I am older than my spouse by 8 years. He is the main earner & I only worked occasionally throughout the years. I have received my Social Security Statement showing I can start drawing now or wait. If I start now I will receive $356. Am I eligible for any of his benefits if I start drawing early even if he isn't ready to start drawing and won't be until 2029, I believe? What difference would it make if I wait till full benefits age?

Hi. No. You can't qualify for spousal benefits at least until your husband starts drawing his benefits. And, if you start drawing your own Social Security retirement benefits prior to your full retirement age (FRA), the reduction for age applied to your benefit rate will continue even if you qualify for additional spousal benefits when your husband starts drawing his benefits.

For example, say Joy files for her Social Security retirement benefits at age 62. Joy's PIA, which is equal to the amount she'd be eligible for if she started drawing her benefits at full retirement age (FRA), is $600. But, Joy's benefit rate is reduced for age to $422 because she's claiming her benefits at age 62. Seven years later Joy's spouse applies for his benefits, and his PIA is $2000. Joy's unreduced excess spousal benefit would then be calculated by subtracting her PIA from 50% of her husband's PIA, which in Joy's case amounts to $400 (i.e. $2000/2 - $600). Since Joy is already over FRA when she first becomes eligible for excess spousal benefits, she would then be paid the full unreduced excess spousal amount of $400 in addition to her own reduced rate of $422 to give her a combined rate of $822.

You and your husband should strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully analyze all of your various options so that you can determine the best overall strategy for maximizing your benefits.

Best, Jerry