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.
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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.