Show Notes
5 Questions BEFORE You Claim Social Security &
College vs. Retirement Savings
Should you claim Social Security early or wait? While the math says waiting guarantees a bigger check, the real answer goes far beyond the numbers. In this episode, Wes Moss breaks down how to determine the right Social Security claiming age for your specific lifestyle, health, and portfolio. Also, Wes shares ideas to help you balance saving for your kid’s college without ruining your own retirement.
Plus, Christa shares your #AskWes questions and Wes gives his take. All this and more on the August 4, 2026, Ask an Advisor episode of the Clark Howard podcast. Submit your questions: WesMoss.com/ask
We hope you enjoy our weekly Ask An Advisor episodes. Let us know what you think in the comments!
Mentioned on the show:
When Is the Best Time To Collect Social Security? - Clark Howard
The Math On When You Break Even With Social Security
If You Have Enough To Retire Comfortably, Should You?
How To Balance College Savings and Retirement - Clark Howard
Clark Howard: Avoid This Costly College Debt Mistake
Learn more about Wes:
BOOKS BY WES MOSS
Wes Moss, CFP®
Wes Moss - Clark.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
More from The Clark Howard Podcast
Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also, - how do we teach our kids and young adults about money? Managing money was simple just a few decades ago: cash was king, consumer choices were limited, and savings accounts earned fixed interest rates. Today, we live in the most over-stored country in the world, surrounded by endless retail options, online shopping, and digital payment methods like Venmo and Cash App. Money has become frictionless and abstract, making it easier than ever for young people to fall into financial traps like recurring subscriptions and impulse spending. Because the modern financial world is vastly more complex, parents can no longer rely on kids picking up smart money habits by osmosis – active teaching while they are still under your roof is essential, as Clark explains.
Winter heating bills won’t be pretty, especially in markets that rely on oil for heat. What can you do now to prepare? Taking control of monthly expenses comes down to knowing where the real price traps are hiding. Clark unpacks the latest updates on winter heating trends and shifting food prices to help you make smarter financial decisions.
Rapid Fire Q&A: Roth Conversion Traps, RMD Spending Rules, & Switching Careers To Finance
Artificial intelligence is creating unprecedented risks for your retirement savings, with AI-driven fraud causing massive financial losses across the country. Deepfakes and voice-cloning technology have become so advanced that scammers can effortlessly mimic real people, leaving brokerage firms and financial institutions vulnerable to fraudulent transfer instructions. Clark has recommendations to help secure your life savings.
Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks.