Married couples (including divorced individuals who meet certain criteria) who were hoping to take advantage of two popular strategies to maximize Social Security will soon have to reconsider tactics.
The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, signed by President Obama on November 2, 2015, essentially eliminates the 'File and Suspend' and 'Claim Now, Claim More Later' provisions. The change means people will no longer be able to take advantage of these strategies designed to increase their monthly benefit and enhance their overall financial plan. But there is still a short window for people who were planning to take advantage of the strategies to move forward with their plans.
Here’s what’s changing and how it could impact you:
File and SuspendUnder the ‘File and Suspend’ strategy, a higher-earning spouse can file for Social Security at full retirement age (FRA) and delay receipt of benefits until age 70 to earn delayed retirement credits (DRCs). The lower-earning spouse can then file for spousal benefits. By filing and suspending, the higher-earning spouse’s benefit will continue to grow and earn delayed retirement credits while allowing the spouse to claim a spousal benefit.
After April 30, 2016, spouses or other dependents will no longer be able to collect off the suspended benefit. This effectively eliminates any incentive to file and suspend.
The change doesn’t go into effect immediately. You can still take advantage of ‘File and Suspend’ through April 30, 2016. So, if you’re eligible and are considering doing so, now is the time to take action.
Claim Now, Claim More LaterUnder the ‘Claim Now, Claim More Later’ strategy, the higher-earning spouse, at full retirement age, can file a restricted application for spousal benefits, allowing his or her own benefit to earn DRCs (assuming the lower-earning spouse has already filed). Once the higher-earning spouse reaches age 70, he or she switches to his or her own benefit, which has grown with delayed retirement credits.
Under the act, if a person is entitled to both a retirement benefit and a spousal benefit at the time of filing, he or she automatically receives the larger amount of the two regardless of his or her age when filing.
While this means an end to a strategy for many retirees, there is a window of opportunity for some. People who have turned 62 by the end of 2015 are still eligible to file a restricted application.
If you’re not old enough to take advantage of these strategies before the window closes, you should consider how this may impact your income in retirement. You will still be able to delay taking Social Security and increase your benefit by 8 percent for each year you delay between your FRA and age 70. But without the income these strategies would have provided, you will want to adjust your plan to create lifelong income in retiremen