Spousal Benefit Maximizer Calculator
Optimize Social Security claiming strategy for married couples.
Individual Benefits
Higher Earner
FRA Benefit:$ 2500
Claim Age:67
Actual Benefit:$ 2500
Lower Earner
FRA Benefit:$ 800
Own Benefit:$ 600
Spousal Max:$ 1250
Actual Benefit:$ 1250 (Spousal benefit)
Lifetime Benefits
Higher Earner:$ 540000
Lower Earner:$ 390000
Couple Total:$ 1020000
Based on receiving benefits until projected life expectancy.
Survivor Benefit Analysis
Survivor Benefit:$ 2500/mo
Survivor Years:3
Survivor Total:$ 90000
When higher earner dies, survivor receives their full benefit amount.
Alternative: Higher Earner Delays to 70
Benefit at 70:$ 3100/mo
Household Total:$ 1059600
Advantage:$ 39600
Recommendation
Higher earner should delay to 70: increases household benefits by $39600. Survivor benefit grows significantly.
Spousal Benefit Strategies
- Higher earner should delay to maximize survivor benefit
- Spousal benefit: up to 50% of higher earner's FRA benefit
- Lower earner can claim own OR spousal (not both)
- Spousal benefit requires higher earner to claim first
- Survivor benefit often larger than spousal benefit
- Consider both spouses' health and longevity