Regarding the best time to begin your Social Security benefits, I feel that most debates exclude the value of assets you are drawing down instead of starting your benefits, perhaps as early as age 62.

Assuming you need additional funds to spend and the decision becomes draw more from your IRA or start your Social Security benefits – shouldn’t we assume the lost capital and growth from your IRA into your decision when most advisors almost always state that delaying benefits is best? For instance, I did some simple projections of earning 5-6% from an IRA while leaving that bucket of assets more intact to grow while starting Social Security benefits at age 62. Over 20+ years, the IRA was larger than if more was drawn out to delay benefit start date. I can share more detail, but I wanted to solicit some feedback on this general question. Thanks.