Smart Social Security Strategies for Women
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 2, 2023
While many women plan to claim Social Security retirement benefits, they may not know about how various factors could impact their monthly payment.
More women are working than ever before, but their average benefits are lower than those for men because women typically earn less over their lifetime. In addition, falling marriage rates mean fewer women are in a position to claim spouse’s and survivor benefits.
Here are some important points for women to consider when planning to apply for Social Security benefits:
Claiming benefits. Benefits can be reduced by up to 30% if you claim as soon as you are eligible, before your full retirement age. If you have other income sources you can use after retirement, such as a 401(k) or IRA, you can delay claiming your Social Security benefits. This delay will result in increased monthly benefits when you do begin receiving them. The increased monthly amount can have a positive impact on your financial security because you will receive a greater amount for the rest of your life.
Your health. Delaying your claiming age makes sense if you are in good health. If you are in poor health, it may make sense to claim earlier.
Spouse’s benefits. Married people are eligible to claim spouse’s benefits and are also eligible to claim their own benefits if they worked for at least 10 years. Your strategy must consider both you and your spouse. If neither of you can delay claiming, then claim the lower-earning spouse’s benefits first. Delaying the claim of the higher-earning spouse will result in greater growth in the monthly benefits. Even if you have never worked or worked for less than 10 years, you can claim spouse’s benefits after the income-earning spouse has claimed benefits.
Surviving spouses. If you have survived your spouse, you can claim survivor benefits. This can be up to 100% of your deceased spouse’s benefits. The amount depends on whether you can claim your own benefits first and if your spouse was receiving benefits prior to their death. Depending on income levels, you may be able to claim your deceased spouse’s benefits while delaying your own benefits.
Divorce. If you are divorced and were married for at least 10 years, you can claim spouse’s benefits at age 62. This applies if you did not remarry and if your spouse’s benefits are higher than your own benefits. If you remarry, you cannot claim under the former spouse, but you can claim under your current spouse. You cannot claim spouse’s benefits within 2 years of divorce.
Plan early. Develop a strategy for claiming benefits at least 10 or 15 years before you retire. One great way to get started is to create a personal my Social Security account. With a personal my Social Security account, you can get personalized retirement estimates, get estimated for spouse’s benefits, and get your Social Security Statement.
Social Security is there for you as you plan for retirement. Please share this information with friends and family who need it – and post it on social media.
Our posting of this blog does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation of any non-Social Security organization, author, or webpages.
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Tags: my Social Security, my Social Security account, retirement, retirement benefits, Social Security benefits
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William R.
I am 67 and started receiving SS this year. My wife started receiving SS at 62 last year. Can she receive 1/2 of what get from SS? That would be greater than what she currently gets from her work history
A.C.
Hi, William. If your wife is under full retirement age and qualifies on her own record, we will pay that amount first. But if she also qualifies for a higher amount as a spouse, she’ll get a combination of benefits that equals that higher amount. For more information, please visit our Benefits Planner. If your wife has additional specific questions, she can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. She can also contact her local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Dee D.
I am four years older than my husband. If I claim my benefits before my full retirement age (67) will I still get spousal benefits when he decides to claim his benefits? His income is double compared to mine. What would you suggest as the smartest strategy I should use?
A.C.
Hi, Dee Dee. Thanks for your questions. Keep in mind if you qualify for your own benefits and for benefits as a spouse, we always pay your own benefits first. If your benefits as a spouse are higher than your own benefits, you will get a combination of benefits equaling the higher spouse benefit. Visit our Benefits Planner for more information. Thanks!
Susan R.
Is it possible to get an estimate of the benefit to see if it is worth applying for this benefit. I am currently receiving my own SS benfit.
A.C.
Hi, Susan. Thanks for your question. To qualify for spouse’s benefits, your spouse must be receiving retirement or disability benefits. Keep in mind that if you qualify for your own benefits and for benefits as a spouse, we always pay your own benefits first. If your benefits as a spouse are higher than your own benefits, you will get a combination of benefits equaling the higher spouse benefit. For more information, please visit our Benefits Planner. For specific questions, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Betty S.
I am 79 and my husband passed in 1995. When I inquired about social security I was told I couldn’t collect on my husband’s. I did pay more into social security than he did. Is that true?
A.C.
Hi, Betty. We are sorry to hear about your loss. The amount of your widow’s benefit is based on several factors, including: the earnings of your husband, when he started receiving his benefits, your age, and the amount of your own retirement benefit. We compare your own benefit with your potential survivor benefit. If your survivor benefit would be higher than your own current retirement benefit, you would be eligible for survivor benefits. To check for any potential benefit, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
tenn
I mailed by divorced papers to SS one month ago. I was told the forms would be mailed back to me. Is one month too long of a wait for my papers?
A.C.
Hi, Tenn. Thanks for visiting our blog. We encourage you to contact your local Social Security office for assistance. We hope this is resolved soon.
Bonnie B.
I currently recieve disability benefits for myself me and my husband are separated but not legally can I still claim spouse benefits now?
A.C.
Hi, Bonnie. Thanks for your question. To qualify for spouse’s benefits, your spouse must be receiving retirement or disability benefits. Keep in mind that if you qualify for your own benefits and for benefits as a spouse, we always pay your own benefits first. If your benefits as a spouse are higher than your own benefits, you will get a combination of benefits equaling the higher spouse benefit. For more information, please visit our Benefits Planner. We hope this helps.
M
Isn’t there an birthdate related cutoff date for receiving spousal benefits after divorce?
A.C.
Hi, M. Thanks for visiting our blog. To be eligible for divorced spouse benefits, a person had to be married to their former spouse for at least 10 years, be currently unmarried, at least age 62, and they cannot be eligible for a higher benefit on their own record. For more information about how to qualify for divorced spouse benefits, please visit our Benefits Planner. We hope this helps.
Premlata V.
Nice article which everyone should read and understand. It is complex for people who don’t know much about SS benefit. Had helped a friend more than 10 yrs back and proud to help!
kaveri
Great article for everyone. Thank you so much for sharing this one. I loved it.
Chelsea M.
One I’m to young to retire so right now I’m not focused on retireing right now
Cindy
Thank you for the information. However, how can we make congress aware of the double whammy penalty when we claim survivor benefits at age 60? Penalties for collecting before full retirement age,PLUS, wage earnings caps!! So I’m able bodied and want to work,full time, yet social security benefits will not Allow me to earn more than 21k a year.until I turn full retirement age,67,then I’m older..they don’t care if I make up to 50k plus collecting my survivor benefits. This makes no sense to anyone. That’s a double penalty for collecting early. How can this be changed? Sincerely, usa citizen!!