I receive SS now at 84, applied at normal age. My wife, 72 born 4/17/49 applied and receives SS at early age. Can my wife apply and receive spousal benefit at 50% of my current rate of SS payment?
Thank you

Hi,

No. If your wife started drawing her benefits prior to full retirement age (FRA), the reduction for age that was applied to her benefit rate will continue for as long as both of you are living. Your wife could apply for spousal benefits to be paid in addition to her own benefits, but she'll only qualify if 50% of your primary insurance amount (PIA) is higher than her own PIA. A person's PIA is equal to their Social Security retirement benefit rate if they start drawing their benefits at full retirement age (FRA).

Once you start drawing your own Social Security retirement benefits you can't switch to drawing another type of benefit. If you're drawing your own benefits and you become eligible for a higher benefit on someone else's account, you continue to receive your own benefit plus a partial benefit from the other account.

For example, say Amy filed for her benefits at age 62. Amy's PIA $800, but Amy benefit rate wa reduced for age to $600 because she started drawing at age 62. Amy's husband started drawing his benefits at his FRA. In order for Amy to qualify for additional spousal benefits, her husband's PIA would have to be more than $1600, or twice as much as Amy's own PIA. Excess spousal benefits are calculated by subtracting the person's own PIA from 50% of their spouse's PIA.

Best, Jerry