Can a spouse collect her social security at 62 and then switch to half her husbands at full retirement age?(and would she be penalized for filing early).
Your thoughts
Ned

Hi Ned,

The answer's no, a spouse can't file for their own benefits at age 62 and then switch to spousal benefits at full retirement age (FRA) and get half of their spouse's benefit rate. And, yes, the spouse taking their own benefit at age 62 would be penalized by receiving a reduced benefit rate for as long as both they and their spouse are living. Once you file for your own Social Security retirement benefit, that becomes your primary benefit for life. Any other benefits for which you may later qualify could only be paid as a partial, secondary benefit.

For example, say Barb files for her retirement benefits at age 62. Barb's full retirement age rate (PIA) would be $900, but Barb takes a reduced rate of $660 in return for starting her benefits early. When Barb reaches FRA, her husband files for his benefits and Barb files for spousal benefits. Barb's husband's PIA is $2000, and Barb's unreduced excess spousal benefit rate would be calculated by subtracting her PIA from 50% of her husband's PIA, which in this case would be $100 (i.e. $2000/2 - $900). Since Barb is FRA when she becomes eligible for her spousal benefit her spousal rate is not reduced for age. Thus, Barb would receive $100 as a spouse in addition to her reduced retirement benefit for a combined benefit rate of $760 (i.e. $660 + $100).

Best, Jerry