I have your newest book and read 'Ask Larry' everyday. I am still a bit confused about our filing strategy. I will be 66 in March 2018 my husband will be 65 in June of 2018, making us both born before 1954. We would like to start my social security, I am the lower age earner, and have him take the spousal benefit before he is age 66. Can we do that and still let his SS grown a few more years. Would that have any effect on my future widow amount? Thank you so much for helping all of us out here.

Hi,

No. If your husband files for spousal benefits before full retirement age (FRA) he will be deemed to also be filing on his own record, and his benefit rate will be reduced for age. However, if you're drawing your benefits he could file a restricted application for spousal benefits only on your record at his FRA and still allow his own retirement benefit rate to grow until age 70. It sounds like that may be your best overall plan, but you should strongly consider using the maximization software available on this website to be sure.

Best, Jerry