Medicare Answers
This video discusses when to take Social Security Retirement Benefits for the common case where a husband had higher earnings than the wife.
The strategy discussed here is to have the wife take reduced benefits early, while having the husband delay his receipt of retirement benefits.
The key here is that when the husband passes away first (a common occurrence), the wife will see a step up from her reduced benefits to her spouse's higher benefit level.
This also discusses a "File and suspend" strategy to maximize benefits.
Social Security Handbook
Comments
Why can't I earn my own
August 17, 2008 by Guest
Why can't I earn my own benefits that were earn by me? I have paid into Social Security scince 1969. It seems to be unfair that my husband can only receive his social security and I cannot receive what I have earned also.