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CWS Strategic Services LLC I help pre-retirees protect the people they love and create steady income so they can retire on their terms

10/17/2026

Turning 65 now comes with a new federal tax break. Here's what to know before you file. 👇

1. Age 65 or older by December 31 of the tax year: an extra $6,000 deduction
2. Married and both 65+? Up to $12,000 on a joint return
3. You get it whether you itemize or take the standard deduction
4. It phases out above $75,000 MAGI for single filers, $150,000 for joint filers
5. It's available for tax years 2025 through 2028 only
6. It's claimed on Schedule 1-A, so double-check it shows up on your return

Did you see it on your 2025 return? Tell us below.

Save this for tax season
Share it with someone turning 65 soon
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10/17/2026

When your spouse dies, Social Security doesn't fix your check for you. 📞

A surviving spouse can get the larger of the two benefits, but in many cases, only after applying. Here's how to protect each other now:

1. Know both benefit amounts. Each of you can check yours at your my Social Security account.
2. Make sure SSA is notified of the death. The funeral home usually handles this, but confirms it.
3. Call SSA to apply for survivor benefits right away. Back pay is limited, so waiting can cost real money.
4. Keep documents ready: death certificate, marriage certificate, and both Social Security numbers.
5. Know you get the larger check, not both. Household income drops, so plan for that gap.
6. Timing matters. Claiming survivor benefits before full retirement age means a reduced amount.
7. Think ahead while you're both here. When the higher earner delays claiming, the survivor benefit can be larger too.

Send this to your spouse. It's a two-minute conversation that could matter for decades.

Save this for your planning folder
Share it with your spouse or your parents
Follow for more of the retirement details nobody explains

10/16/2026

Collecting Social Security while continuing to work before reaching Full Retirement Age? Here’s what you need to know about the earnings limits. 💼

✏️ A quick clarification: The earnings limit permanently ends once you reach Full Retirement Age (FRA). Benefits withheld before then aren’t refunded as a lump sum. Instead, your monthly benefit is adjusted over time to account for the months benefits were withheld.

For 2026:
📌 Before the year you reach FRA: The earnings limit is $24,480. For every $2 you earn above that amount, Social Security withholds $1 in benefits.

📌 During the year you reach FRA: The limit increases to $65,160. Social Security withholds $1 for every $3 earned above the limit, counting only income earned before the month you reach FRA.

📌 After reaching FRA: There’s no earnings limit. Your monthly benefit is recalculated to account for months when benefits were withheld.

Remember, withheld benefits aren’t simply lost, but you won’t receive that money back as a direct refund. Instead, it may increase your monthly payments over time.

Are you already working while receiving Social Security, or are you planning when to claim? Share below! 👇

Save this before you claim early
Send it to someone planning to keep working
Follow for Social Security rules explained plainly

10/15/2026

What does the typical household actually have at your age? đź‘€

Want explanation?
Follow First, Comment “DONE” — Check Your Inbox! 📩

10/15/2026

8 signs you're officially living the retirement life. 📬

Trash day is your calendar. The server knows your order. 7pm is a late night. And yes, you've looked for your glasses while wearing them.

You spent decades planning for this. Enjoy every slightly confusing day of it.

Which number are you? Be honest. 👇

Save this for your retirement countdown
Send it to the retiree who checks the mail twice a day
Follow for retirement planning, with a little fun mixed in



This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered tax or legal advice. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal.

10/14/2026

This is how you protect your assets and transfer wealth.

Interested in putting this in place for you and your kid's?

Comment “Estate” below for my FREE Estate Planning Scorecard.

Make sure to watch this video 👉 https://www.instagram.com/reel/Deb4VqNjd-P/?psln=d2sxdmxzeGQzNGsy it could be valuable for you and your kid's!

Make sure you FOLLOW for more investing and wealth building tips

Planning to retire in the next 10 years? Before you retire, make sure you're not overlooking these 5 important things th...
10/14/2026

Planning to retire in the next 10 years?

Before you retire, make sure you're not overlooking these 5 important things that could affect your financial future.

I've put together a FREE Retirement Readiness Checklist to help you get started âś…

👇 Comment “READY” and FOLLOW my page, and I'll send you the checklist in your DMs

Save this post for later and share it with someone planning for retirement!

10/13/2026

Thinking about retirement?

🏡 These 10 states are worth considering if you want to retire comfortably without putting too much pressure on your finances

Which state would you choose for retirement? Let me know in the comments 👇

FOLLOW for more retirement planning tips, tax insights, and ways to make your retirement savings go further

10/13/2026

Don’t make this $100,000 mistake when leaving your home to your kids… ⚠️

Your home may be one of the biggest assets you’ll ever leave your children. But the way you plan your home inheritance could affect how much of that wealth your family ultimately keeps.

🏡 A living trust, proper estate planning, and understanding the stepped-up basis rule may help your family navigate probate and potentially reduce capital gains taxes when inherited property is sold.

Without a proper plan, your loved ones could face unnecessary legal complications, unexpected expenses, and costly mistakes.

The goal? Protect your family’s legacy and make passing down generational wealth a little easier.

💬 Comment “QUESTIONS” and I’ll share five questions to ask before hiring a financial advisor.

🤝 Follow for more financial education, estate planning insights, and wealth-building tips.

📌 Save this post and share it with a homeowner who wants to leave a lasting legacy.


You worked too hard for your retirement money to feel rushed into moving it.If someone has suggested moving your 401(k),...
10/12/2026

You worked too hard for your retirement money to feel rushed into moving it.

If someone has suggested moving your 401(k), IRA, TSP, or Roth savings, it’s okay to pause and ask:

“What would this actually mean for me?”

What would I pay in taxes and fees?
Could I access my money when I need it?
What benefits would I be giving up?

You deserve clear answers before making a decision.

Swipe through these three slides for a few important differences to understand before you move your money. 👉

What feels most confusing about retirement planning right now—taxes, income, or knowing which options to trust? Let me know below.

📩 Thinking about a change but unsure where to start? DM me “PLAN.” Let’s talk about your goals and the questions to work through with your tax professional.

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1902 Linden Avenue
Baltimore, MD
21217

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