When Should Married Men Claim Social Security Benefits?

TitleWhen Should Married Men Claim Social Security Benefits?
Publication TypeReport
Year of Publication2008
AuthorsSass, SA, Sun, W, Webb, A
Series TitleCenter for Retirement Research at Boston College Briefs
Document NumberIB#8-4
InstitutionCenter for Retirement Research at Boston College
CityBoston
Call Numbernewpubs20081014_ib_8-4.pdf
KeywordsAdult children, Public Policy, Retirement Planning and Satisfaction, Social Security
Abstract

Most married men claim Social Security benefits at age 62 or 63, well short of the age that maximizes the expected present value of the average household s benefits. That many married men leave money on the table is surprising. It is also problematic. It results in much lower benefits for surviving spouses and the low incomes of elderly widows are a major social problem. If married men delayed claiming Social Security benefits, retirement income security would significantly improve. This brief focuses on the potential gains from delayed claiming and the factors that may influence claiming behavior. It then considers possible policy responses.

URLhttps://crr.bc.edu/briefs/when-should-married-men-claim-social-security-benefits/
Endnote Keywords

Social Security benefit claiming/Claiming behavior/Claiming behavior/Marital Status/retirement planning/public Policy/retirement income / United States.

Endnote ID

19470

Citation Key5712