TRANSCRIPT
(Kristen) Welcome to Money Matters at 757 with Justin Chastain. And, Justin, today we are talking about social security. Does your marital status actually have an impact on your Social Security benefits?
(Justin) It can, for sure.
(Kristen) Okay.
(Justin) Because if you are married, essentially you can take the greater amount if you earn more, and half of your spouse’s. You can draw half of theirs, even if you become divorced, if that marriage lasted ten years or more. Now I’m not encouraging folks to get married for ten years and then bounce out, but you do have that option.
Most advisors recommend that you take the person who is going to be getting the most in Social Security and delay that as long as possible so you get the most benefits.
(Kristen) So you get the most out of it? Any advice to those two-income households?
(Justin) For sure, whoever is going to earn the most or draw out the most, just wait as long as possible, but reach out to your trusted advisor to see, depending on each state.