Get Started
Our consulting work is done in partnership with Macomb Income Tax. Click the button below to redirect to their website to book your services.
See our Frequently Asked Questions below on how to get started. If you have any questions, please email [email protected] and I will be happy to follow up with you!
What Information Do You Need to Get Started?
We need the most up to date information about your Social Security benefits. See the section below if you have not set up an account on SSA.gov. If you decide to work with us, we will provide directions on how to send that data over for our analysis.
How Does the Consulting Process Work?
Our fees are very transparent. We do hourly consulting for general questions and education. Most of our clients choose our package where we provide a full consultation to understand their circumstances along with a detailed report that shows various filing strategies and how they impact their monthly benefits. We want you to be very clear on your options and make an informed decision. There are always pros and cons to consider, so we want you to understand how those impact your final choices.
What If I Have a CPA or Financial Advisor?
We are happy to collaborate with you and your current advisor to gain clarity on your Social Security benefits. Even if your advisor is well-versed on the basics around Social Security, we can give an independent second opinion that can help you with your planning.
Do You Understand Special Needs Benefits?
We are passionate about serving the Special Needs community. Navigating the Special Needs maze is complicated and we want to help. Chris is very familiar with Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefits and how these apply to the entire family when it comes to Social Security planning. Many of our clients have circumstances where one spouse has worked outside the home while the other is a full-time caregiver to their child. Understanding that all of these family members may potentially be able to collect off of one Social Security record is critical to understand and is a major retirement planning issue that must be addressed.
Will Chris Present to My Group ?
Yes! Please send an email to [email protected]. Chris speaks to a variety of organizations around the country.
Checking Your Social Security Account
If you haven’t already done so, please set up your account on ssa.gov.
Here’s the current instructions as of this writing. It’s generally a quick and easy process, and now the only way to monitor and verify your benefits.
- Go to the SSA website: Visit ssa.gov/myaccount.
- Create an Account: Click the “Create an Account” button.
- Choose a Credential Service Provider: You’ll be redirected to either Login.gov or ID.me to create a credential.
- Login.gov: If you don’t have a Login.gov account, you’ll need to create one.
- ID.me: If you have an ID.me account, you can use that to access your Social Security account.
- Follow the Instructions: Follow the instructions on the Login.gov or ID.me website to create your account and verify your identity.
- Return to the SSA Website: Once you’ve created your credential, you’ll be redirected back to the Social Security webpage to complete the account setup.
- Secure Your Account: Choose your preferred method for verifying your identity when you sign in, such as multi-factor authentication.
- Use Your Account: Once your account is set up, you can use it to access various online services, such as checking your Social Security Statement, changing your address, and more.
Even though younger workers may have over 40 years before they collect their benefits, everyone should take a few minutes annually to double-check their statements.
Remember, there’s millions of people who end up on SSA benefits before they reach the age of 62. Since those benefits are dependent on the data at SSA, it’s imperative to make sure it’s accurate. This is especially true if you are married – it’s a protection for your family to verify this data. If you see a mistake, contact SSA immediately.