When it comes to retirement planning, Social Security strategies for couples can make a significant difference in the total benefits you receive over your lifetime. Unlike individuals, married couples have multiple options for claiming benefits, including spousal and survivor benefits, that can be coordinated for maximum impact. Understanding how and when to claim can help you avoid costly mistakes and potentially increase your retirement income by tens of thousands of dollars. In this post, we’ll break down smart, effective strategies to help couples make the most of their Social Security benefits, secure long-term financial stability, and enjoy a more comfortable retirement.
Understand How Spousal Benefits Work
One of the most valuable Social Security strategies for couples involves taking full advantage of spousal benefits. These benefits allow one spouse to receive up to 50% of the other spouse’s full retirement benefit, even if they have little or no work history of their own. To be eligible, the lower-earning or non-working spouse must be at least 62 years old, and the higher-earning spouse must have already filed for their own benefits.
However, timing is critical. If the spousal benefit is claimed before full retirement age (typically between 66 and 67, depending on your birth year), the amount received will be permanently reduced. On the other hand, waiting until full retirement age ensures the spouse receives the maximum spousal benefit available—though unlike personal benefits, spousal benefits do not grow by delaying beyond full retirement age.
It’s also important to note that if both spouses are eligible for their own retirement benefits, the Social Security Administration will pay the higher of the two amounts—your own or your spousal benefit—not both. Coordinating who claims what and when can lead to a more optimized retirement income plan, making this one of the essential Social Security planning strategies for married couples.
The “File and Suspend” Strategy (Is It Still Available?)
In the past, one of the most popular Social Security strategies for couples was the "file and suspend" technique. This strategy allowed the higher-earning spouse to file for benefits at full retirement age and then immediately suspend them. By doing so, the lower-earning spouse could begin collecting spousal benefits while the higher earner continued to accrue delayed retirement credits, increasing their own benefit by up to 8% per year until age 70.
However, due to changes implemented by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, the file and suspend strategy is no longer available in the same way. As of April 2016, if a person suspends their benefit, all benefits based on their record—including spousal benefits—are also suspended. This effectively ended the ability to use file and suspend as a way to unlock spousal benefits while still allowing the primary earner’s benefit to grow.
While the original strategy is off the table, couples can still explore other Social Security optimization techniques, such as having one spouse delay benefits to maximize survivor benefits while the other collects their own reduced retirement benefit. Understanding the rules around suspending and delaying benefits is crucial for couples aiming to boost their total retirement income and avoid unintended reductions.
Maximizing Survivor Benefits
One of the most overlooked yet crucial Social Security strategies for couples involves planning for survivor benefits. When one spouse passes away, the surviving spouse is eligible to receive the higher of the two Social Security benefit amounts—either their own or their deceased spouse’s. This makes it incredibly important for the higher-earning spouse to consider delaying benefits to increase the potential survivor benefit.
If the higher earner waits until age 70 to claim Social Security, their monthly benefit can grow significantly due to delayed retirement credits. This larger benefit doesn’t just help during their lifetime—it also becomes the amount the surviving spouse can collect after their death. This strategy can be especially impactful in cases where one spouse expects to live significantly longer than the other or when there is a large income disparity between spouses.
Couples who ignore survivor benefits may unintentionally reduce the long-term financial security of the surviving spouse. By planning ahead and understanding how Social Security survivor benefits work, married couples can ensure they’re not leaving money on the table and are providing the best possible support for each other throughout retirement.
When Should Each Spouse Claim Benefits?
Deciding when each spouse should claim Social Security benefits is one of the most important parts of an effective retirement plan. For couples, this decision isn’t just about individual timing—it’s about coordination. The age at which each spouse claims can dramatically affect their combined lifetime benefits, especially when spousal and survivor benefits come into play.
In many cases, a smart strategy is for the higher-earning spouse to delay benefits until age 70. This allows their benefit to grow through delayed retirement credits, which in turn increases the future survivor benefit. Meanwhile, the lower-earning spouse can often start collecting their own reduced benefit earlier—such as at age 62—especially if the couple needs some income to cover living expenses.
Age gaps between spouses also affect strategy. For example, if one spouse is significantly older, it may make sense for the older spouse to delay filing, while the younger spouse claims earlier. These tailored approaches help maximize income over time and provide a form of longevity insurance, especially if one spouse lives well into their 80s or 90s.
Understanding the best time to claim Social Security requires considering health, life expectancy, financial needs, and long-term goals. Couples who coordinate their claiming strategy can unlock the full potential of Social Security benefits for married couples and avoid common timing mistakes that reduce total income.
Coordinating with Other Retirement Income
When planning Social Security strategies for couples, it’s essential to look beyond benefits in isolation and consider how they fit into your broader retirement income plan. Social Security should work alongside other sources of income—such as pensions, 401(k)s, IRAs, and annuities—to provide stability and tax efficiency throughout retirement.
For example, couples with substantial retirement savings might choose to delay Social Security and rely on withdrawals from their investment accounts in the early years of retirement. This approach can help maximize benefits by allowing one or both spouses to earn delayed retirement credits, boosting their future monthly checks. It also reduces Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) later on, which can lower tax liability and keep more income in your pocket.
Taxes are another key factor. Social Security income can become taxable depending on your total combined income, which includes withdrawals from retirement accounts and any part-time work. Coordinating your withdrawal strategy with your Social Security claiming plan can help you reduce taxes on Social Security benefits and keep your effective tax rate lower.
Ultimately, the most successful Social Security strategies for married couples are part of a comprehensive retirement income plan that balances timing, taxes, longevity, and lifestyle. Taking a holistic approach ensures that couples make the most of every dollar and avoid financial pitfalls down the road.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even with the best intentions, many couples make critical errors when it comes to Social Security planning—mistakes that can cost tens of thousands of dollars over the course of retirement. Avoiding these pitfalls is essential to maximizing Social Security benefits for couples and ensuring long-term financial stability.
One of the most frequent mistakes is claiming benefits too early. While it may be tempting to start collecting Social Security at age 62, doing so permanently reduces your monthly benefit. This decision not only affects your lifetime income but also lowers the survivor benefit your spouse could receive if you pass away first. In most cases, the higher-earning spouse should delay claiming as long as possible—ideally until age 70—to secure the highest possible benefit.
Another common error is failing to account for life expectancy. Couples often underestimate how long one or both of them may live. With one spouse potentially living well into their 80s or 90s, claiming early can result in reduced income during the years when it's needed most. This is why maximizing the higher earner's benefit can serve as a form of longevity insurance for the surviving spouse.
Lastly, many couples overlook the value of spousal and survivor benefits or assume they will automatically receive the maximum. In reality, eligibility requirements and claiming strategies play a big role. Not understanding the rules—or not coordinating benefit timing—can result in missed opportunities and lower payouts.
Being aware of these common Social Security mistakes for married couples can help you make informed, confident decisions that support both partners throughout retirement.
Conclusion
Choosing the right Social Security strategies for couples can significantly increase your retirement income and provide long-term financial security. By understanding how spousal and survivor benefits work, avoiding common claiming mistakes, and coordinating benefits with other retirement income sources, you and your partner can make smarter decisions that align with your financial goals.
The key is not to treat Social Security as a one-size-fits-all solution. Each couple’s situation is unique—factors like age differences, income disparities, health status, and overall savings all play a role in determining the best approach. Whether it’s delaying the higher earner’s benefits, using spousal benefits effectively, or minimizing taxes, thoughtful planning makes a substantial difference over time.
If you’re unsure where to start, consider using a Social Security calculator for couples or consulting a trusted financial advisor who specializes in retirement income planning. Taking the time to plan today can help you unlock more value from your benefits and enjoy greater peace of mind in the years ahead.
Ready to take control of your retirement plan? Don’t leave money on the table—explore your options and make the most of your Social Security benefits as a married couple.