Is it worth it to delay Social Security to provide a larger survivor benefit for your spouse? 

I know it sounds smart to leave your spouse a higher benefit than they would receive on their own, but it’s not worth it.  Here’s why.

As previously noted, delaying Social Security carries a break-even period of roughly 11.66 years to 12.5 years. That break-even timeline doesn’t change based on who is collecting — whether it’s you or your surviving spouse, they still have to wait the same amount of time before the delayed benefit actually pays off.

Also, keep in mind, that if your Social Security benefit it higher than your spouse’s, then if you would’ve collecting Social Security earlier, you would’ve unlocked the spousal portion of your benefit which your spouse could’ve collected while you’re alive (assuming your spouse could collect your spousal portion).