Hi Larry,
I began collecting my SS benefit at full retirement age. I am currently collecting $3,O00 monthly. My wife would like to retire at age 62. At full retirement age, she would receive $1,980 monthly.

How much will her monthly benefit be is she claims spousal benefits at age 62?

Thank you

Hi,

Your wife can't claim spousal benefits without claiming her own benefits at the same time. Only people born prior to January 2 1954 can do that, and only if they wait until full retirement age (FRA) or later to claim spousal benefits.

Your wife could only be paid the higher of her own benefit rate or her spousal rate, and her rate will be reduced if she starts drawing prior to her FRA. If your wife's own primary insurance amount (PIA) is more than 50% of your PIA, then she could never qualify for spousal benefits while you're living. A person's PIA is equal to their Social Security retirement benefit rate if they start drawing their benefits at full retirement age (FRA).

Your wife may want to strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully analyze the options available to her in order to determine her best strategy for maximizing her benefits.

Best, Jerry