If you’re married (or widowed or divorced), Social Security isn’t just about your benefit; it’s about how your benefits work together as a couple.

And here’s the catch: the way you claim can have a lasting impact, not only on your income today, but on your spouse’s income down the road.

It’s one of the most important and most overlooked parts of retirement planning.

Why Spousal Benefits Matter

Social Security offers spousal benefits that can equal up to 50% of the higher earner’s benefit if claimed at full retirement age.

For many couples, this means the lower-earning spouse may be better off claiming a spousal benefit instead of their own, especially if their personal benefit is smaller.

On top of that, when one spouse passes away, the surviving spouse typically keeps the higher of the two benefits. That makes the higher earner’s claiming decision even more important.

Timing is Everything

For couples, the biggest decision is when each spouse should claim:

• Early (as soon as age 62): You get income sooner, but the benefit is permanently reduced.
• Full Retirement Age (66–67, depending on birth year): You get your standard benefit (or spousal benefit).
• Delay to 70: Each year you wait past full retirement age adds about 8% to your monthly check, which can make a huge difference for the higher earner and, later, for survivor benefits.

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This doesn’t mean everyone should wait until 70. But it does mean the decision should be made with both spouses in mind, not just individually.

Common Scenarios

Here are a few ways spousal coordination often plays out:

• Different earnings histories. If one spouse earned significantly more, it may make sense for the higher earner to delay benefits (boosting the survivor benefit) while the lower earner claims earlier.
• Health considerations. If one spouse has health issues or a shorter life expectancy, it might make sense to claim earlier rather than waiting.
• Cash flow needs. Sometimes income is needed sooner to cover expenses, in which case blending strategies (one spouse claims early, one delays) can provide balance.

The Bottom Line

Coordinating Social Security as a couple isn’t just about maximizing numbers; it’s about protecting income for both lifetimes.

The right strategy depends on your health, savings, retirement age, and income needs. But one thing is clear: deciding as a team, with an eye on survivor benefits, almost always leads to a better outcome than deciding in isolation.

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Thanks for reading!
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​Keeping wealth in focus,

The MY Wealth Management Team