Episode 117: Social Security Claiming Strategies and Tips for Married Couples

In this episode of One for the Money, we take a close look at one of the most important retirement decisions you can make: when to claim Social Security. While the timing can have a meaningful impact on your lifetime retirement income, too many people still make this choice without a clear strategy. We break down the key claiming ages, the tradeoffs between claiming early or delaying, and why the right decision should be based on your goals, income sources, life expectancy, and overall retirement plan.

We also explore research showing why delaying benefits can often create more long-term value than claiming early and investing the difference. In the Tips, Tricks, and Strategies section, we discuss how married couples should think about spousal benefits, survivor benefits, and how to coordinate claiming decisions to support long-term retirement income.

Key topics covered:

• When to claim Social Security and why timing matters.
• How claiming at 62, full retirement age, or 70 changes your benefit.
• Why many retirees leave money on the table by claiming too early.
• Research on the value of delaying benefits.
• Social Security strategies married couples may want to consider.
• How to think about survivor benefits and spousal coordination.

Why listen:

If you want a clearer framework for deciding when to claim Social Security, this episode offers practical guidance, planning considerations, and a few strategies that can help you make a more informed choice.