Here are some key factors that affect the maximum benefit amount for a couple:

1. Maximum Benefit Based on Full Retirement Age (FRA)

The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses the concept of a "full retirement age" (FRA) to determine when you can begin receiving your maximum benefit without facing reductions. For most people today, the FRA is 66 or 67, depending on your birth year.

• If both spouses wait until their FRA to begin claiming, each can potentially receive their own maximum benefit based on their individual work history.
• If both spouses are eligible for spousal benefits, the maximum combined benefit can reach up to 1.5 times what a single individual could receive at full retirement age.

2. Maximum Benefit Based on Delayed Retirement

If either spouse delays claiming benefits past their FRA, the benefits will increase due to delayed retirement credits, which boost your monthly amount by up to 8% per year until age 70. For example:

• A person who claims at age 70 can receive a monthly benefit significantly higher than if they claimed at age 66.

By delaying benefits, both spouses can increase the total monthly benefit they’ll receive, meaning the maximum Social Security benefit for a couple can be higher if they wait.

3. Social Security Spousal Benefits

If one spouse has earned significantly more than the other, the lower-earning spouse can claim spousal benefits, which can be up to 50% of the higher-earning spouse’s benefit at their FRA. The total amount a couple can receive is a combination of their individual benefits and any applicable spousal benefits.

4. The 2025 Maximum Social Security Benefit

In 2025, the maximum Social Security benefit a single person can receive if they retire at full retirement age (FRA) is approximately $3,634 per month.

For couples:

• If both spouses are eligible for their maximum benefit, they could each receive up to $3,634 per month, totaling a maximum combined benefit of around $7,268 per month (this assumes both spouses earned the maximum taxable earnings throughout their careers and wait until FRA to claim benefits).
• If one spouse is only eligible for spousal benefits, the total amount could be less, but the combined benefit could still be significant.

5. Considerations for Divorced or Widowed Spouses

A divorced spouse may also be eligible for spousal benefits if they were married for at least 10 years. The same general rules apply, and the maximum benefit could be reached based on the higher-earning spouse’s work record. In the case of a widowed spouse, they can also claim survivor benefits, which could be as much as 100% of the deceased spouse’s benefit amount.

6. Impact of Working While Receiving Benefits

If either or both spouses continue working while receiving Social Security benefits before reaching full retirement age, their benefits could be reduced based on their income. The SSA has income limits that determine how much you can earn without affecting your benefit amount, but once you reach FRA, there are no earnings limits.

7. How to Maximize Your Social Security Benefits

• Delay claiming: Waiting until age 70 to claim Social Security will increase the amount you receive.
• Coordinate claiming: If one spouse has a significantly higher earning history, the other may want to claim spousal benefits while the higher-earning spouse delays claiming their own benefits to maximize the combined payout.
• Review your earnings: Make sure your work history and earnings records are correct, as inaccuracies can reduce your benefits.

8. Consulting a Social Security Attorney or Advisor

Understanding the ins and outs of Social Security benefits, especially for a couple, can be complex. Working with a knowledgeable attorney or financial advisor can help you navigate the various options and maximize your Social Security benefits. Hogan Smith specializes in helping couples and individuals with Social Security matters, ensuring you receive the full benefits to which you are entitled.