Teamwork makes the check work
Social Security isn’t just an individual decision. For couples, it’s a strategic opportunity. When and how each partner claims can significantly affect household income, taxes, and long-term stability. The right plan can add thousands of dollars in lifetime benefits. The wrong one can leave money behind.
Here’s how couples can work together to turn Social Security into a smart part of their retirement income plan.
Understand your full retirement ages
Each partner has their own full retirement age based on birth year. It’s usually between 66 and 67. This is the age when you’re eligible for 100 percent of your earned benefit.
Knowing both of your full retirement ages is step one. It lays the groundwork for when to claim, how to coordinate, and how spousal or survivor benefits might come into play.
Consider claiming one benefit early and delaying the other
In some cases, it makes sense for one spouse to claim early while the other delays. This can help cover immediate income needs while allowing the delayed benefit to grow.
Each year you delay beyond full retirement age, your benefit increases by about 8 percent. That can create a larger benefit for you later — or for your surviving spouse if you pass away first.
Know how spousal benefits work
Spousal benefits can be up to 50 percent of the higher earner’s benefit if claimed at full retirement age. They do not increase past that age, so there’s no advantage to delaying them beyond that point.
You can’t receive a spousal benefit until your spouse has claimed their own benefit. And if your own benefit is higher than the spousal amount, you’ll get your own.
Plan for survivor benefits too
When one spouse dies, the surviving spouse may receive the higher of the two benefits — but not both. This is why it often makes sense for the higher earner to delay claiming. A larger benefit now can become a more substantial survivor benefit later.
It’s important to think about this now, not just after a loss. Survivor benefits can be a critical piece of long-term planning, especially for women, who statistically outlive their spouses.
Watch how your decisions affect taxes
Social Security income may be taxable depending on your combined household income. When both spouses are collecting, it can push you into a higher threshold. Strategic claiming — or staggering benefits — can help manage this.
Talk to a financial professional about how your Social Security plan fits into your broader income, withdrawal strategy, and tax situation.
Factor in age gaps and health differences
If one spouse is significantly older or has health concerns, the strategy might change. A younger or healthier spouse may benefit more from the delayed credits. A shorter life expectancy for one partner might suggest a different timing approach.
Don’t default to a one-size-fits-all strategy. Use your actual household picture.
Coordinate with other income sources
Social Security is just one part of your retirement plan. You may have pensions, retirement accounts, or rental income. The goal is to create a stable, sustainable income mix that reduces risk and lasts as long as you do.
Coordinating Social Security with other income sources can help you avoid dips in cash flow, limit tax surprises, and make the most of what you’ve saved.
Final thought
For couples, Social Security is not just a government check. It’s a shared opportunity. With a little planning and a lot of coordination, it can serve as the foundation for a retirement that feels secure and supported.
Talk through your options together, and don’t hesitate to get expert help. You only get one shot at claiming — make it count.
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