AI Summary
5 min readWhen Wes Moss asks retirees to list their core pursuits—the activities that give structure and purpose to their non-working years—he has found a clear dividing line. The happy group lists five or more. The unhappy group lists four or fewer. That single data point anchors a conversation that ranges from when to take Social Security to how much to save for college, all organized around a central insight: financial decisions are rarely just about the math.
Beyond the Social Security Maximization Trap
The standard advice about Social Security is simple: wait until age 70 to get the highest possible monthly check. Each year you delay beyond 62 increases the payment by roughly 7 to 8 percent, a guaranteed return that is hard to beat. But Moss argues that maximization and optimization are different things. "For the vast majority of people, it's not about just maximizing, it's about optimizing," he says. "It is about taking social security when it works for you."
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What you'll learn
- 1 (01:38) **Social Security: Beyond the Math** - Wes introduces a framework for deciding when to claim Social Security that goes beyond simple maximization.
- 2 (05:56) **Five Variables for the Right Claiming Age** - A detailed breakdown of each factor that should influence your Social Security decision.
- 3 (11:27) **Listener Question: Tax Rates & National Debt** - Kat D in California asks Wes to explain his view that income tax rates won't rise significantly.
- 4 (14:50) **Core Pursuits: How Many and How Specific?** - Brian in Virginia asks how finely to slice hobbies and whether diversity of pursuits matters for retirement happiness.
- 5 (18:55) **Introvert Challenge: Three Core Pursuits** - Wendy in Texas pushes back, saying she's happy with just three pursuits as an introvert.
- 6 (24:28) **Saving for College vs. Retirement** - Wes addresses the classic tug-of-war between funding your child's education and securing your own retirement.
- 7 (26:10) **The "Split the Check" Strategy for College** - A practical framework for making college affordable without sacrificing retirement.
+ Full timestamped outline available in the app
Guests on this episode
Show Notes
5 Questions BEFORE You Claim Social Security &
College vs. Retirement Savings
Should you claim Social Security early or wait? While the math says waiting guarantees a bigger check, the real answer goes far beyond the numbers. In this episode, Wes Moss breaks down how to determine the right Social Security claiming age for your specific lifestyle, health, and portfolio. Also, Wes shares ideas to help you balance saving for your kid’s college without ruining your own retirement.
Plus, Christa shares your #AskWes questions and Wes gives his take. All this and more on the August 4, 2026, Ask an Advisor episode of the Clark Howard podcast. Submit your questions: WesMoss.com/ask
We hope you enjoy our weekly Ask An Advisor episodes. Let us know what you think in the comments!
Mentioned on the show:
- When Is the Best Time To Collect Social Security? - Clark Howard
- The Math On When You Break Even With Social Security
- If You Have Enough To Retire Comfortably, Should You?
- How To Balance College Savings and Retirement - Clark Howard
- Clark Howard: Avoid This Costly College Debt Mistake
Learn more about Wes:
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