Strategic Social Security Maximization for Couples in the Post-BBA Era
Coordinating Social Security benefits remains one of the most consequential financial decisions for married couples in retirement. The post-Bipartisan Budget Act landscape demands precise timing and strategic alignment of two distinct work records to optimize inflation-protected income streams.
The highest earner’s delay until age 70 serves as the longevity anchor—a MOVE that locks in maximum Delayed Retirement Credits (DRCs) and secures the surviving spouse’s financial floor. This approach leverages legislated guarantees rather than market-dependent maneuvers, creating a predictable income cascade.
Seven Core strategies emerge: synchronized claiming timelines, spousal benefit coordination, and mortality hedging through deliberate delay tactics. The calculus centers on two objectives—maximizing joint lifetime benefits while ensuring the survivor’s income sustainability.
