WASHINGTON, D.C. — Deciding when to claim Social Security retirement benefits remains one of the most critical financial choices facing older Americans, particularly for married couples navigating complex spousal rules.
In a recent national advisory release from the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC) Foundation, certified Social Security advisor Russell Gloor addressed common misconceptions surrounding spousal benefits, clarifying how timing, employment, and life expectancy intersect when making a claim.
One of the most frequent points of confusion for married individuals is whether they can choose to claim only a spousal benefit while letting their own retirement benefit grow. According to Social Security rules, individuals cannot “deem” or isolate a spousal benefit on its own.
When an individual files for Social Security, they are automatically applying for their own earned retirement benefit first. If their full retirement age (FRA) entitlement is less than 50% of their spouse’s FRA entitlement, Social Security adds a supplemental “spousal boost” to bring their total monthly check up to the full spousal rate.
However, taking benefits prior to reaching Full Retirement Age—which is age 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later—results in a permanent, actuarial reduction to both their personal benefit and the spousal boost. As a result, claiming early (such as at age 64) means receiving less than the maximum 50% of the working spouse’s FRA benefit.
Three Critical Factors to Evaluate
Before filing early, financial advisors recommend evaluating three specific personal circumstances:
- Current Work and Earnings Limits: Individuals who claim Social Security before reaching their FRA remain subject to Social Security’s annual earnings test. For early filers in 2026, the annual earnings limit is $24,480. Exceeding that threshold results in a penalty where Social Security withholds $1 in benefits for every $2 earned above the limit. Substantially exceeding the threshold can lead to temporary benefit suspensions until the worker reaches FRA or reduces hours.
- Survivor Benefit Strategy: If a lower-earning spouse expects their partner to predecease them, taking a reduced spousal benefit earlier may make strategic sense. Upon the higher-earning spouse’s passing, the surviving spouse’s monthly check converts to a widow or widower benefit, equal to 100% of the deceased spouse’s actual payment (provided the survivor has reached FRA).
- Personal Longevity Expectations: Health and family medical history play a central role. While average life expectancy for a 64-year-old woman is approximately 87, those with underlying health concerns or lower life expectancies may benefit more from claiming reduced payments sooner rather than waiting for full maturity at age 67.
For individual guidance or to submit questions regarding Social Security rules, the AMAC Foundation provides accredited advisory services online through the AMAC Foundation Advisory Portal.
To learn more about how Social Security calculates spousal and survivor benefits, watch Your Top Spousal Social Security Questions Answered, which provides an easy-to-understand breakdown of claiming strategies and earnings limit rules.
