Social Security

Most understand that waiting to claim Social Security benefits can result in higher monthly payments. However, many don’t know that there are other ways to maximize their benefits, some of which depend on their marital status.

Understanding the strategies for maximizing your Social Security retirement income benefits should be prefaced with a review of the three basic forms of retirement benefits:

The Worker Benefit: This is the benefit you receive based on your own personal earnings history, and for which you become eligible after 40 quarters of work.

The Spousal Benefit: This is the benefit paid to your spouse. For non-working spouses, this is 50% of the working spouse’s benefit. For working spouses, it is the greater of the benefit earned from his or her earnings or 50% of the worker’s benefit.

The Survivor Benefit: This is the benefit paid to the surviving spouse, which is paid at a rate equal to the greater of his or her own current benefit, or the deceased spouse’s current benefit.

The first and most obvious strategy for maximizing your Social Security benefit is to simply wait to reach age 70 before beginning to take benefits. By waiting until age 70 to receive benefits, your monthly payments may increase by 32%, not including any cost of living increases that may be added to this amount.

For divorced spouses, you can file a restricted application for a spousal benefit once you reach full retirement age, as long as you were born in 1953 or earlier and your former spouse is 62 or older at the time of your application. You can then delay receiving benefits under your own work record, allowing your delayed retirement credits to build. At age 70, you can switch over to your worker benefit, assuming it is higher than the spousal benefit you’ve been receiving.

Remember, there is no spousal benefit for a widow/widower, but he or she does qualify for a survivor benefit that is equal to 100% of the deceased spouse’s benefit (versus the 50% spousal benefit if the working spouse is still alive). This survivor benefit is available at age 60.**

If you are widowed and also have worked for 40 quarters, you will have a worker benefit and a survivor benefit. This presents you with several choices. One choice is to file for the benefit that provides you the greatest monthly benefit amount.

Another choice may be to start your worker benefit at age 62 and then switch to the survivor benefit once you reach full retirement age. This option is advantageous in instances where the widowed spouse did not accumulate the same level of benefits as the deceased spouse. Choosing this option allows the surviving spouse to take the higher survivor benefit amount. Because there are no delayed retirement credits earned on survivor benefits, there is no advantage to waiting past full retirement age to apply for survivor benefits.

A final choice is to consider starting the survivor benefit at age 60 and then switching to your own worker benefit at age 70. This strategy allows you to begin receiving income based on the survivor benefit as early as possible and provides you time to build up the maximum worker benefit.

As you can see, there are ways you can potentially raise your Social Security benefits. These strategies can help you maximize your benefits beyond what is available to those who simply delay retirement to age 70.

*Social Security Administration, September 2015
**Social Security Administration, September 2015

The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security.

Social Security provides the income stability that many retirees are looking for in retirement. Because of the complexity, there are many important individual decisions that need to be made to choose the best option for you. We have put together an informative brochure that helps you answer the following questions.

1. What is your Social Security amount?
   
2. When is the best time to start taking your Social Security Benefit?
   
3. Are there different options if you are married?
   
4. Is there an impact of earning additional income when you are receiving your benefit?
   
5. How much tax are you paying on your Social Security?
   
6. Are you concerned about the amount of retirement income you will be receiving?
   

Disclaimer:

We are not affiliated with the Social Security Administration. The information below is for educational purposes only. The articles have been written by numerous sources and updates occur frequently. You should always verify any details before starting your social security benefits. You should speak with your local social security department when applying for benefits. We hope some of the information we have provided will assist you with your particular situation.

Social Security Review