Social Security Claiming Strategies for Married Couples
When and how to claim Social Security is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make in retirement—especially if you’re married. Claiming too early or without a plan can cost you tens of thousands of dollars over time.
Let’s look at how married couples can make the most of their Social Security benefits.
The Basics of Social Security
Social Security provides monthly income based on your work history and how much you earned. The longer you wait to claim (up to age 70), the higher your monthly check.
- You can start as early as age 62 (but you’ll get less)
- You get your full benefit at “Full Retirement Age,” which is between 66 and 67 depending on your birth year
- You get a bigger benefit for waiting past Full Retirement Age—about 8% more per year until age 70
Why Timing Matters for Couples
When both spouses are eligible for benefits, you have more options—and more potential pitfalls.
Here’s why it matters:
- Spousal benefits: One spouse can receive up to 50% of the other’s benefit if they don’t have enough work history on their own.
- Survivor benefits: When one spouse dies, the survivor keeps the larger of the two benefits.
- Delaying one spouse’s benefit can increase income and protect the surviving spouse later.
Common Strategy: One Early, One Late
A common approach is to have the lower-earning spouse claim early, providing some income, while the higher-earning spouse waits until age 70 to get the biggest benefit.
This strategy:
- Creates income early in retirement
- Boosts lifetime benefits
- Provides a higher survivor benefit for the remaining spouse
What to Consider
Before deciding, look at:
- Age differences between spouses
- Health and life expectancy
- Other sources of income or pensions
- Whether either spouse has a government pension (like TRS), which may reduce benefits due to the Government Pension Offset or Windfall Elimination Provision
Don’t Forget About Taxes
Social Security benefits may be taxable depending on your other income. Up to 85% of your benefit could be taxed if your income is above certain levels.
Planning withdrawals from your retirement accounts and using Roth conversions may help you reduce those taxes.
The Bottom Line
Claiming Social Security is not just about when you turn 62—it’s about creating the best plan for your household. A thoughtful strategy can mean more income, lower taxes, and greater security in the years ahead.
Want to build a Social Security strategy that fits your retirement plan? Schedule a free consultation today and let’s get started.
*We believe the information provided is accurate, but it’s not intended as tax or legal advice and shouldn’t be used to avoid federal tax penalties. For guidance on your specific situation, please consult your own tax or legal advisor. If you’re doing estate planning, it’s important to work with professionals, including your attorney or tax expert. This content does not include specific investment advice or recommendations to buy or sell any securities. Also, while strategies like asset allocation and diversification can help manage risk, they do not guarantee profits or protect against losses in a declining market.
