I plan to delay taking SSA benefits until age (70) in order to maximize the benefit. Will my wife's Spousal Benefit increase after her FRA, or does it remain at 50% of my FRA at 66? If the latter is the case, I imagine it's best to file along with my wife at her FRA and then suspend my benefit until age 70? She reaches FRA in Feb 2018 and I have reached it already. Thank you.

Hi,

Spousal benefits do not accrue delayed retirement credits (DRC) if a person waits past full retirement age (FRA) to start drawing them. In other words, the maximum spousal rate is 50% of the worker's full retirement age rate (PIA) regardless of whether the spouse becomes entitled to benefits at FRA or any time after that.

However, your wife couldn't receive spousal benefits until you start drawing your benefits. It wouldn't do any good to file and suspend your benefits, since spousal benefits can't be paid on a suspended record under the new law passed by Congress in 2015 (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/suspendfaq.html).

If your wife is insured for benefits on her own record, your best option may be for her file for her benefits at FRA or earlier so that you can receive spousal benefits on her record. She could then file for an excess spousal benefit when you switch to your own record at age 70.

To explore all of your filing options and determine the best strategy for you and your wife, you should strongly consider running the maximization software available on this website.

Best, Jerry