Claim Social Security Early, Leave the IRA Until 73. That's the Order Most Retirees Use. Reversing It Is Worth Real Money Over a 20-Year Retirement

The article argues that the “default” retirement strategy—claim Social Security at 62, keep the IRA untouched to compound, then rely on required minimum distributions at 73 under SECURE 2.0—can leave households with materially lower after-tax income. It says the untouched IRA grows into larger taxable RMDs that stack on top of Social Security, pushing retirees into higher marginal brackets. The piece cites bracket thresholds for joint filers in 2026 and highlights potential Medicare IRMAA premium jumps once modified adjusted gross income crosses key levels. It recommends reversing the sequence: draw down the IRA before claiming Social Security and delay benefits past full retirement age, noting benefits can rise 8% per year up to 70.