Proper coordination of spousal benefits could boost annual household income by up to $10,000, but most couples fail to optimize claims.
Married couples could increase annual Social Security income by as much as $10,000 through coordinated spousal benefit strategies, yet most do not claim them correctly. The lower earner can claim near full retirement age while the higher earner delays until 70, maximizing payouts.
Delaying the higher earner’s benefit to 70 adds approximately 24% before inflation adjustments and sets a permanent floor for the surviving spouse’s benefit. However, career gaps—filled with zeros in Social Security calculations—can significantly reduce benefits if not accounted for.
Most couples treat Social Security as two separate decisions, missing opportunities to align claims. Spousal benefits allow a qualifying spouse to receive up to 50% of the higher earner’s primary insurance amount, but these do not grow if delayed past full retirement age.