When to Take Social Security: 4 Key Considerations for Women Nearing Retirement
October 24, 2025
For many women nearing retirement, one of the most significant financial decisions is when to start taking Social Security. There’s not just one correct answer, and the timing can make a meaningful difference in your long-term income, lifestyle, and peace of mind.
At Pleasant Wealth, we work with women every day who are nearing retirement and navigating impactful decisions like this.
Whether you’re married, single, divorced, or widowed, understanding how the Social Security system works — and how it fits into your broader retirement picture — can help you make a confident decision.
Here are four key considerations to keep in mind as you plan when to claim your Social Security benefits.
1. Longevity and Life Expectancy
Women, on average, live longer than men. According to Social Security Administration actuarial data, a woman turning 65 today can expect to live, on average, until age 86. One in three will live past age 90. That longevity can make timing your Social Security benefits especially important.
Taking benefits as early as age 62 can provide income sooner, but it also permanently reduces your monthly payment. Waiting until your full retirement age, or even up to age 70, increases your monthly benefit for the rest of your life.
If you anticipate a long retirement, delaying can be an advantage because it provides a larger guaranteed income stream later on. On the other hand, if you need income earlier to cover living expenses or want to enjoy more flexibility in your early retirement years, starting sooner may make sense.
The key is to weigh your personal health, family history, and financial situation before deciding.
2. Income Needs and Other Retirement Resources
Your Social Security benefit may be just one part of your retirement income picture. The timing of when you claim should incorporate all your potential income sources, including savings, investments, pensions, or part-time work.
If you’ve built strong retirement savings or plan to continue earning some income, you may be able to delay claiming benefits and allow your future monthly amount to grow. But if you’ll rely more heavily on Social Security for essential expenses, starting earlier might feel more secure.
Another factor to keep in mind: if you start benefits before your full retirement age and continue working, your benefit could be temporarily reduced if your earnings exceed certain limits (more on those limits here). The good news? Once you reach full retirement age, that reduction disappears, and your benefit is recalculated to credit you for the months when benefits were withheld.
Evaluating your income sources together can help you choose a claiming age that supports both your financial goals and your lifestyle preferences.
3. Spousal and Survivor Benefits
For married women, or those who were married, spousal and survivor benefits can add another layer of opportunity and complexity.
If you’re married, you may be eligible for a spousal benefit based on your husband’s (or wife’s) earnings record. That benefit can be up to 50% of your spouse’s full retirement age benefit amount, depending on when you claim. You might also qualify for your own benefit if you’ve worked and paid into Social Security, and you’ll generally receive whichever is higher.
If your spouse has passed away, survivor benefits may be available to you, allowing you to claim based on your late spouse’s earnings record. This can be especially valuable if your spouse had the higher income history.
4. Social Security Benefits for Divorced Women
Divorced women often have unique claiming opportunities that are important to understand. If you were married for at least 10 years, are currently unmarried, and your ex-spouse is eligible for Social Security, you may qualify for a divorced-spouse benefit based on their earnings record.
You don’t need your ex-spouse’s permission to claim it, and your claim won’t affect their benefits in any way. In some cases, divorced women can also qualify for survivor benefits if an ex-spouse passes away.
Because women often experience career breaks to care for children or earn less on average due to caregiving or part-time work, these benefits can play a meaningful role in strengthening long-term financial security. Reviewing your eligibility for divorced-spouse or survivor benefits is a smart step before making your final decision about when to claim.
Bringing It All Together
Timing your Social Security claim is a decision unique to each person, and one that should fit within the broader context of your retirement goals, health, and financial resources. For many women, the best approach isn’t about finding the “perfect age,” but rather about understanding the trade-offs and choosing what aligns best with your life.
A thoughtful Social Security strategy can help you:
- Create more predictable lifetime income
- Reduce the risk of outliving your savings
Coordinate benefits with a spouse or ex-spouse - Feel more confident in your overall retirement plan
At Pleasant Wealth, we believe knowledge empowers better decisions. Our goal is to help women enter retirement with clarity and confidence, understanding how each financial choice supports the future they envision.
If you’re approaching retirement and wondering when to take Social Security, schedule a conversation with our team. As part of our process of becoming a client, we’ll walk through your options, review how your benefits fit into your overall financial plan, and help you move forward with confidence.
About the Author
Clinton Miller, CFP®, is an investment advisor & financial planner with an educational background in mathematics. He enjoys making tax planning relevant for clients so they can make confident money decisions.
He and his wife Aubrey are based in Canton, OH & have two sons. In his spare time, he enjoys fishing, chainsaw repair, & mucking around in the woods.