Every year, millions of Americans miss out on Social Security benefits they may legally qualify to receive. Surprisingly, it often isn’t because they were denied benefits or failed to meet eligibility requirements. Instead, many simply never apply because they don’t realize the benefits exist.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) generally does not contact people to inform them about every benefit they may qualify for. In most cases, you must know the program exists and submit an application yourself. That makes understanding your options one of the most important parts of retirement planning.
Below are five lesser-known Social Security benefits and claiming strategies that could significantly increase your lifetime income, depending on your personal circumstances.
1. Spousal Social Security Benefits
One of the most overlooked retirement benefits is the Social Security spousal benefit.
If your spouse is already receiving Social Security retirement benefits, you may qualify to receive a benefit worth up to 50% of their full retirement benefit, even if you had little or no work history yourself.
For example, if your spouse receives $2,400 per month, you could potentially receive as much as $1,200 per month if you claim at your full retirement age.
Who May Qualify?
You may qualify if:
- Your spouse is already collecting Social Security retirement benefits.
- You are at least 62 years old (although benefits are reduced if claimed before full retirement age).
- Your own retirement benefit is smaller than your available spousal benefit.
It’s important to remember that claiming at age 62 permanently reduces the benefit amount. Waiting until your full retirement age allows you to receive the maximum spousal benefit available under current rules.
2. Divorced Spouse Benefits
Many divorced Americans don’t realize they may still qualify for Social Security benefits based on an ex-spouse’s work record.
If your marriage lasted at least 10 years, you may qualify for benefits without affecting your former spouse’s payments in any way.
General Eligibility Requirements
You may qualify if:
- Your marriage lasted 10 years or longer.
- You are currently unmarried.
- You are at least 62 years old.
- Your own retirement benefit is lower than the divorced spouse benefit available.
Even if your former spouse has remarried, your eligibility generally remains unchanged.
In certain situations, you may also qualify even if your ex-spouse has not yet claimed benefits, provided you’ve been divorced for at least two years and both individuals meet the applicable age requirements.
This benefit has been particularly valuable for individuals who spent years raising children or caring for family members instead of building their own earnings record.
3. Survivor Benefits for Widows and Widowers
Losing a spouse is emotionally devastating, but many surviving spouses are unaware that Social Security offers benefits designed specifically to provide financial support.
Eligible widows and widowers may receive up to 100% of their deceased spouse’s retirement benefit, depending on several factors including age and claiming timing.
A Little-Known Claiming Strategy
One strategy many financial planners discuss involves claiming survivor benefits first while allowing your own retirement benefit to continue growing.
Here’s how it generally works:
- Survivor benefits may be claimed as early as age 60 (with a reduction for early claiming).
- Your own retirement benefit continues earning delayed retirement credits if you postpone claiming.
- At age 70, you may switch to your own larger retirement benefit if it exceeds the survivor benefit.
Because delayed retirement credits can substantially increase monthly benefits between full retirement age and age 70, this strategy may increase lifetime retirement income for some individuals.
Not everyone will benefit equally, so it’s important to discuss your options directly with the Social Security Administration or a qualified financial advisor before making a decision.
4. Retroactive Social Security Payments
Another little-known provision involves retroactive retirement benefits.
If you’ve already reached your full retirement age but delayed filing for Social Security, you may be able to request a retroactive lump-sum payment covering up to six months of benefits.
Example
Suppose your monthly retirement benefit would be:
- $2,000 per month
A six-month retroactive payment could total:
$12,000
If your monthly benefit is larger, the lump sum could be even more substantial.
Important Trade-Off
There is one important consideration.
Receiving retroactive benefits effectively moves your official claiming date backward, which means your future monthly benefit will be slightly lower than if you had continued delaying your claim.
Whether taking the lump sum makes financial sense depends on your retirement goals, health, income needs, and life expectancy.
5. The Social Security “Do-Over”
Perhaps the least-known Social Security option is what’s commonly called the “Do-Over.”
If you claimed retirement benefits early and later regret the decision, you may have an opportunity to reverse it.
How It Works
If it has been less than 12 months since you first claimed retirement benefits, you may request to withdraw your application.
To do so, you generally must:
- Repay all benefits already received.
- Submit the required withdrawal request to the Social Security Administration.
If approved, your original application is treated as though it never happened.
You can then wait until a later age to reapply, potentially receiving a significantly larger monthly benefit for the rest of your retirement.
Because monthly benefits increase substantially for individuals who delay claiming beyond full retirement age (up to age 70), this strategy may produce much larger lifetime income for some retirees.
Another Option: Voluntary Suspension
Individuals who have already reached full retirement age may also have another option known as voluntary suspension.
Instead of withdrawing an application, beneficiaries may temporarily suspend retirement payments, allowing delayed retirement credits to increase future monthly benefits before restarting payments later.
Unlike the withdrawal process, voluntary suspension generally does not require repayment of benefits already received.
Why These Benefits Go Unclaimed
The biggest reason these programs remain underused is simple:
Most benefits are not automatic.
The Social Security Administration typically pays benefits only after an eligible person submits the required application.
Many Americans mistakenly assume they will automatically receive every benefit they qualify for, but that’s often not how the system works.
Learning about available benefits—and asking questions when contacting the SSA—can make a meaningful difference in retirement income.
Final Thoughts
Social Security is far more complex than many people realize. Beyond standard retirement checks, there are additional benefits and claiming strategies that may help eligible individuals maximize their lifetime income.
The five opportunities discussed in this article include:
- Spousal Benefits for eligible husbands and wives.
- Divorced Spouse Benefits after marriages lasting at least 10 years.
- Survivor Benefits for widows and widowers, including possible claiming strategies.
- Retroactive Retirement Payments for certain late filers.
- Withdrawal (“Do-Over”) and Voluntary Suspension options that may increase future monthly benefits in specific circumstances.
Because every individual’s work history, age, marital status, and retirement goals are different, it’s always wise to review your personal situation carefully before making any claiming decision.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Social Security rules are complex and may change over time. Always verify current eligibility requirements with the Social Security Administration or consult a qualified financial professional before making decisions regarding your benefits.