Couples Strategy 101: The Filing Combination That Protects Your Lifetime Income
Confused by Social Security?
If you’re married, deciding when to file is no longer an individual decision—it’s a household strategy. And the difference between “average” and “optimal” can exceed $150,000–$200,000 over your joint lifetimes.
The Higher Earner Should Usually Delay to 70
Why? Two reasons: It produces the highest guaranteed income stream in retirement, and it produces the highest survivor benefit.
The Lower Earner Often Files Earlier
The lower-earning spouse may file at 62 or FRA. This produces cash flow today while the higher benefit grows.
Your household filing decision is too important to guess.
Let’s create your custom couples strategy.
The Most Expensive Mistake Couples Make
Filing both benefits early. This creates lower income now, lower income later, and dramatically reduced survivor protection.
About Author
Ray R. Harris
Ray R. Harris, RSSA®, partners with tax and legal professionals to provide specialized Social Security claiming analysis for high-net-worth clients aged 58–70. A former executive with an MBA and background in Finance, Ray mitigates liability for his partners by ensuring their clients optimize spousal benefits, tax efficiency, and lifetime income.
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