Deciding when to claim Social Security is one of the most critical financial forks in the road for any retiree. In a place like Boerne, Texas, where the lifestyle is defined by the rolling hills, the historic charm of the Hill Country Mile, and a community that values both leisure and legacy, this decision carries even more weight.
While the "right" age to claim is often debated over coffee at a local cafe or a glass of wine at a nearby vineyard, the reality is that the best strategy is deeply personal. It depends on your health, your longevity, your other retirement assets, and how you envision your life in the 78006.
At Retire in Boerne, we want to help you understand the variables. For the technical heavy lifting and personalized portfolio construction, the team at Mau Sanchez Capital specializes in integrating these strategies into a comprehensive retirement plan.
The 2026 Landscape: Understanding Your Full Retirement Age (FRA)
For those looking to retire in 2026, the rules have solidified around a key number: 67. If you were born in 1960 or later, age 67 is your Full Retirement Age (FRA). This is the point where you are entitled to 100% of your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA).
The decision to claim before or after this milestone changes your benefit permanently:
- The Early Claim (Age 62): You can start as early as 62, but your monthly benefit will be reduced by as much as 30%. For a retiree looking to maintain a premium lifestyle in Boerne, this reduction can be a significant trade-off.
- The Delayed Claim (Age 70): If you wait past 67, your benefit grows by 8% for every year you delay. By age 70, you could be receiving 124% of your baseline benefit.
"Social Security is one of the few inflation-adjusted income streams you can't outlive. For many, the 'bridge' strategy: using liquid assets to delay claiming: is the most effective way to maximize lifetime wealth." : Financial Industry Perspective
The Marriage Multiplier: Spousal and Survivor Benefits
Social Security isn't just an individual benefit; for married couples, it’s a household asset. Coordinating your claiming strategy can significantly increase the total amount your family receives over two lifetimes.
The Spousal Benefit
If your own work record is modest, you might be eligible for a spousal benefit. This can be up to 50% of your spouse’s FRA benefit. However, you generally cannot claim this until your spouse has filed for their own benefits. Interestingly, spousal benefits do not earn delayed retirement credits. This means there is rarely a financial incentive for the lower-earning spouse to wait past their own FRA to claim a spousal benefit.
The Survivor Benefit: A Legacy Strategy
This is perhaps the most overlooked aspect of Social Security planning. When one spouse passes away, the survivor generally receives the higher of the two benefits the couple was receiving.
At Mau Sanchez Capital, the philosophy often emphasizes the higher earner delaying until 70. Why? Because it locks in the largest possible monthly check for the surviving spouse, providing a crucial safety net for their later years in the Hill Country.
Planning your claiming strategy today ensures more peaceful sunsets on the porch tomorrow.
The "Boerne Factor": Cost of Living and Taxes
How does living in Kendall County affect your Social Security math? While Boerne offers significant lifestyle perks, the financial environment has unique traits.
- No State Income Tax: Texas is one of the few states that does not tax Social Security benefits or retirement income. This means more of your check stays in your pocket compared to retirees in other parts of the country.
- Housing Premium vs. Daily Savings: Boerne’s real estate market is premium, often sitting higher than the national average. However, daily costs like healthcare, groceries, and utilities in the area are frequently below national benchmarks.
- The 2026 COLA: With a projected Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) of 2.8% for 2026, your benefits are designed to keep pace with the prices you see at the local grocery store or when dining out on the Hill Country Mile.
The Working Retiree: Navigating the Earnings Test
Many Boerne retirees don't stop working entirely; they might consult, run a small business, or work part-time. If you claim Social Security before your FRA and continue to earn income, you need to be aware of the "Earnings Test."
In 2026, if you are under your FRA, the Social Security Administration will withhold $1 for every $2 you earn above $24,480. In the year you reach FRA, that limit jumps significantly. Once you hit 67, the limit disappears entirely.
If you plan to remain active in the local business community, it often makes more sense to wait until your FRA to avoid these temporary withholdings.
Boerne’s vibrant downtown is perfect for retirees who want to stay active, whether through work or leisure.
Making the Decision: Liquidity and Asset Allocation
At Mau Sanchez Capital, the investment philosophy generally favors transparent, liquid, and publicly traded markets. When we look at a retiree’s portfolio, we see Social Security as a fixed-income-like component.
By having a properly allocated portfolio of stocks and traditional fixed income, you may have the flexibility to "buy" yourself time. If your portfolio is liquid and cost-efficient, you can withdraw from it during your early 60s to allow your Social Security benefit to grow to its maximum at age 70. This approach prioritizes risk management and long-term equity ownership while securing a higher guaranteed floor of income later in life.
Your Next Steps
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question, "When should I claim?" It requires looking at your taxes, your health, your lifestyle goals, and your total investment picture.
If you are navigating the transition to retirement in Boerne or the surrounding Hill Country, don't leave this decision to guesswork. Professional guidance can help you bridge the gap between your current assets and your future income needs.
Professional planning in a relaxed Boerne environment helps clarify your financial path.
Schedule a private meeting with a fiduciary financial advisor today by calling (512) 593-8380 or by visiting: https://calendly.com/portafoliocapital/15min
Learn more about retirement wealth management at https://portafoliocapital.com/ or give us a call at (512) 593-8380.
Disclaimer:
Portafolio Capital Management dba Mau Sanchez Capital is a Registered Investment Adviser. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any security. Advisory services are provided only pursuant to a written advisory agreement.
This article may include stories, scenarios, and perspectives created or assisted by artificial intelligence. Although the individuals and circumstances described may be fictional, the topics are intended to reflect real financial, personal, and lifestyle issues that retirees and individuals commonly face.
The content is provided to encourage readers to consider different perspectives that may affect their retirement, regardless of whether they are currently planning, approaching retirement, or already retired. It is intended for general educational and informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as personalized investment, financial, tax, legal, medical, or retirement-planning advice.
Individual circumstances vary. Readers should independently verify any information presented and consult appropriately qualified professionals before making financial or personal decisions. No advisory, professional, or client relationship is created through the use of this website.
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