Social Security Strategy
You only get one chance to file for Social Security benefits the right way. And depending on how you claim, the difference can be worth tens of thousands of dollars over your lifetime.
Make a Smart, Confident Choice.
Deciding when and how to claim Social Security is one of the most important retirement decisions you’ll make. It’s also one of the most misunderstood.

At our St. Charles office, we help pre-retirees across the Tri-Cities—and around the country—understand their options and build a smart, personalized filing strategy. Whether you’re married, divorced, widowed, or filing on your own, we’ll help you weigh the pros and cons of your choices so you can retire with more clarity and confidence.
Why Your Filing Strategy Matters
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer—and no do-overs.
You only get one chance to file for Social Security benefits the right way. And depending on how you claim, the difference can be worth tens of thousands of dollars over your lifetime. We look at your full financial picture—other income sources, tax brackets, health history, and retirement goals—to help you decide:
- When to start benefits (age 62, full retirement age, or delay to 70)
- How spousal or survivor benefits factor in
- How benefits are taxed—and how to reduce that impact
- Whether working in retirement will affect your income
- How Social Security fits into your broader retirement income strategy
Specialized Guidance from a Certified Advisor
Chris Delarme has been certified by nssa—a specialized credential for professionals trained to help clients navigate the complexities of Social Security.
That means you’re not just getting general advice. You’re getting guidance from someone who understands:
- Spousal & ex-spouse benefits
- Widow(er)’s benefits & survivor rules
- Medicare interactions
- Government pension offsets
- Benefit calculations & breakeven analysis
Common Questions We Help Answer
If you’re asking these, you’re not alone.
- “Should I take Social Security as soon as I can or wait?”
- “How do I coordinate my benefits with my spouse’s?”
- “Will my Social Security be taxed?”
- “Can I keep working and still collect benefits?”
- “What happens if I outlive my savings?”
- “How does Social Security fit into the rest of my retirement income?”
We’ll walk you through it all—no pressure, no judgment, just honest answers.
Our Process
We don’t treat Social Security as a standalone decision. It’s a major piece of your retirement income puzzle, so we:
- Review your full earnings record and benefit estimates
- Run “what if” scenarios to test different filing ages
- Integrate Social Security with your other income sources (like IRAs, annuities, or pensions)
- Factor in tax consequences and withdrawal timing
- Deliver a clear, written strategy you can follow—or adjust over time
We use planning tools like RightCapital to model outcomes and help you visualize how Social Security affects your retirement trajectory.
Why Clients Trust Us with Social Security Decisions
We take the guesswork out of one of retirement’s biggest choices.
Certified Expertise
Chris holds the NSSA® designation (National Social Security Advisor Certificate), giving you access to advanced guidance—far beyond what you’ll get from a government pamphlet or generic article.
One-on-One Advice
You won’t be handed off or left to figure it out on your own. Every conversation is personal, and every plan is tailored to your unique goals, health, family dynamics, and income picture.
Integrated Planning
We don’t treat Social Security in a vacuum. We show you how it fits with your investments, taxes, and retirement timeline—so you can make decisions with clarity and confidence.
Unbiased, Fee-Based Guidance
We’re not selling Social Security products—because there aren’t any. Our only goal is helping you make the best possible decision for your future.