My wife was born in April 1955 and I was born in December 1956. My wife was the lower earner and is taking her social security benefits at age 62 which will be $781/month. It would have been $1048/month at her full retirement age. My social security benefits will be $2815/month at full retirement age and $1983/month at age 62. She later plans to file for her spousal benefit when I file for social security. Depending on whether I file at 62, 63, 64, 65, 66. or at full retirement age of 66 and 4 months, would she get more monthly spousal benefits the longer I wait to file? I realize my wife will get a permanent reduction in spousal benefits because she filed early.

Hi,

If your wife starts drawing her benefits at age 62, she'll be forced to file for spousal benefits as soon as you file (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/deemedfaq.html). If you don't file until she is full retirement age (FRA) or older, her excess spousal benefit will be unreduced. Her unreduced excess spousal benefit will be calculated by subtracting her full retirement age rate (PIA) from 50% of your PIA. Based on the figures cited in your question, that would amount to about $359.50 (i.e. $2815/2 - $1048). The excess spousal benefit would then be added to her reduced retirement benefit, giving her a combined benefit of about $1,140 (i.e. $781 + $359).

If you file for your benefits before your wife reaches FRA, her excess spousal benefit will be reduced according to her age at that time. You may want to strongly consider using the maximization software available on this website in order to determine the best filing strategy for you and your wife.

Best, Jerry