No Result
View All Result
SUBMIT YOUR ARTICLES
  • Login
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
TheAdviserMagazine.com
  • Home
  • Financial Planning
    • Financial Planning
    • Personal Finance
  • Market Research
    • Business
    • Investing
    • Money
    • Economy
    • Markets
    • Stocks
    • Trading
  • 401k Plans
  • College
  • IRS & Taxes
  • Estate Plans
  • Social Security
  • Medicare
  • Legal
  • Home
  • Financial Planning
    • Financial Planning
    • Personal Finance
  • Market Research
    • Business
    • Investing
    • Money
    • Economy
    • Markets
    • Stocks
    • Trading
  • 401k Plans
  • College
  • IRS & Taxes
  • Estate Plans
  • Social Security
  • Medicare
  • Legal
No Result
View All Result
TheAdviserMagazine.com
No Result
View All Result
Home Market Research Money

7 Spousal-Benefit Choices That Add Up to Five Figures Over Time

by TheAdviserMagazine
4 weeks ago
in Money
Reading Time: 3 mins read
A A
7 Spousal-Benefit Choices That Add Up to Five Figures Over Time
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LInkedIn


Image Source: 123rf.com

Social Security spousal benefits provide important income for many households. But the rules are complicated, and missteps add up over decades. Retirees often leave thousands on the table by not coordinating properly. Even small choices ripple into big lifetime changes. Here are seven spousal-benefit choices that can add up to five figures over time.

1. Claiming Too Early

Spousal benefits, like worker benefits, shrink when claimed before full retirement age. Retirees lose significant monthly income permanently. Waiting until FRA protects the payout. Patience adds five figures over decades. Early claiming is the most common mistake.

2. Overlooking Delayed Credits for the Worker

Spouses can only receive benefits after the primary worker files. If the worker delays until 70, the spousal benefit also rises. Retirees who coordinate claims maximize household income. Delays compound the gains. Coordination matters more than convenience. Too many couples rush to file early, missing out on thousands in lifetime benefits. Understanding how credits boost not just the worker’s check but the spouse’s is key to building long-term financial security.

3. Ignoring the 50% Limit Rule

Spousal benefits max out at 50% of the worker’s FRA benefit. Retirees sometimes expect more and are disappointed. Misunderstanding this rule leads to poor planning. Knowing the limit avoids false assumptions. Clarity prevents shortfalls. Couples should also remember that claiming before full retirement age reduces the spousal benefit further. Understanding the ceiling and timing rules helps households build realistic retirement income projections.

4. Missing Survivor Benefit Opportunities

When one spouse dies, the survivor can claim the higher of the two benefits, ensuring income stability. Retirees who don’t plan around survivor benefits risk leaving partners short or struggling financially. Strategic timing of when each spouse claims creates lasting protection. Survivor benefits can mean tens of thousands more over a lifetime, especially when paired with delayed retirement credits. Couples who ignore this option often forfeit a powerful safety net that could preserve financial security well into advanced retirement years.

5. Not Considering Age Differences

Age gaps between spouses change filing strategies. Retirees often forget that younger spouses may wait years longer to claim. Planning accounts for this difference. Coordinated timing avoids wasted income. Age gaps demand special attention.

6. Divorced Spousal Benefits Overlooked

Divorced spouses who were married at least 10 years may qualify for Social Security benefits based on their ex-spouse’s record. Many don’t realize this option exists, assuming divorce severs all ties. Retirees who miss it often forfeit hundreds of dollars monthly, adding up to tens of thousands over a lifetime. The rules are clear: claiming divorced spousal benefits doesn’t reduce the worker’s check, nor does it affect the ex-spouse’s new family. In fact, multiple former spouses can claim simultaneously if eligible. Overlooking this opportunity leaves valuable income on the table—money that could ease retirement expenses and boost long-term security.

7. Failing to Update After Law Changes

Social Security rules evolve, and spousal strategies must adapt. Retirees sticking to old assumptions miss new opportunities. Reviewing strategies every few years ensures maximum benefits. Staying current saves money.

The Takeaway on Spousal Benefits

Spousal benefits are powerful but complicated. Retirees who plan carefully add up to five figures in lifetime income. Coordination, timing, and awareness create household security. In 2025, smart spousal choices pay off more than ever. The rules reward informed couples.

Have you coordinated Social Security spousal benefits, or do you think most couples leave money on the table?

You May Also Like…

What Happens If You Don’t Report New Income to Social Security?
9 Social Security Assumptions That Will Cost You Thousands
7 Mistakes You’re Making With Social Security Benefits And Don’t Know It
From Paychecks to Payouts: How Social Security Works and What It Means for You
Social Security COLA at Risk? How Tariffs and Turmoil Could Cut Increase



Source link

Tags: AddChoicesfiguresSpousalBenefitTIME
ShareTweetShare
Previous Post

Tinder tries to win back Gen Z with dating app ‘modes’ designed for double dating and college students

Next Post

One Big Beautiful Bill News – IRS Fact Sheet for Tax Deductions News

Related Posts

edit post
The Millionaire Morning: How 88% of the Rich Start Their Day

The Millionaire Morning: How 88% of the Rich Start Their Day

by TheAdviserMagazine
October 7, 2025
0

Image source: Richhabits.net. Image of a rich man vs a poor man. If you find value in these articles, please...

edit post
Don’t Hide Money In The Toilet: Conversations With A Burglar

Don’t Hide Money In The Toilet: Conversations With A Burglar

by TheAdviserMagazine
October 7, 2025
0

A while back I was at another gathering over the weekend and spotted a former burglar that had given me...

edit post
10 Red Flags of a Toxic Remote Workplace

10 Red Flags of a Toxic Remote Workplace

by TheAdviserMagazine
October 7, 2025
0

fizkes / Shutterstock.comIn the last few years, the remote work landscape has undergone significant changes, with many employers embracing permanent...

edit post
Senior Communion: Why Belonging Beats Perfect Health in the Golden Years

Senior Communion: Why Belonging Beats Perfect Health in the Golden Years

by TheAdviserMagazine
October 7, 2025
0

Image Source: 123rf.com For decades, health experts told retirees to focus on diet, exercise, and doctor visits. But new research...

edit post
How Overuse of OTC Painkillers Is Silently Damaging Your Liver

How Overuse of OTC Painkillers Is Silently Damaging Your Liver

by TheAdviserMagazine
October 7, 2025
0

Image Source: 123rf.com Over-the-counter painkillers feel harmless—after all, they’re available in every grocery store. But millions of adults, especially seniors,...

edit post
The Thing About Sleep That Most Doctors Don’t Mention After Seventy

The Thing About Sleep That Most Doctors Don’t Mention After Seventy

by TheAdviserMagazine
October 7, 2025
0

Image Source: 123rf.com Many seniors worry when their sleep changes—waking earlier, napping more, or struggling to stay asleep through the...

Next Post
edit post
One Big Beautiful Bill News – IRS Fact Sheet for Tax Deductions News

One Big Beautiful Bill News – IRS Fact Sheet for Tax Deductions News

edit post
Are Your Grocery Costs Rising Faster Than Your COLA?

Are Your Grocery Costs Rising Faster Than Your COLA?

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
edit post
What Happens If a Spouse Dies Without a Will in North Carolina?

What Happens If a Spouse Dies Without a Will in North Carolina?

September 14, 2025
edit post
Does a Will Need to Be Notarized in North Carolina?

Does a Will Need to Be Notarized in North Carolina?

September 8, 2025
edit post
DACA recipients no longer eligible for Marketplace health insurance and subsidies

DACA recipients no longer eligible for Marketplace health insurance and subsidies

September 11, 2025
edit post
‘Quiet luxury’ is coming for the housing market, The Corcoran Group CEO says. It’s not just the Hamptons, Aspen, and Miami anymore

‘Quiet luxury’ is coming for the housing market, The Corcoran Group CEO says. It’s not just the Hamptons, Aspen, and Miami anymore

September 9, 2025
edit post
Tips to Apply for Mental Health SSDI Without Therapy

Tips to Apply for Mental Health SSDI Without Therapy

September 19, 2025
edit post
Raymond James sues to retrieve dead advisor’s laptop

Raymond James sues to retrieve dead advisor’s laptop

September 11, 2025
edit post
A New Way to Catch Mail Fraud and Theft — Before It’s Too Late

A New Way to Catch Mail Fraud and Theft — Before It’s Too Late

0
edit post
Why boomers keep winning in the housing market as ‘investors and second-home buyers’ continue to dominate

Why boomers keep winning in the housing market as ‘investors and second-home buyers’ continue to dominate

0
edit post
KEENA ARBUTHNOT | The EDU Ledger

KEENA ARBUTHNOT | The EDU Ledger

0
edit post
Letters to Frank Meyer Reveal Rothbard’s Views on Lincoln, Slavery, and Popular Sovereignty

Letters to Frank Meyer Reveal Rothbard’s Views on Lincoln, Slavery, and Popular Sovereignty

0
edit post
How to Find Coins Before They Get Listed on Binance or Coinbase

How to Find Coins Before They Get Listed on Binance or Coinbase

0
edit post
How Overuse of OTC Painkillers Is Silently Damaging Your Liver

How Overuse of OTC Painkillers Is Silently Damaging Your Liver

0
edit post
Green Lantern buys frozen fries co Tapugan for NIS 507m

Green Lantern buys frozen fries co Tapugan for NIS 507m

October 8, 2025
edit post
How to Find Coins Before They Get Listed on Binance or Coinbase

How to Find Coins Before They Get Listed on Binance or Coinbase

October 8, 2025
edit post
Monsoon and crop risks remain key to price volatility ahead: Pushan Sharma

Monsoon and crop risks remain key to price volatility ahead: Pushan Sharma

October 8, 2025
edit post
Dollar rallies as US shutdown drags on, weighing on confidence

Dollar rallies as US shutdown drags on, weighing on confidence

October 7, 2025
edit post
Meteora AG reveals $MET tokenomics; 48% of supply to circulate at TGE

Meteora AG reveals $MET tokenomics; 48% of supply to circulate at TGE

October 7, 2025
edit post
Is AI Really Coming After Your Job?

Is AI Really Coming After Your Job?

October 7, 2025
The Adviser Magazine

The first and only national digital and print magazine that connects individuals, families, and businesses to Fee-Only financial advisers, accountants, attorneys and college guidance counselors.

CATEGORIES

  • 401k Plans
  • Business
  • College
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Economy
  • Estate Plans
  • Financial Planning
  • Investing
  • IRS & Taxes
  • Legal
  • Market Analysis
  • Markets
  • Medicare
  • Money
  • Personal Finance
  • Social Security
  • Startups
  • Stock Market
  • Trading

LATEST UPDATES

  • Green Lantern buys frozen fries co Tapugan for NIS 507m
  • How to Find Coins Before They Get Listed on Binance or Coinbase
  • Monsoon and crop risks remain key to price volatility ahead: Pushan Sharma
  • Our Great Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use, Legal Notices & Disclosures
  • Contact us
  • About Us

© Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved
See articles for original source and related links to external sites.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Financial Planning
    • Financial Planning
    • Personal Finance
  • Market Research
    • Business
    • Investing
    • Money
    • Economy
    • Markets
    • Stocks
    • Trading
  • 401k Plans
  • College
  • IRS & Taxes
  • Estate Plans
  • Social Security
  • Medicare
  • Legal

© Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved
See articles for original source and related links to external sites.