I guess I picked a bad title when I called my little guidebook “Social Security: Simple and Smart.” I’ll never attract readers and get rich with a boring title like that. Instead, I should have called it something like: “Buy This Book and Gets Thousands in Extra Social Security Benefits!” Or maybe, “Social Security Secrets That Will Make You Rich!”
I was thinking about this today while I was playing one of my little morning word games on my iPad. (My wife and I have this pre-breakfast routine where we play a few online puzzles and games before serving up our scrambled eggs or cereal.) And while playing one of my word games, this teasing headline popped up: “Social Security mistakes that could cost you a fortune!” Because I’ve seen hundreds, if not thousands, of these come-ons over the years, I knew the story would be trotting out the same tired old teasers that older adults have been hounded by for the past 10 years or so. It’s all part of the “maximize your Social Security” craze that’s been all the rage. I’ve spent countless past columns commenting on this hype. Here is my bottom-line message. There is nothing wrong with trying to get the biggest return on your Social Security “investment.” I just don’t like all the scare stories and catchy headlines that would lead seniors to believe they are missing out on a “fortune.” This latest pop-up ad listed “seven mistakes you should avoid to maximize your Social Security checks.” Let’s go over them….