My wife is 58 and disabled, I am 65 and still working, I have not filed for social security and I am in no hurry to do so, my question is can I file spousal benefit on my wifes current benefit and allow my benefit to grow.

If I do file at age 66 would my wife still be entitled to the spousal benefit from me. Half of my current projected benefit would be an increase for her.

Hi,

Yes, assuming that your wife is receiving Social Security disability benefits (SSDI) and since you were born prior to January 2 1954, you would have the option of filing just for spousal benefits only at your full retirement age (FRA) of 66 while letting your own benefit rate grow until age 70. The only potential problem with that strategy is that there is a special family maximum benefit formula that applies in SSDI cases, which could limit your spousal benefit rate to as little as zero depending upon your wife's SSDI benefit rate (https://www.ssa.gov/oact/COLA/dibfamilymax.html).

Regardless of whether or not you are eligible to receive spousal benefits, your wife could still potentially qualify for additional spousal benefits when you eventually file for benefits on your own record. In order for her to qualify for spousal benefits, though, she would need to be at least age 62 and your full retirement age rate (PIA, or primary insurance amount) would have to be more than twice as much as your wife's PIA, which is the same as her full SSDI rate. And, if your wife does qualify for additional spousal benefits and starts drawing them prior to her FRA, her spousal benefit rate will be reduced for age.

You and your wife should strongly consider using our maximization software to explore and compare your options so that you can choose the best possible strategy for claiming your benefits.

Best, Jerry