Also, if you have a child under 16 years old or if he or she gets Social Security disability benefits, you might want to start receiving benefits before you hit retirement age. In these circumstances, if you’re currently caring for the child and meet all the required requirements, your spousal benefit won’t be lowered. Spousal benefits can wildly differ from personal ones, especially when it comes to delaying payments.

If you decide to delay your personal benefits past full retirement age, then the benefit will increase. But spousal benefits will max out when you reach full retirement age. There’s no benefit to delaying your spousal benefit claim after reaching full retirement age.

If you want those benefits, your spouse needs to file for Social Security. You can only take advantage of your spouse’s benefits if he or she decides to file for them. Also, your spouse needs to be the first one to receive those benefits.