My husband, born in Oct. 1944, filed at age 62 (forfeiting 25% of his FRA). I was born in Sept. 1954. I was a stay-at-home mom for 20 years; my own full benefit estimate is ca. $580. At the moment, both our grown children live with us while they look for work, and we have been burning through savings for a couple of years. I had to leave my job to help my mother through her cancer, and am still unemployed. I am loath to do anything that will lessen my own eventual personal spousal/survival benefit, but am waking up at night in a panic worrying about money. Do I have any options with regard to filing early for my own benefit, and somehow not filing for spousal benefits until later? What is my best strategy to maximize benefits over the long haul? (I am looking for work again.) Thank you very much for any advice you can offer.

Hi,

No, whenever you file for either retirement benefits on your own record or spousal benefits you will be deemed to have filed for both (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/deemedfaq.html). You will essentially only receive the higher of the two benefit rates, and your rate will be reduced for age if you start drawing before your full retirement age of 66.

However, filing early for your retirement or spousal benefits would not have an adverse effect on your potential widow's benefit rate in the event of your husband's death. Since he took his benefits at age 62 your widow's rate would be capped at 82.5% of his full retirement age rate (PIA), and you are already old enough to receive that rate if he were to die.

You may want to consider using our maximization software in order to explore your options and determine your best filing strategy.

Best, Jerry