In most cases, delaying Social Security benefits is a smart choice for retirees. While benefits can be claimed starting at 62, putting off a claim as long as possible until 70 will result in the amount of your monthly payment increasing. Since the Social Security benefits formula was created to equalize out the amount early and late claimers received, and since lifespans have gotten longer since the formula was created, delaying until 70 also gives you the best chance of getting more lifetime benefits. In fact, 7 in 10 retirees are better off if they wait.
There is, however, one situation where retirees should definitely not put off their Social Security claim. Here’s what it is.
Do not delay your Social Security benefits claim if this applies to you
You should not wait to claim Social Security if you are planning to claim spousal benefits and you have reached your full retirement age.
Full retirement age is based on birth year and it’s 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later. For individuals reaching age 62 in 2026 (those born in 1964), full retirement age remains exactly 67, and the maximum monthly benefit available at full retirement age for a primary earner has risen to $4,152. Following the 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) implemented in January 2026, the average monthly benefit for a retired worker stands at $2,071, which baseline structures the average 50% spousal benefit at approximately $1,035. If you wait until your full retirement age to claim spousal benefits you will receive 50% of your spouse’s primary benefit. If you claim before full retirement age, then you will receive a reduced amount. If you claim after, though, you do not see any increase in your monthly payments.
This is different from people who claim benefits on their own work record. Those who get benefits based on their own earnings are also hit with early filing penalties for a claim before FRA, just as those who get spousal benefits are. However, people claiming their own retirement benefits also have the option to earn delayed retirement credits. Those credits increase payments by 2/3 of 1% per month until age 70. For someone with an FRA of 67, that adds up to a 24% benefits increase, which is a pretty substantial sum.
People getting spousal benefits can’t earn those delayed retirement credits, though. So delaying beyond their full retirement age doesn’t earn them any extra money. They’re giving up payments they could receive for no benefit at all.
Understand the rules for when you can claim spousal benefits
Now, there’s one big caveat to be aware of with spousal benefits. You can’t claim them until your spouse has claimed their retirement checks.
Say, for example, your husband was the higher earner and you want to claim spousal benefits on his work history. If your husband hasn’t yet filed for retirement benefits, you aren’t going to be allowed to claim your spousal benefits until he does.
It often makes sense for the spouse who earned more money to put off a Social Security claim for as long as they can. Doing so does increase their benefit and, as mentioned above, it gives them the best shot at earning the most lifetime income. They also max out survivor benefits when they wait, which is very important to protecting their partner if they die first. However, depending on whether there is an age gap, this can sometimes mean that a person in line for spousal benefits does have to wait.
If you and your husband are both 70 in our above example, for instance, it would make sense for you to claim your spousal benefits at your FRA if you could. But if your husband was waiting until 70 to get his retirement checks, you would not be able to.
The good news is, if you are eligible for your own retirement benefits — even if they aren’t worth much because you didn’t earn a lot — you could claim them at a younger age. You’d have some Social Security income coming into the house, and then when your spouse retires, you could claim spousal benefits then. Under current “deemed filing” rules, applying for a personal or spousal benefit automatically triggers an application for both, meaning you will receive a combined amount equivalent to the higher benefit rather than letting one independently grow.
However, if you choose to claim your own smaller benefit early while your spouse delays, you must navigate the Retirement Earnings Test thresholds. For individuals under full retirement age for all of 2026, the Social Security Administration deducts $1 in benefits for every $2 earned above the annual income limit of $24,480. In the year an individual reaches full retirement age, the earnings limit rises to $65,160, with a reduced penalty of $1 withheld for every $3 earned prior to the birth month, after which all earnings restrictions terminate entirely.
The Divorced Spouse Exception to the Waiting Rule
While married couples must wait for a primary earner to file before spousal benefits can begin, divorced individuals can bypass this restriction under specific conditions. If an individual was married for at least 10 consecutive years, has been divorced for at least two consecutive years, remains currently unmarried, and is at least 62 years old, they are permitted to claim spousal benefits based on their ex-partner’s work record regardless of whether that ex-spouse has officially filed for retirement. This independent filing option has no impact on the ex-spouse’s own future benefits or the benefits available to a new partner if the ex-spouse has remarried.
Since Social Security is confusing for married couples because of all these different rules, working with a financial advisor could be your best bet. Your advisor can help you pick the optimum claiming age for both spouses so you can make the most of the Social Security benefits you’ve earned throughout your working life.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated to incorporate 2026 Social Security data parameters, including the latest cost-of-living adjustments, maximum full retirement age benefits, and updated annual income thresholds for the Retirement Earnings Test. It further expands on regulatory provisions by detailing the statutory “deemed filing” mechanics and introducing a dedicated analysis of the independent spousal claiming eligibility criteria established for divorced individuals.
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