--- title: Social Security Planning description: Maximize your Social Security benefits with personalized guidance from Kershaw Retirement Solutions. Make informed claiming decisions with confidence. image: https://kershawretirement.com/hubfs/Plan%20Today.%20Retire%20with%20Confidence.%20(4).png --- [Skip to main content](https://kershawretirement.com/en-us/social-security-planning#main-content) Call Us Today. [636.778.0221](tel:6367780221) [![Kershaw Retirement](https://kershawretirement.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Black%20and%20Green.png?width=200&height=133&name=Black%20and%20Green.png) ![Kershaw Retirement](https://kershawretirement.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Black%20and%20Green.png?width=200&height=133&name=Black%20and%20Green.png)](https://kershawretirement.com?hsLang=en-us) - [Home](https://kershawretirement.com) - [Show submenu for About About](https://kershawretirement.com/en-us/about-us) - [Community Impact](https://kershawretirement.com/en-us/community-impact) - [Show submenu for Solutions Solutions](https://kershawretirement.com/en-us/retirement-planning) - [Retirement Planning](https://kershawretirement.com/en-us/retirement-planning) - [Social Security Planning](https://kershawretirement.com/en-us/social-security-planning) - [Medicare](https://kershawretirement.com/en-us/medicare) - [Insurance Solutions](https://kershawretirement.com/en-us/insurance-solutions) - [Supplemental Coverage](https://kershawretirement.com/en-us/supplemental-coverage) - [Federal Employee Benefits](https://kershawretirement.com/en-us/federal-employee-benefits) - [Resources](https://kershawretirement.com/resources) - [Educational Events](https://kershawretirement.com/events) - [Contact](https://kershawretirement.com/en-us/contact-us) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Home](https://kershawretirement.com) - Show submenu for About About - About - [About](https://kershawretirement.com/en-us/about-us) - [Community Impact](https://kershawretirement.com/en-us/community-impact) - Show submenu for Solutions Solutions - Solutions - [Solutions](https://kershawretirement.com/en-us/retirement-planning) - [Retirement Planning](https://kershawretirement.com/en-us/retirement-planning) - [Social Security Planning](https://kershawretirement.com/en-us/social-security-planning) - [Medicare](https://kershawretirement.com/en-us/medicare) - [Insurance Solutions](https://kershawretirement.com/en-us/insurance-solutions) - [Supplemental Coverage](https://kershawretirement.com/en-us/supplemental-coverage) - [Federal Employee Benefits](https://kershawretirement.com/en-us/federal-employee-benefits) - [Resources](https://kershawretirement.com/resources) - [Educational Events](https://kershawretirement.com/events) - [Contact](https://kershawretirement.com/en-us/contact-us) - [Make an Appointment](https://kershawretirement.com/en-us/contact-us) [Make an Appointment](https://kershawretirement.com/en-us/contact-us?hsLang=en-us) # Social Security Planning #### Maximize Your Benefits with Expert Guidance At Kershaw Retirement Solutions, we help Missouri and Illinois residents make informed decisions about their Social Security benefits. With a Registered Social Security Analyst (RSSA®) on our team, we offer professional guidance designed to help you get the most from your lifetime benefits. Social Security is a key part of your retirement income, but the rules can be complex. We’ll help you understand your options, timing and strategies so you can make confident choices that support your long-term financial plan. ![Senior couple looking at the camera at home](https://kershawretirement.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Senior%20couple%20looking%20at%20the%20camera%20%20at%20home.jpeg?width=1000&height=667&name=Senior%20couple%20looking%20at%20the%20camera%20%20at%20home.jpeg) ## What we can help with: ###### Determining the best age to start collecting Social Security ###### Coordinating spousal and survivor benefits ###### Maximizing Social Security income for couples and widows/widowers ###### Tax strategies to help reduce the impact of benefits on your Missouri retirement income ###### Integrating Social Security into your overall retirement plan ###### Avoiding common filing mistakes that could cost thousands over time ## Meet Tammy Kershaw Social Security is one piece of your retirement plan, but it's not the whole picture. Watch this short video to learn why coordinating your Social Security benefits with your retirement income, taxes, and overall financial strategy can make a meaningful difference.   [Make an Appointment](https://kershawretirement.com/en-us/contact-us?hsLang=en-us) [![FREE GUIDE DOWNLOAD Social Security can be complicated. Your decision doesn’t have to be.   Our free guide breaks down the key things you should know before claiming your benefits.  ](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/246124490/interactive-390832592587.png)](https://kershawretirement.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLJsMW3dMx5Zu8RZWovi%2BAWV4Nsh%2FojB%2BEpS3NKF%2BRheSR%2Bw%2FjMdlQAcXRnQHreayK4ng1kStOU%2BYptHx19rbFIoNl0bITMD%2FqCY4cws1XHdYvxFax2oOf%2BQAqHCKrwbuLTPm1YfSvlQrVC%2FMHBHxiE%2FW7i29VA%2F6pTgC%2FhAjTXhF9HJQMQSSTlG0sf4KGbXovNGc0PIy3oOw2GPHER3yMeRJ4GE24FD0akztcq3%2B6fnxfkfGw%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=390832592587&portalId=246124490&hsLang=en-us) ### Free Social Security Resources ![couple looking at a paper](https://kershawretirement.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-08-18%20at%2011.01.21%20AM.png?width=390&height=382&name=Screenshot%202026-08-18%20at%2011.01.21%20AM.png) ## Working With an RSSA® [Download](https://kershawretirement.com/hubfs/Benefits%20of%20Working%20with%20an%20RSSA.pdf?hsLang=en-us) ![calendar with date circled](https://kershawretirement.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-08-18%20at%2011.01.29%20AM.png?width=390&height=382&name=Screenshot%202026-08-18%20at%2011.01.29%20AM.png) ## Make the Optimal Decisions [Download](https://kershawretirement.com/hubfs/Make%20the%20Optimal%20Social%20Security%20Decisions.pdf?hsLang=en-us) ![chair in sand facing the water](https://kershawretirement.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-08-18%20at%2011.01.35%20AM.png?width=390&height=382&name=Screenshot%202026-08-18%20at%2011.01.35%20AM.png) ## Optimizing Your Income [Download](https://kershawretirement.com/hubfs/Optimizing%20Your%20Social%20Security%20Income.pdf?hsLang=en-us) ![blocks that spell facts](https://kershawretirement.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-08-18%20at%2011.01.41%20AM.png?width=390&height=382&name=Screenshot%202026-08-18%20at%2011.01.41%20AM.png) ## Myths Busted [Download](https://kershawretirement.com/hubfs/Myths%20Busted-1.pdf?hsLang=en-us) ![social security card](https://kershawretirement.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-08-18%20at%2011.01.47%20AM.png?width=390&height=382&name=Screenshot%202026-08-18%20at%2011.01.47%20AM.png) ## Maximize your Benefits [Download](https://kershawretirement.com/hubfs/Maximize%20Your%20SS.pdf?hsLang=en-us) ![disability benefits brochure](https://kershawretirement.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-08-18%20at%2011.01.53%20AM.png?width=390&height=382&name=Screenshot%202026-08-18%20at%2011.01.53%20AM.png) ## Disability Brochure [Download](https://kershawretirement.com/hubfs/RSSA%20Disability%20Brochure%20(1).pdf?hsLang=en-us) ![pension plan brochure](https://kershawretirement.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-08-18%20at%2011.01.59%20AM.png?width=390&height=382&name=Screenshot%202026-08-18%20at%2011.01.59%20AM.png) ## Pension Brochure [Download](https://kershawretirement.com/hubfs/RSSA%20Pension%20Brochure-1.pdf?hsLang=en-us) ![spousal & divorced benefits brochure](https://kershawretirement.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-08-18%20at%2011.02.04%20AM.png?width=390&height=382&name=Screenshot%202026-08-18%20at%2011.02.04%20AM.png) ## Spousal & Divorced Brochure [Download](https://kershawretirement.com/hubfs/RSSA%20SpousalDivorced.pdf?hsLang=en-us) ![lighthouse with sunset background](https://kershawretirement.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-08-18%20at%2011.02.10%20AM.png?width=390&height=382&name=Screenshot%202026-08-18%20at%2011.02.10%20AM.png) ## Survivor Brochure [Download](https://kershawretirement.com/hubfs/RSSA%20Survivor%20Brochure-1.pdf?hsLang=en-us)   ### Ready to Talk? Let’s Maximize Your Social Security Benefits. **Contact us** today to schedule a no-obligation consultation and complete the [New Client Intake form HERE](https://forms.office.com/r/TJTevGAMhE). [Book a Social Security Review](https://kershawretirement.com/en-us/contact-us?hsLang=en-us) [![Black and Green](https://kershawretirement.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Icons%20and%20Logos/Black%20and%20Green.png?width=200&height=133&name=Black%20and%20Green.png)](https://kershawretirement.com?hsLang=en-us) Plan Today. Retire with Confidence. - [Home](https://kershawretirement.com) - [About](https://kershawretirement.com/en-us/about-us) - [Solutions](https://kershawretirement.com/en-us/retirement-planning) - [Resources](https://kershawretirement.com/resources) - [Educational Events](https://kershawretirement.com/events) - [Contact](https://kershawretirement.com/en-us/contact-us) ©2026 Kershaw Retirement Solutions. All rights reserved. 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