Larry my wife started collecting her benefit at 62. I waited until my full retirement age. But when they added her to my benefit she not even close to half. I’m receiving $1,954 and she only getting $765. Is that right?

Hi,

Probably. If a person starts drawing reduced retirement benefits on their own record prior to full retirement age (FRA), the resulting reduction for age that's applied to their benefit rate continues even if they subsequently become entitled to spousal benefits.

For example, say Amy filed for her benefits in 2018 at age 62. Amy's primary insurance amount (PIA), or full retirement age rate, would be $800, but Amy's rate is reduced for age to $590. This year, when Amy is 64, her husband applies for his benefits. Amy's husband's PIA is $2000, so Amy's unreduced excess spousal rate is calculated by subtracting her PIA from 50% of her husband's PIA. In Amy's case, that amounts to $200 (i.e. $2000/2 - $800). However, since Amy is only 64 when she becomes eligible for spousal benefits her spousal rate is reduced to $161. That amount is then paid in addition to Amy's own reduced rate of $590 to give her a combined rate of $751 (i.e. $590 + $161).

Best, Jerry