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The retirement domain emphasizes integrating guaranteed income, portfolio withdrawals, longevity risk, and survivor benefits. Optimal Social Security strategy typically centers on the higher earner delaying to increase the lifetime inflation-adjusted benefit and survivor benefit; delayed retirement credits significantly boost the primary insurance amount each year after FRA up to age 70. Coordinating spousal timing can tailor cash flow while still protecting longevity and survivor outcomes—hence C. Option A sacrifices lifetime value; early claiming permanently reduces benefits and survivor payouts, which is often suboptimal for average or longer life expectancies. Option B ignores individualized needs; while delaying often increases expected lifetime value, blanket advice without considering cash flow, health, and portfolio sequence-of-returns risk is inconsistent with fiduciary planning. Option D is similarly inflexible; FRA is not “always optimal.” The curriculum stresses scenario analysis, breakeven ages, and coordinating Social Security with withdrawal strategy (e.g., using portfolio assets or part-time work to bridge deferral), all in the context of client health, longevity expectations, and behavioral preferences. Thus, C aligns best with comprehensive, individualized planning.