Social Security filing strategy risks: Lower-earning spouse filing early while higher earner waits until 70

The biggest consideration is survivor benefits. If you're the lower earner and you claim early, it only permanently reduces YOUR benefit. If your husband passes away first, you would step up to his higher benefit amount regardless of when you claimed your own. BUT if YOU pass away first, he would NOT get your smaller benefit. For most couples where there's a significant difference in benefit amounts, this strategy makes mathematical sense. The only major downside is that you're locking in a permanent reduction to your own benefit. Consider whether you can afford the reduced amount if your husband passes away first and it takes some time for survivor benefits to kick in.

Do u know how big the penalty is for claiming early? My wife claimed at 62 and got hit with like a 30% reduction FOREVER. Thats HUGE! Nobody told us that before she filed!!!

One thing that often gets overlooked is how this impacts Medicare premiums later. If you have substantial other income (investments, 401k withdrawals, pensions), filing early could push you into higher IRMAA brackets sooner, increasing your Medicare costs. Also, if you're still working part-time, remember the earnings limit - if you earn above $21,240 in 2025 while collecting benefits before FRA, SSA will withhold $1 for every $2 you earn above that limit. Since you were laid off, the earnings limit might not be an issue, but still worth considering if you plan to work again. The tax implications around Social Security can be complex especially when combined with other income sources.

I'm in a similar situation and tried calling SSA multiple times to ask these exact questions, but I kept getting disconnected or waiting for hours! So frustrating!!! Finally found a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual person at SSA in under 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU The agent I spoke with confirmed that filing early as the lower earner generally doesn't impact survivor benefits later on, which was my main concern. Such a relief to get a definitive answer from SSA directly!

This is a common strategy that generally works well mathematically, but there are nuances worth considering: 1) Spousal benefits - If your husband's benefit is significantly higher, you might be eligible for spousal benefits when he files. If you've already claimed early, your spousal benefit would be reduced. 2) Widow(er) benefits - If your husband passes away, you'd receive his full benefit amount in place of yours (assuming it's higher). Your early filing doesn't reduce widow benefits. 3) Longevity analysis - This strategy works best if the higher-earning spouse lives a long time, maximizing the value of their delayed credits. If the higher earner passes away relatively early, waiting until 70 may not have been optimal. 4) Financial need - Sometimes the best theoretical strategy isn't practical due to current financial needs. I recommend looking at a Social Security calculator that can model your specific situation. The SSA website has one, or financial planners often have more sophisticated tools.

I did exactly what your considering! Filed at 63 while my husband waited till 70. Two years in and i regret it!! My check is so small after Medicare premiums, and we didn't realize how the tax situation would work with his income. Now my entire SS gets taxed at the highest rate because of our combined income. Should have just waited and lived off more savings instead.

This brings up an important point about taxation. Up to 85% of your Social Security benefits can be taxable if your combined income (adjusted gross income + nontaxable interest + half of your Social Security benefits) exceeds certain thresholds. For married couples filing jointly, if combined income exceeds $44,000, up to 85% of benefits are taxable. So if your husband has substantial income from other sources, most of your SS benefits would be subject to income tax regardless of when you file. This is one of those details that can make a significant difference in the actual take-home value of your benefits that many advisors don't fully explain.

wait a sec... what about if the person who files early dies first? does that mess things up for the surviving spouse?

Thank you all for these responses - they've been incredibly helpful. I'm going to hold off on filing for now and do more research into the spousal benefit implications and tax situation. I think we need to run some actual numbers and maybe consult with a financial advisor who specializes in Social Security strategies. It seems like the standard advice isn't necessarily wrong, but there are all these little gotchas around Medicare premiums, tax implications, and spousal benefits that could make a big difference for our specific situation. I appreciate everyone sharing their experiences!