Social Security: Maximizing Benefits
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, depending on the widow or widower's age, up to 100% of the deceased spouse's current benefit.1
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 24%, not including any cost of living increases that may be added to this amount.2
Benefit Maximization Strategies for Widows and Widowers
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 or even earlier, depending on the widow/widower's disability status and whether or not they are caring for a child.1
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 with 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.3
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 FAQs
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Worker benefits are based on your own earnings history after earning enough work credits. Spousal benefits may allow a spouse to receive up to 50% of the working spouse’s benefit, while survivor benefits may allow a widow or widower to receive up to 100% of a deceased spouse’s benefit, depending on age and eligibility. Understanding these benefit types can help retirees make more informed claiming decisions.
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Yes. Delaying Social Security retirement benefits beyond full retirement age may increase monthly payments through delayed retirement credits. Many retirees who wait until age 70 can receive significantly higher monthly benefits compared to claiming earlier.
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Eligible widows and widowers may begin collecting survivor benefits as early as age 60, or earlier in certain disability or caregiving situations. The amount received depends on age and the deceased spouse’s benefit amount.
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Yes. In some cases, a surviving spouse may claim one benefit first and later switch to another. For example, someone may begin receiving survivor benefits early and later switch to their own worker benefit at age 70 if it has grown larger over time.
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No. Survivor benefits do not continue to grow after full retirement age through delayed retirement credits. Because of this, many widows and widowers choose to begin survivor benefits once they reach full retirement age if it makes financial sense for their situation.
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Marital status can play a major role in Social Security planning. Married couples, divorced individuals, widows, and widowers may all have different claiming options that can affect total lifetime benefits. Coordinating benefits carefully may help maximize retirement income.
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Social Security rules can be complex, especially when coordinating worker, spousal, and survivor benefits. A financial advisor can help evaluate claiming strategies, retirement income needs, taxes, and long-term financial goals to help retirees make more confident decisions.
1. SSA.gov, 2026
2. SSA.gov, 2026
3. SSA.gov, 2026
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. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG, LLC, is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. 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. Copyright 2026 FMG Suite.
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