Stop Leaving $111,000 on the Table
United Income (2019) estimated the average household loses $111,000 in lifetime benefits from claiming at the wrong time — and for couples, the wrong move also shrinks the survivor check. This comparison sheet shows you how the five core strategies actually work.
Most Couples Get This Wrong:
- ✕Claiming at the same age when they shouldn't
- ✕Ignoring survivor benefit implications
- ✕Not coordinating based on earnings history
- ✕Assuming SSA will tell them the best move — its staff are prohibited from giving claiming advice
Inside Your Free Comparison Sheet:
5 Claiming Strategies Compared
Side-by-side breakdown of pros, cons, and who each fits
Rule-by-Rule Impact
What each path does to your checks — reductions, delayed credits, and the survivor line
Survivor Benefit Protection
Ensure your spouse is protected no matter what
"Best Fit" Scenarios
Find which strategy matches your situation
Printable PDF • Updated for 2026 • Built with an RSSA®
The sheet couples print and bring to the kitchen table.
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Read our complete married-couple claiming guide — spousal coordination, survivor protection, and worked examples, free in the library. →
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