Don't Make This Critical Spousal Social Security Mistake at Your Full Retirement Age

You want to maximize your lifetime Social Security benefits, and you're determined to wait as long as possible to get the largest possible checks. If you're claiming retirement benefits, that means waiting until age 70 when you become eligible for your maximum benefit.

But if you're claiming spousal benefits, it's a different story. You qualify for your maximum benefit sooner, and waiting too long to apply could cost you big time.

Image source: Getty Images.

Your maximum spousal benefit is one-half of the benefit your partner qualifies for at their full retirement age (FRA). This is age 67 for most workers today. If you want this amount, you must delay your application until your own FRA.

Unlike retirement benefits, spousal benefits don't give you delayed retirement credits for waiting beyond your FRA to apply. So if you plan to claim spousal checks, you definitely don't want to wait longer than this to submit your application.

You may not be able to claim spousal benefits right away if your partner hasn't signed up yet. In that case, you might choose to claim your retirement benefit in the meantime, assuming you qualify for one. This will bring in some money, and it may help your partner delay their Social Security application until they qualify for larger checks.

Once your spouse applies, you can contact the Social Security Administration and request that it switch you to a spousal benefit if that would be worth more than the retirement benefit you're currently receiving. You can do this over the phone or by visiting your local Social Security office.

The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.