Couples and Social Security: How to Maximize Benefits, Minimize Taxes, and Protect Each Other for Life

Coordinating Social Security benefits as a couple isn’t just about when you file—it’s about building a strategy that supports your lifestyle, minimizes taxes, and protects the surviving spouse in the years ahead. Whether you’re retiring together or decades apart in age, getting the timing right can be worth hundreds of thousands over your lifetime.

Why Social Security Coordination Matters
When you’re single, Social Security planning is personal. But for couples, it’s strategic. Every decision—when each spouse files, who delays, who claims early—has ripple effects on total household income, survivor benefits, and tax outcomes. The higher earner’s benefit often becomes the survivor’s income, making it crucial to think long-term.

Let’s break it down by situation.

If You Have Different Lifetime Earnings
For couples with one high earner and one lower-earning or non-working spouse, coordination is key. The higher earner should typically delay until age 70 to boost their benefit and lock in a stronger survivor benefit. Meanwhile, the lower earner can claim as early as 62, accepting a reduced benefit at first, with a spousal top-up coming later.

For example, the higher earner delaying to 70 might boost their benefit from $3,200 to $4,000/month. The lower earner might claim early at 62 and receive $630/month, later increasing to $1,600 when the spousal benefit kicks in. That difference compounds over decades and continues for the survivor.

If You Earn Similar Incomes
When both partners have comparable earnings, the spousal benefit is often irrelevant. Instead, consider staggering your claims: one spouse claims early to start the income flow, while the other delays for maximum benefit and long-term survivor protection.

Imagine one spouse claims at 65 for $2,167/month, while the other waits until 70 to collect $3,100/month. If the one who delayed passes first, the surviving spouse gets the higher $3,100 benefit. That’s a built-in safety net that can’t be matched by investments alone.

If You Have a Big Age Gap
Age-gap couples need a nuanced approach. If the older spouse is the lower earner, they might claim early to provide immediate cash flow. But if the older spouse is the high earner, they should consider delaying to 70—ensuring the younger partner receives a maximized survivor benefit for potentially decades after the older spouse passes.

For instance, an older spouse with a $1,000 benefit at full retirement age might claim at 64 for immediate income. The younger spouse, meanwhile, delays to 70 and locks in $4,200/month—life-changing income if the younger spouse outlives the other by 20+ years.

Delaying Benefits for Both Spouses
If you’re both in good health and have other income sources (like pensions, part-time work, or investment withdrawals), delaying both benefits to age 70 can create the most robust income floor. This strategy minimizes the chance of running out of money in later retirement and increases lifetime income through inflation-adjusted benefits.

Bonus: Delaying benefits can help keep you under IRMAA thresholds and give you time to perform tax-savvy maneuvers like Roth conversions before RMDs begin.

The Bridge Strategy: Pay Yourself Now, Claim Later
The Social Security bridge strategy is growing in popularity. Here’s how it works: instead of claiming early, use retirement savings (like IRAs or 401(k)s) to bridge the income gap until your delayed Social Security kicks in. It’s essentially self-funding your delay—and it works.

This strategy is especially effective for couples retiring at the same time but needing to stagger benefit claims. It’s not about giving something up; it’s about converting temporary withdrawals into long-term guaranteed income.

Don’t Forget the Tax Angle
Coordinating claims can help reduce taxes in retirement. Delaying benefits lowers your taxable income in the early years, giving you breathing room for Roth conversions or capital gains harvesting. It also reduces the chance that 85% of your Social Security will be taxed—something that happens when income crosses certain thresholds.

Retiring Together Doesn’t Mean Claiming Together
Couples often want to retire together emotionally—but claiming together financially might not be the smartest move. If one spouse is older or the higher earner, consider staggering the claims. Use bridge strategies and tailored timelines to optimize lifetime income and protect the survivor without sacrificing your shared lifestyle.

Next Steps: Treat It Like a Team Sport
Planning works best when it’s done as a team. Use Social Security calculators or professional software to run scenarios. Compare break-even ages. Look at life expectancy projections. Talk with a qualified financial advisor.

And most importantly—treat Social Security as part of your larger financial plan, not just a benefit to check off.

All writings are for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not provide investment or financial advice of any kind.