Spousal & Divorced Benefits
How Can Couples Maximize Social Security Retirement Income?
Verified against SSA POMS as of September 17, 2026
The short answer
Maximizing Social Security income for couples involves strategic claiming of spousal and retirement benefits. Deemed filing rules changed for all claimants born January 2, 1954 or later. Couples can align filing times to maximize total benefits but can no longer use the file and suspend or restricted application strategies.
Deemed Filing Rules for Couples
The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 altered the deemed filing rules for those born January 2, 1954 or later. Under these rules, applicants must file for all eligible retirement and spousal benefits once they apply for one. This eliminates the option to apply for one benefit while delaying another for individuals born on or after this date. However, deemed filing does not apply to survivor benefits (GN 00204.035).
GN 00204.035 View source ›Restricted Application Strategy
A restricted application allows beneficiaries who have reached full retirement age, and who are born before January 2, 1954, to apply for spousal benefits only, delaying their retirement benefits for future accrual. This strategy is not available for those born on or after January 2, 1954 (HBK 1510).
HBK 1510 View source ›File-and-Suspend Strategy
The file-and-suspend strategy previously allowed an individual to file for benefits and then suspend them so that a spouse could claim spousal benefits while the individual's own benefits accrued delayed retirement credits. However, this strategy has been eliminated for new filers through changes in legislation under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 (GN 00204.035). Currently, you can voluntarily suspend your Social Security retirement benefits from your full retirement age (FRA) up to age 70, and you’ll earn delayed retirement credits that increase your future monthly payment by up to 8% per year. It is important to note that suspending benefits will also suspend any other beneficiary receiving on your record, with the exception of divorced spouse benefits.
GN 02409.110Impact of Age on Spousal Benefits
For those born between January 2, 1938, and January 1, 1960, unreduced spousal benefits become available at different ages depending on birthdate, affecting benefit calculations. Spousal benefits are adjustably reduced if begun before full retirement age, which varies by birth year (RS 00615.205).
RS 00615.205 View source ›Frequently asked
How does deemed filing affect my Social Security benefits?
Deemed filing rules have been in place for some time, but they changed for individuals born on or after January 2, 1954. If you were born on or after this date, you are required to file for all eligible retirement and spousal benefits when you apply or become eligible for any one of them.
Can I delay my own Social Security to increase spousal benefits?
If you were born before January 2, 1954, you may file a restricted application for spousal benefits only, allowing you to delay your own retirement benefits for a potentially higher future amount.
What is the restricted application strategy?
Restricted application allows individuals of full retirement age born before January 2, 1954, to apply only for spousal benefits while delaying their own directly payable retirement benefits.
Is file-and-suspend still available?
The file-and-suspend strategy is largely unavailable for new filers due to changes made by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015. However, you can still voluntarily suspend your Social Security retirement benefits from your full retirement age (FRA) up to age 70. By doing so, you will earn delayed retirement credits that increase your future monthly payment by up to 8% per year. It is important to note that suspending benefits will also suspend any other beneficiary receiving on your record, with the exception of divorced spouse benefits.
How are spousal benefits reduced by age?
Spousal benefits, if started before full retirement age, are reduced at specific percentages tied to the year of birth, impacting the total benefit payable.