What You and Your Spouse Need to Know

“When should I start Social Security?” is one of the questions we hear most often at Seapoint Wealth Advisors. There is not one age that is right for everyone. Your decision can depend on your health, other sources of income, whether you are still working, your tax situation and, for married couples, how your decision may affect your spouse.

What age can you start Social Security?

You can generally begin Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62. Claiming before your full retirement age reduces your monthly benefit. For people born in 1960 or later, full retirement age is 67. Delaying beyond full retirement age can increase your monthly retirement benefit until age 70. ^[1][2]

For 2026, the maximum monthly retirement benefit for a worker claiming at full retirement age is $4,152. Social Security benefits received a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment for 2026. ^[3]

What should you consider before claiming?

1. Health and longevity

Your health, family history and expected longevity can influence whether claiming earlier or delaying may be appropriate. The goal is not simply to maximize a monthly benefit, but to consider how Social Security fits within your broader retirement plan.

2. Whether you are still working

If you receive retirement benefits before full retirement age while continuing to work, the Social Security earnings test may temporarily reduce your benefits. In 2026, if you are under full retirement age for the entire year, $1 in benefits is withheld for every $2 earned above $24,480. During the year you reach full retirement age, $1 in benefits is withheld for every $3 earned above $65,160, counting only earnings before the month you reach full retirement age. Beginning with the month you reach full retirement age, earnings no longer reduce your benefits. ^[3][4]

3. Taxes

Depending on your overall income, a portion of your Social Security benefits may be subject to federal income tax. Coordinating Social Security with pensions, retirement-account distributions and portfolio withdrawals can therefore be an important part of retirement-income planning.

4. Other sources of retirement income

Pensions, investment assets, retirement accounts, rental income and other resources can affect how much flexibility you have around when to claim Social Security. Looking at these sources together can provide a more complete picture than evaluating Social Security on its own.

5. Portfolio withdrawals

Delaying Social Security may mean relying more heavily on your portfolio or other income sources in the interim. Claiming earlier, on the other hand, provides income sooner but generally results in a lower monthly benefit. The appropriate balance depends on your overall financial circumstances and retirement goals.

How does Social Security timing affect married couples?

For married couples, claiming decisions are often best considered together rather than independently.

Spousal benefits

A spouse may qualify for benefits based on the other spouse’s earnings record, depending on eligibility and claiming circumstances.

Survivor benefits

Social Security claiming decisions can also affect the benefit ultimately available to a surviving spouse. This can make the timing decision particularly important for couples with different earnings histories.

Divorced spouses

Depending on factors including the length of the marriage and current marital status, a divorced individual may qualify for benefits based on a former spouse’s earnings record.

The bottom line

There is no universal “right age” to claim Social Security. The decision is best viewed as one part of a broader retirement-income strategy that considers your health, income, taxes, available assets and family circumstances.

At Seapoint Wealth Advisors, we help clients evaluate Social Security alongside the other pieces of their retirement plan so they can better understand how different claiming scenarios may affect their overall financial picture.

If you are approaching retirement and have questions about Social Security timing, we welcome the conversation.

Important disclosure: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as personalized financial, tax or legal advice. Please consult the appropriate professionals regarding your individual circumstances.

Sources

[1] Social Security Administration, Retirement Benefit Calculators (claiming at 62, full retirement age and 70). View source

[2] Social Security Administration, Delayed Retirement Credits (benefit increases after full retirement age stop at age 70). View source

[3] Social Security Administration, 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment Fact Sheet (2.8% COLA, $4,152 maximum benefit at full retirement age, and 2026 earnings-test limits). View source

[4] Social Security Administration, What happens if I work and get Social Security retirement benefits? (2026 earnings-test rules and limits). View source