Good morning, Retirement Starts Today Community! Welcome to Every Day is Saturday, the newsletter reminding us that in retirement, every day is Saturday (including Thursday mornings).

​​Click here to view a recent video from my YouTube channel about how
​I Studied 2.5k Retirees, Here's Why You Should Retire ASAP

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Episode Breakdown:

00:00 – Welcome and Introduction
​01:25 – Retirement Headline
​11:30 – Listener Question

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Retirement Headline

“This Social Security Strategy Gives Retirees More to Spend”​
(ThinkAdvisor summary of Bipartisan Policy Center research)

Retirees who use a bridge strategy—spending from savings or part-time income early so they can delay Social Security—can spend more in retirement and need fewer assets to retire securely. By bridging to age 70, retirees lock in a larger, inflation-adjusted benefit that provides powerful longevity protection.

Financial Independence vs. Financial Freedom

In my view, retirement planning isn’t about isolated choices—it's about arranging all your moving parts to work together.
Social Security, portfolio withdrawals, part-time work, home equity, and Medicare all belong on the same whiteboard.

Directionally, we want to delay Social Security as long as possible, especially for the higher earner since the big check stays. But tactically, we use it as a pressure-release valve—if the market drops and your guardrails flash “reduce income,” you can instead turn on Social Security and keep enjoying life without cutting back.

Key Takeaways:

• A bridge strategy uses savings to cover spending while delaying Social Security to increase lifetime income.
• Delaying Social Security grows benefits roughly 5%–8% per year between full retirement age and 70.
• It’s often better to spend a 3–5% yielding bond today to grow an 8% lifetime benefit tomorrow.
• A retiree earning $66k who waits until 70 can increase monthly benefits by about $2,200 vs. claiming at 62.
• The main challenge isn’t math—it’s behavior. Watching your balance go down feels wrong even when it’s smart.

In short: A well-planned bridge can help you spend more now and worry less later.

Listener Question: “What’s the difference between a 5-year MYGA and a 5-year SPIA?”

You’re right—the terminology gets muddy. Here’s how I break it down:

• MYGA (Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity) = Accumulation.
  Works like a bank CD with a fixed rate for a set term (say 5%). Interest compounds tax-deferred, and you decide what to do at maturity.
• SPIA (Single Premium Immediate Annuity) = Distribution.
  You hand the insurer a lump sum and they start sending guaranteed payments—monthly or annually—right away.

That distinction matters if you’re under 59½.
A SPIA can qualify for 72(t) SEPP treatment (substantially equal periodic payments), helping avoid the 10% penalty.
A MYGA, by contrast, doesn’t pay out until the end, so it usually doesn’t qualify.

For early retirees:

• Need checks now? SPIA.
• Just parking cash? MYGA.

Both can fit in a retirement income plan, but they solve very different problems.

Resources

• ​Click here to view my YouTube channel, Even Better Retirement
• ​Click here to order my book, Retirement Starts Today: Your non-financial guide to an even better retirement
• ​Click here to read, This Social Security Strategy Gives Retirees More to Spend at ThinkAdvisor

I need your help...

I will be starting a new segment on my podcast: Retire TO something, not FROM something.

The segment will be brief at the end of the show and will share a fun retirement idea, along with links to learn more. Volunteer work and part-time “fun” jobs will be a common theme.

​Click here to share your ideas!

That's it for our four hundred and fifth installment of "Every Day is Saturday." As always, I read (and usually reply to) every listener email. Got a question? Hit reply—you just might hear your name on the show.

Enjoy your “Saturday,”
​Benjamin Brandt

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