Hi Larry, we enjoy your "Get What's Yours…" book, and would appreciate your advice. I was born in Oct. 1954, so I am not eligible for spousal benefits, but my wife (born in Nov. 1953) is eligible for "restricted" ones and she is 66. We both would like to receive our maximal SS benefits at 70, but we need some additional income before we reach 70. If I claim and suspend (until 70) my SS retirement benefits now (at 65) or in October 2020 (when I am 66, FRA), can my wife apply for her spousal benefit to receive 50% of what I am entitled? Would it work if I keep suspending receiving my benefits until 70? Can she keep working while receiving her spousal benefit, and then apply for her own maximal benefit at 70?

Hi,

No. For one thing, you couldn't voluntarily suspend your benefits until the month you reach full retirement age (FRA). And, if you did file for and suspend your benefits FRA or later your wife could not be paid spousal benefits from your account while your benefits are suspended. Since Congress passed the 2015 amendments to the Social Security Act, no auxiliary benefits can be paid from the record of a worker who voluntarily suspends their benefits after April 29 2016 except for divorced spousal benefits (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/claiming.html?intcmp=AE-RET-PLRT-REL...).

The best overall filing strategy for you and your wife depends in large part on your relative benefit rates as well as your expectations for the future. You should strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to compare all of your options so that you can choose the best plan for maximizing your benefits.

Best, Jerry