How Couples Can Maximize Social Security Benefits Together

If you’re married and planning for retirement, coordinating your Social Security benefits can make or break your retirement income strategy. Social Security isn’t just about when you claim—it’s about how you and your spouse claim together. Whether you’re the higher earner, have a big age gap, or bring in similar incomes, the decisions you make can impact your financial future for decades.

The first step is understanding what’s at stake. Coordinating benefits means planning when each spouse will claim based on age differences, income histories, and survivor protection. Since the surviving spouse inherits the larger benefit, the higher earner should usually delay claiming until age 70. This locks in the maximum survivor benefit and ensures guaranteed income that keeps up with inflation. Meanwhile, the lower earner can file earlier or wait until full retirement age to receive spousal benefits—up to 50% of the higher earner’s full benefit.

If one spouse was the primary earner while the other had a lower income or stayed home, this is where smart timing matters most. The higher earner should delay until age 70, pushing their benefit from something like $3,200 to $4,000 per month. The lower earner could file early at 62 and receive a reduced benefit, say $630, then increase it later with the spousal top-up once the higher earner files, reaching as much as $1,600 per month.

For dual-income couples earning similar amounts, spousal benefits may not add much. In this case, the strategy is about income timing. One spouse might claim early to generate income right away—perhaps taking $2,167 monthly at 65—while the other delays until age 70, bumping their monthly payout to $3,100. This secures a larger survivor benefit and spreads out the tax liability.

Things get trickier when there’s a big age gap. If the older spouse is the higher earner, they should delay benefits to ensure the younger survivor gets the most. If the older spouse is the lower earner, they might claim early for immediate income while the younger, higher-earning spouse waits. For example, the younger spouse could grow their benefit to $4,200 per month while the older spouse draws a modest early claim, ensuring strong survivor support later on.

Another powerful tactic is using the Social Security bridge strategy. Rather than claiming early, couples can draw from retirement savings to cover expenses while delaying benefits. This not only results in a larger monthly check but can also open tax planning opportunities—like making Roth conversions or staying below IRMAA thresholds for Medicare premiums.

Even if you and your spouse plan to retire at the same time, that doesn’t mean you need to file for Social Security together. Staggering your claiming timelines can preserve income and ensure one spouse gets a higher benefit if the other passes away. This is especially important when one spouse has a shorter life expectancy or significantly lower earnings.

Don’t forget the key rules: to get spousal benefits, the higher earner must have already filed. Survivor benefits go to the spouse with the larger check, so delaying helps protect the household’s long-term income. Coordinating Social Security can also reduce your tax burden, avoiding sudden jumps in tax brackets or Medicare surcharges. Strategic withdrawals, Roth conversions, and tax gain harvesting all become more flexible when you control your Social Security timing.

To make the smartest choice, run projections together. Tools like online calculators or planning software can help you analyze different claiming ages, break-even points, and income scenarios. Then, weigh your current cash flow needs against the long-term value of guaranteed income. Make sure to include survivor protection in the plan so the surviving spouse is not left with a sharp drop in income. A qualified financial advisor can help you build the right strategy, giving you peace of mind that you’re making the most of your Social Security benefits—as a team.

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