Retirement Social Security

6 Common Mistakes Retirees Make With Their Social Security Check

Part of making the most of Social Security means knowing what blunders to avoid.

By Maurie Backman , Edited by Laura Hohenstein

Updated May 13, 2026

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If your goal is to enjoy a stress-free retirement, it's important to claim Social Security at the right time and know how to manage your benefits. Part of that means knowing how the program works and filing for benefits strategically.

Unfortunately, there's a lot of misinformation about Social Security that could get in the way of making solid choices. A 2024 Social Security quiz given by MassMutual showed that many Americans nearing retirement age are sorely misinformed about how the program works.

Here are some common Social Security blunders that could wreck your retirement finances, and what you can do to avoid them.

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Not withholding taxes from benefits

Since Social Security is earned by paying taxes on wages, you might assume that your retirement benefits are yours to enjoy tax-free. But that's not necessarily the case.

You may have to pay taxes on up to 85% of your monthly benefits, depending on your combined income. Combined income is calculated as your adjusted gross income, tax-exempt interest income you receive, and 50% of your Social Security benefits annually.

If you don't have taxes withheld from your Social Security payments, you could end up having to write the IRS a pretty large check when you file your taxes. To avoid a big surprise, you can request that the SSA withhold taxes from your benefits. You can ask to withhold 7%, 10%, 12%, or 22% of your monthly payments.

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Not adjusting retirement plan withdrawals after benefits begin

You may retire and start taking money out of your savings before you start collecting Social Security. But once you start getting benefits, it's a good idea to adjust your retirement plan withdrawals downward.

If you keep withdrawing at the same pace, you'll, of course, have a higher income. But you might also put your savings at a greater risk of running out.

It especially pays to reduce portfolio withdrawals during market downturns once you've started Social Security. If you're used to withdrawing $5,000 a month from savings but you start collecting $2,000 a month in Social Security, there's no reason not to reduce your distributions to $3,000.

Not checking your earnings records

Your Social Security benefits are based on two things: your filing age and your lifetime wage history. But if the Social Security Administration (SSA) has incorrect wage information on record for you, it could result in smaller monthly checks.

That's why it's important to create an account on SSA.gov and check your Social Security earnings statements. They should include a summary of your wages as well as an estimate of your monthly retirement benefit at different ages. If you see that your income was underreported for any given tax year, you can contact the SSA to resolve that discrepancy.

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Not understanding spousal and survivor benefits

If you worked enough and paid into Social Security, you may be eligible for retirement benefits. But your spouse may be entitled to Social Security even if they didn't work. Your actions, though, could impact spousal and survivor benefits, so it's important to know the rules.

For your spouse to claim spousal benefits from Social Security, you need to be receiving benefits yourself. You may be inclined to delay your claim for larger monthly checks. But if that forces your spouse to wait on Social Security, it could be a problem. That's something worth discussing jointly.

Similarly, if you pass away before your spouse, they'll generally be entitled to survivor benefits from Social Security that equal up to 100% of your monthly checks. But if you file for benefits early and shrink your monthly checks in the process, your surviving spouse's payments will be smaller, too. That's why it's important to look at the big picture and think about your household needs – not just your own needs – when filing for benefits.

Not understanding the earnings test

You're allowed to work and collect Social Security at the same time. But if you work and get benefits prior to full retirement age (FRA), you'll be subject to an earnings test. And earning too much money could lead to having benefits withheld.

The limits imposed by the earnings test change every year. In 2026, for example, you can earn up to $24,480 before having benefits withheld if you don't reach FRA by the end of the year, or $65,160 if you will reach FRA by the end of the year.

If you know your wages will exceed the threshold that applies to you, you can prepare for withheld benefits, so your budget isn't thrown for a loop. Or, you may specifically opt to keep your earnings below the applicable threshold.

Overestimating what Social Security will pay you

Many retirees rely heavily on Social Security to make ends meet. But you should know that your benefits might only replace about 40% of your paycheck if you earn an average salary.

The SSA says financial planners recommend having enough retirement income to replace 70% to 80% of your pre-retirement paycheck. If you don't make an effort to build savings for retirement and plan to live on Social Security alone, you could end up struggling.

Bottom line

Social Security may play a huge role in your retirement plans. So it's important to understand how the program works and what to expect in terms of income.

It pays to spend some time reading up on Social Security before you retire so you're clear on its rules. It could also make sense to sit down with a financial advisor and get recommendations on when to claim benefits based on your specific circumstances.

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