That may sound amazing, but remember that if you started on time or early, you’d get many more checks. The system is designed to deliver roughly the same total benefits no matter when you start collecting, if you live an average-length life. Still, delaying is a powerful strategy for those who expect or hope to live a longer-than-average life.
Marry a high earner
Finally, there’s a strategy that I phrased mostly in jest: Marry a high earner. That’s not the best reason to marry someone. But if you have married someone who has earned much more than you over their working life, that can benefit you in the eyes of Social Security. For one thing, when you’re both receiving benefits, they will be more sizable due to your spouse’s bigger checks.
If your partner dies before you, your household will go from two Social Security checks to just one — but you won’t be stuck with your smaller one. You’re allowed to start receiving the larger of the two from that point on. So that’s another way to end up with bigger checks.
There’s a lot to learn and know about Social Security, and it’s worth boning up on it at least a little, as you might discover other ways to increase your benefits or otherwise get more out of the valuable program.
The $16,728 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook
