7 Tips for Solo Retirees To Stretch Their Social Security Checks

If you're retired and on your own, whether you're widowed, divorced, or never married, there's no second Social Security check to lean on. One benefit has to cover rent or property taxes, groceries, health care, and everything else if it's your only income source.

While this can be challenging, with the average retired worker's check being $2,008.31 in August 2025, there are a handful of moves you can make that raise your net monthly cash, cut costs, and protect your benefit over time. Follow these seven tips to help stretch your retirement dollars further.

Delay claiming to boost your lifetime payout

Every month you wait past your full retirement age (FRA) grows your benefit, up to age 70. For those born in 1943 or later, the credit is 8% per year.

If your FRA benefit would be $1,800, waiting to 70 brings it up to $2,232, and that bigger base gets future COLAs too. Each year, Social Security adds a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), and for 2025, benefits rose 2.5%. The bigger your starting check, the larger the dollar increases later.

"Bundle" survivor or ex-spouse benefits when eligible

Solo doesn't always mean only your own record. Widowed or divorced-widowed adults can claim as early as 60 (or 50 if disabled). The amount ranges from 71.5% at 60 and up to 100% at FRA.

As with regular Social Security checks, claiming later means a larger check. If your marriage lasted 10+ years, you didn't remarry before age 60, and you're at least 62, you may be eligible based on your ex's record for divorced spousal benefits.

Importantly, "deemed filing" does not apply to survivor benefits, so widow/ers can take a survivor benefit first and file for their own later.

Keep Medicare from eating your raise

Most retirees have the Medicare Part B premium taken from Social Security, so controlling premiums effectively raises your net check.

In 2025, the standard Part B premium is $185 per month, and the deductible is $257. Higher-income retirees pay an income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA) that results in higher premiums. For 2025, additional charges start at $106,000 modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) for singles.

You can appeal IRMAA after life-changing events, such as retirement, using Form SSA-44. It's also worth checking Extra Help and Medicare Savings Programs, as they can lower drug and Part B costs if your income and resources qualify.

Cut fixed bills first

Housing is the biggest line item for older households, so even small cuts move the needle. Downsizing, getting a roommate, refinancing, or moving to a lower tax area can free up hundreds of dollars per month.

For example, if you manage to lower your housing costs by $300 per month, you've kept $3,600 per year, which is over 1.5 months of the average single retirement check. Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows housing is consistently the largest expense category in consumer budgets, so target it first. Also, ask your utility company for senior discounts and state energy-assistance programs.

Work part-time … carefully

Working can help you delay claiming or cover gaps, but be mindful of the Retirement Earnings Test if you're under FRA.

For those whose FRA is after 2025, you can earn $23,400 before the Social Security Administration (SSA) withholds $1 for every $2 earned above the limit. In the year you reach FRA, the higher limit is $62,160, with $1 withheld for every $3 earned over, and no limit after FRA.

Withheld benefits aren't gone forever. The SSA adds them back at FRA, and new wages can recompute your benefit higher. Plan side incomes around these thresholds.

Protect buying power from inflation

Social Security includes an automatic COLA. For 2025, checks rose 2.5%. That helps, but it may not fully match your personal inflation, especially medical costs, so layer in other protection.

Keep a small cash buffer for spikes, compare Part D plans annually, and consider investments designed to track inflation, such as Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities, alongside your risk tolerance. And remember, delaying claiming makes each future COLA apply to a larger base.

Keep other savings intact with a simple withdrawal plan

A steady plan helps you avoid selling investments at a bad time or accidentally pushing yourself into higher taxes and Medicare premiums. Spend from checking or cash first, then taxable accounts, then tax-deferred, while saving Roth for last-resort or late-life flexibility.

Before required minimum distributions kick in, consider small Roth conversions in low-tax years to reduce future taxable income that can raise both benefit taxes and IRMAA. Revisit annually, as prices, taxes, and health costs change.

Bottom line

Solo retirees have less margin for error, but you also have full control. Delay claiming if you can, keep taxes and Medicare premiums low, and cut fixed bills first. Add the right part-time work or side hustles without tripping the earnings test, and let COLAs and recomputations work in your favor.

Layer multiple tips, review your plans each year, and talk with a fee-only advisor or local State Health Insurance Assistance Program counselor for Medicare help. Doing so can help you maximize your retirement savings.