My wife is two years older than me (she is 63 and I am 61) and has NOT worked the required 10 years to be eligible for her own SS. I am close to maxing out on my social security and I do not plan on taking benefits until I am 70. We have been married for more than 10 years (31 years as of today).

Can my wife get a 50% spousal benefit when she reaches her FRA? I will be 64 at that time and I will not have filed for any SS. When I turn 70 and begin to file, will she get a step up in her amount? OR, is a spousal benefit not available for my wife until I begin to file for SS? What is the best strategy?

Thanks

Glenn

Hi Glenn,

Your wife couldn't qualify for any spousal benefits until you start drawing your benefits, but if she's at least full retirement age (FRA) when she does start drawing spousal benefits her spousal rate will be 50% of your primary insurance amount (PIA). A person's PIA is equal to their Social Security retirement benefit rate if they start drawing at FRA.

I don't feel that there is a clear cut best strategy in your case. If you wait until age 70 to start drawing your benefits your wife would only get 50% of your PIA as a spouse, but she could then get 100% of your full age 70 rate as a survivor if you die first and you live at least until age 70. If you start to draw your benefits before age 70 it would allow your wife to start drawing spousal benefits sooner, but her potential survivor rate would then be lower. You and your wife should strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully explore and compare all of your various options so that you can choose the strategy that you feel would work out best for the two of you in the long run.

Best, Jerry