Pre-retirement checklist

People who are 64 or older by the end of 2017 have an added advantage. If they are married or a divorced spouse who was married at least ten years and is currently single, they can take advantage of a valuable Social Security claiming strategy that is being phased out.

Those people who were born on or before Jan. 1, 1954, can file “a restricted claim for spousal benefits” when they turn 66 and collect half of their spouse’s or ex-spouse’s full retirement age benefit while their own retirement benefit continues to grow by 8% per year up to age 70.