Here's the average Social Security benefit for people age 65. Waiting longer to claim benefits, even past retirement age, can boost monthly payments

Social Security retirement claims tend to follow a seasonal pattern each year, and they increase over time with the aging of the population, says Jack Smalligan, senior policy fellow at the Urban Institute. But this spring, something different happened, he says: an unexpected surge in the number of people applying for retirement benefits.

One of the best benefits of Social Security is that individuals can receive benefits based on their partner's work history, known as spousal benefits. With Social Security spousal benefits, someone is eligible to receive up to 50% of their spouse's PIA, assuming they claim benefits at their FRA.