I am 65 and so is my husband. I will reach full retirement age in December 2017. Neither of us has filled yet for Social Security. We want for me to file for my own and for my husband to file a restricted application for a spousal benefit based on my benefit. (so he can let his benefit grow until he is 70)Can we do that if I file about 4 months early (reducing my benefit by about 2% I think) or do I have to wait until my full retirement age for him to be eligible (He will be FRA when he files)? If we can still do it will he get half my actual benefit or half my full benefit (assuming he is at FRA?

Hi,

Yes, as long as you're drawing your benefits, your husband can file a restricted application for spousal benefits only at full retirement age (FRA) and let his own benefit rate grow until age 70. And, his spousal rate would be 50% of your full retirement age benefit amount even if you start your benefits before FRA.

If you haven't already done so, you may want to consider running the maximization software before you apply to make sure that you choose the best option.

Best, Jerry