Former SSA analyst wins award for Social Security claiming study

Brian J. Alleva, a former Social Security Administration analyst, received the Financial Planning Association's 2026 Montgomery-Warschauer Award for his paper on Social Security claiming strategies for married couples, according to Financial Advisor Magazine. The paper, published in the Journal of Financial Planning in December 2025, used simulation, machine learning and data science to analyze optimal claiming combinations across spousal earnings and age scenarios. Alleva's prior work with the SSA found that married couples can face thousands of claiming-age combinations depending on their earnings history.

Social Security claiming is one of the highest-stakes decisions advisors help clients make, and spousal claiming multiplies the complexity. Research that turns thousands of permutations into practical guidance can sharpen retirement income plans for married couples.