When you decide to claim Social Security seems like an individual decision, but if you’re married, your choice doesn’t just affect you.
Your spouse may also get less money if you choose to sign up early
This doesn’t mean that applying for Social Security early is always the wrong decision. But you and your spouse should be familiar with the following two potential drawbacks before deciding whether it’s the right call for your family. 1. Reduced monthly benefits for your household Claiming Social Security early can reduce your monthly benefits by up to 30%.
That’s enough to drop the $2,081 average monthly benefit as of April 2026 to about $1,457 per month. This reduction is usually permanent. It’s possible you could lose even more if you’re still working and earn more than a certain amount from your job.