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3 Little-Known Social Security Rules All Married Retirees Should Know
Married couples' Social Security decisions can be very complicated, and these rules only make it harder.
Social Security is the cornerstone of many retirees' budgets. Indeed, 60% of retirees said their monthly checks are a major source of income for their household, and another 28% said it's a smaller source, according to the most recent iteration of an annual Gallup poll.
Retirees looking to make the most of the government program have to weigh carefully when to claim Social Security. The formula is fairly straightforward for retirees without a partner: Wait as long as you can before claiming benefits. But when you retire with a spouse, the algebra turns into advanced calculus, and your claiming decision can become a lot more complex if you want to make the most of the program for the entire household.
On top of that, there are several important rules you need to consider, many of which can easily go overlooked. To help you out, here are three little-known Social Security rules all married retirees should know.
