Lock These Fixed Annuity Rates In Today!

3-year: 5.25% (under $100k Deposited)

3-year: 5.35% (over $100k Deposited)

5-year: 5.45% (under $100k Deposited)

5-year: 5.60% (over $100k Deposited)

7-year: 5.65% (under $100k Deposited)

7-year: 5.95% (over $100k Deposited)

Please feel free to call Eric at 614-943-2265 if you’d like to ask any questions or request information on these fixed annuities or other retirement topics that are on your mind.

REAL ASSETS, Invest Like the Ultra-Wealthy

Invest Like the Ultra-Wealthy: Why Smart Money Is Flocking to Real Assets Like Gold—and Even Bourbon

Let’s be blunt: the old playbook for protecting retirement is broken. Inflation is creeping higher. The dollar is losing its punch. Central banks are printing money like it’s Monopoly night. And markets? As unstable as ever.

That’s why the savviest investors aren’t just watching the storm—they’re preparing for it.

They’re moving into real assets—tangible, inflation-resistant investments that don’t vanish when the market sneezes. We’re talking about gold. We’re talking about bourbon barrels. Yes, bourbon. The same elite-class asset quietly making millionaires in private circles.

These aren’t just collector’s items. They’re financial armor—hard assets that hold their ground when stocks crater and paper wealth evaporates.

And it’s not just a hedge—it’s a strategy.

📌 Gold has withstood centuries of financial upheaval.
📌 Bourbon barrels are aging assets with built-in appreciation and rising global demand.
📌 Physical assets provide something no stock ever can: ownership you can see, touch, and trade on your terms.

During market chaos, real assets don’t flinch. They thrive. History proves it. While equities tumble, hard assets often surge—shielding portfolios and delivering asymmetric returns when they're needed most.

And even in calm times? They add powerful diversification. That’s why the ultra-wealthy use them as a cornerstone—not a sideshow—in their wealth strategy.

Ask yourself:

🧠 Are you truly diversified?
🧠 What happens to your retirement if inflation stays elevated?
🧠 If the dollar weakens, what asset in your portfolio gets stronger?

If you don’t have a good answer, it’s time for a new conversation.

Allocating funds into the asset class known as “Real Assets” may be a strategy that you should consider.

Ask us how to Rollover a portion of Your IRA or 401k To A BOURBON IRA (www.bourbon.fund/how-it-works/) or a GOLD IRA (see link below) and:

• Safeguard your assets from the collapsing dollar

• Incorporate the ‘REAL ASSET’ class into your portfolio like the ultra-wealthy

• Hedge against the current high-inflation conditions

• Protect your retirement assets against economic crises

Just get in touch. We make it easier than ever.

Feedback or Questions?

You’re invited to get in touch with us if you’d like to find out how the Novus Financial Group can help you on your journey to a happy, fulfilling life in Retirement. 

Office: 614-943-2265

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Investment advisory services are offered by duly registered individuals on behalf of CreativeOne Wealth, LLC a Registered Investment Adviser.

The content we provide here isn’t financial advice and cannot be taken as such. Please speak to your financial advisor before making any investment decision. Also, note that every investment comes with its risks and drawbacks. Lastly, we would like to remind you that past results cannot guarantee future returns.

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