Best age to claim Social Security if you are married
For many couples, the higher earner waiting longer is the key choice, because it sets what the surviving spouse keeps for life. In our example, a $2,800 earner who starts at 62 leaves a survivor $2,310 a month, and one who starts at 70 leaves $3,472.
Last updated: . Education, not financial advice.
The example couple
Both were born in 1962, so both have a full retirement age of 67. The higher earner has a full benefit of $2,800. The lower earner has $1,200.
Why the higher earner's age matters most
When one spouse dies, the survivor keeps the larger of the two checks. If the higher earner started early, the survivor still gets at least 82.5% of the higher earner's full benefit. If the higher earner waited, the survivor also gets the delayed credits.
| Higher earner starts at | Their own check | Survivor benefit at survivor full retirement age |
|---|---|---|
| Age 62 | $1,960 | $2,310 |
| Age 67 | $2,800 | $2,800 |
| Age 70 | $3,472 | $3,472 |
Source: Survivor benefits by age (opens in a new tab), Survivors benefits (opens in a new tab), Delayed retirement credits (opens in a new tab)
What the lower earner can add
The lower earner may get a spousal amount on top of their own check. It is half of the higher earner's full benefit ($1,400) minus their own full benefit ($1,200), and it is cut if they start before 67. The spousal amount starts only after the higher earner has filed.
| Lower earner starts at | Own check | Spousal added | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age 62 | $840 | $130 | $970 |
| Age 64 | $960 | $150 | $1,110 |
| Age 67 | $1,200 | $200 | $1,400 |
Source: Spousal benefit calculator (opens in a new tab), Full retirement age and reduction by claiming age (opens in a new tab)
Questions to talk through together
- Who is likely to live longer? The longer-lived spouse is the one who collects the survivor benefit.
- Could the lower earner start first, for income now, while the higher earner waits?
- How much income do you need before 70, and where will it come from?
- Is either of you still working? The earnings test can hold back checks before full retirement age.
Source: Earnings limits while you work (opens in a new tab), Survivors benefits (opens in a new tab)
The free guide on this site looks at your own numbers and asks about your spouse. Try it.
Common questions
Does a spouse need to wait for the other to claim?
For a spousal benefit, yes: it starts only after the worker has filed. Each spouse's own retirement benefit can start on its own.
What does a surviving spouse get?
Up to 100% of what the deceased was getting. In this example, $2,800 a month after a higher earner who started at 67.
Can a couple both claim at 62?
Yes. In this example the lower earner then gets $970 a month including the spousal amount, but both checks are smaller for life.
Sources
- Survivor benefits by age (opens in a new tab)
- Survivors benefits (opens in a new tab)
- Spousal benefit calculator (opens in a new tab)
- Delayed retirement credits (opens in a new tab)
- Full retirement age and reduction by claiming age (opens in a new tab)
- Earnings limits while you work (opens in a new tab)
Keep reading
Want the numbers for your own situation?
Answer a few questions and see your amounts at 62, full retirement age and 70. It is free, and we never ask for your Social Security number.
Wait or Claim is independent. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to the Social Security Administration or any government agency. We give education, not financial, tax or legal advice. Check your own facts with Social Security (ssa.gov) before you file.