I was born in 1956 and my husband in 11/1953. I plan to file for social security this year, 2019. At this time, My husband will file a restricted application and collect half of my social security benefit. When he turns 70 he will file and collect his own social security benefit. At his age 70, half of his social security benefit is more than my mine, can I switch to a spousal benefit when he turns 70 and files?

Hi,

You couldn't switch to drawing just a spousal benefit when your husband files for his benefits, but you could potentially qualify for an excess spousal benefit at that time. However, the only way that you'll qualify for an excess spousal benefit is if 50% of your husband's primary insurance amount (PIA) is more than your PIA. A person's PIA is equal to the amount they would receive if they filed for their Social Security retirement benefits at full retirement age (FRA).

For example, say Susie files for her Social Security retirement benefits this year at age 63. Susie's PIA is $1000, but she receives a reduced rate of $783 in return for starting her benefits early. Susie's husband is FRA and files for spousal benefits only on Susie's record while letting his own benefit rate grow. Susie's husband is paid $500, or 50% of Susie's PIA, even though Susie's benefit rate is reduced for age. When Susie's husband reaches age 70, he files for his own Social Security retirement benefits with a PIA of $2000. Since Susie's husband's FRA was 66 and he waited until age 70 to start drawing his benefits, he is paid 32% more than his PIA or $2640 (i.e. $2000 x 1.32). But, even though Susie's husband's benefit rate is more than 3 times as much as her reduced rate of $783, Susie is not eligible for any spousal benefits because her own PIA is at least half as much as her husband's PIA (i.e. $1000 vs. $2000).

You and your husband may want to consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to make sure that you select the best possible strategy for claiming your benefits.

Best, Jerry