When these three different families have to claim social security

You are 66 years old and married; Your spouse is 65 years old. You do not have children.

You were the highest income and you earned just over $ 175,000 before retirement. Your spouse earned $ 20,000 before retirement. You assume that you will both live up to 100 years old.

To maximize your spouse's benefits, the highest income should claim it at age 67. Then move on to your usual retirement benefit at age 70. You will earn $ 150,000 more than if you claimed your retirement benefit at age 66.

Because of your age, you benefit from vested rights under an old law that allows you to receive your spouse benefits first and your retirement benefits later.

But Kotlikoff said: "Under the new law, he should take both at once and get only the higher of the two."

Your spouse should claim his Social Security retirement benefit at age 66, then switch to the spouse benefit at age 69. He will earn at least $ 10,000 more than he had claimed benefits at age 65.