For single individuals (never married), distribution timing is the only strategy available. For married, divorced and widowed individuals, the following options can further increase benefits:

• File And Suspend
This option gives recipients the flexibility to file for Social Security at FRA, but suspend distribution of benefits until a later date. In the interim, benefits continue to increase at 8 percent year over year. Even better, the recipient’s spouse may begin receiving spousal benefits immediately (typically 50 percent of the partner’s monthly benefit) while continuing to earn the 8 percent annual increase as a result of delaying his or her own retirement benefits. If the recipient has a need to collect back pay for suspended benefits for any reason, file and suspend offers back pay of up to 24 months, as opposed to only six months of back pay that would be available if the recipient had simply delayed filing.

• File And Restrict
This lesser-known option allows married or divorced individuals to file for benefits, but restrict benefits to a spousal benefit amount rather than claim benefits based on their own employment. Using this strategy, the spouse’s personal Social Security benefits continue to receive the delayed retirement credit of 8 percent per year. At any time, the individual may terminate the restriction and begin to claim his or her own benefit amount—which will have increased significantly in the interim. If spousal benefits are terminated at age 70, for example, and the spouse begins collecting benefits based on his or her own work record, the monthly benefit will have increased by almost 50 percent (including cost-of-living adjustments) compared with four years earlier. Unlike file and suspend, this option allows both spouses to receive benefits simultaneously.

• File And Suspend And File And Restrict
This option allows a couple to combine benefits, with one partner using the file and suspend strategy, and the other applying file and restrict. If both spouses have reached FRA and both have earned a Social Security benefit, this option enables both individuals to file for benefits at FRA, but restrict one of the recipient’s benefits to the spousal benefit amount. While collecting spousal benefits, his or her benefit amount continues to receive the delayed retirement credit of 8 percent per year. By delaying benefits for the higher-earning spouse, not only will the cost-of-living percentage increase be higher, but following the death of one spouse, the surviving partner could also receive a higher benefit amount each month.