I am writing on April 12, 2018. My question is can I receive spouse SS benefits before I turn 70 and still have my own benefits continue to grow and receive my own maximum SS benefits at age 70?

I was born in 1952, before the Jan. 2, 1954 cutoff date in the new SS law. My SS benefit at FRA would be $1707. My wife was born in 1958 and her SS benefit at FRA would be $2955. Neither of us has applied for benefits to date, and we both tentatively plan to wait until age 70 to file for SS in order to receive our maximum benefits of $2253 and $3759 respectively. At this point, we assume that we will live for many more years and we do not anticipate needing the SS income before we reach age 70. I plan to buy your software to better understand our options.

As I interpret the information on the SS website, I become eligible for spouse benefits when my wife becomes eligible for SS at age 62 in 2020 (at which time I will be age 68). So, I could receive the spouse benefits from 2020 until 2022. Then in 2022 when I turn 70 I could apply for my own maximum benefits. And my wife could wait to apply for her maximum benefit when she reaches age 70. Do I understand this correctly? If so, about how much would my spouse benefit be?

Here is the language that I am referring to from the SS website. https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/applying7.html
“Your spouse may be able to get benefits if they are at least 62 years of age and you are receiving or eligible for retirement or disability benefits.”
“If your spouse was born before January 2, 1954 and has already reached full retirement age they can choose to receive only the spouse’s benefit and delay receiving their own retirement benefit until a later date.”

Your expertise and comments are very much appreciated!!!!!!
Thanks Most Sincerely !!!!!!!!

Hi,

Your wife would have to be receiving her benefits in order for you to be able to draw spousal benefits on her record. You could not qualify for spousal benefits if your wife is simply eligible for her benefits but chooses not to file for them. Only divorced spouses are able to receive benefits on the record of a living worker who hasn't yet filed for their benefits (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/yourdivspouse.html).

If your wife did file for her benefits at age 62 then you could potentially be paid spousal benefits on her record, but both her benefits and your spousal benefits could be subject to full or partial withholding if your wife is still working and earns too much (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/whileworking.html).

If your wife does start receiving retirement or disability benefits on her own record and you file for spousal benefits only at or after your full retirement age, your spousal rate would be equal to 50% of your wife's full retirement age rate (PIA) even if your wife's benefits are reduced for age.

You and your wife should strongly consider using our maximization software in order to explore your options and determine your best overall filing strategy.

Best, Jerry