Most people understand that waiting to claim Social Security benefits can result in higher monthly payments. However, many are unaware that there are additional strategies for maximizing benefits, some of which depend on marital status.
Understanding these strategies begins with a review of the three basic types of Social Security 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 earning 40 credits. Earning the required 40 credits takes a minimum of 10 years 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, depending on the widow or widower’s age, up to 100% of the deceased spouse’s current benefit.1
The first and most straightforward strategy for maximizing your Social Security benefit is to wait until age 70 before claiming benefits. By delaying until age 70, your monthly benefit may increase by as much as 24%, not including any cost of living adjustments that may be applied.2
However, the best claiming age depends on many factors, including health, longevity, employment, cash flow, and family circumstances.
Benefit Maximization Strategies for Widows and Widowers
Remember, there is no spousal benefit for a widow or widower. Instead, a surviving spouse may qualify for a survivor benefit equal to as much as 100% of the deceased spouse’s benefit, compared with the 50% spousal benefit available while the working spouse is still living. Survivor benefits may begin as early as age 60, or even earlier depending on disability status or whether the surviving spouse is caring for a qualifying child.1
If you are widowed and have also earned at least 40 quarters of work credits, you may qualify for both a worker benefit and a survivor benefit. This provides several claiming options. One option is to file for whichever benefit provides the higher monthly payment.
Another option is to begin receiving your own worker benefit at age 62 and then switch to the survivor benefit once you reach full retirement age. This strategy may be beneficial if your own earnings history produced a smaller benefit than your deceased spouse’s. Because survivor benefits do not earn delayed retirement credits, there is generally no advantage to waiting beyond full retirement age to claim them.3
A third option is to begin receiving the survivor benefit at age 60 and then switch to your own worker benefit at age 70. This strategy provides income as early as possible while allowing your own retirement benefit to continue growing through delayed retirement credits until it reaches its maximum amount.
As you can see, there are several ways to potentially increase your Social Security benefits. The most appropriate strategy depends on the benefit amounts, claiming ages, employment, life expectancy, tax considerations, and other circumstances. These strategies may allow eligible individuals to maximize their lifetime benefits beyond simply delaying retirement benefits until age 70. At SHJ Wealth Advisors, we have helped clients navigate retirement for over 30 years. We are happy to guide you in maximizing Social Security and keeping you up to date on adjustments as we are notified. Please reach out to Info@shjwealthadvisors.com if you would like to find a time to meet with one of our CFP® Professionals and thanks for reading!
- SSA.gov, 2026
2. SSA.gov, 2026
3. SSA.gov, 2026
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