I turned 62 1/2, worked for 11 years, and wanna file for for social security reitirmenent benefits now. My husband is 65 and plans to file for his social security retiirement this time next year. Am i entitled to file for spousal benefits under my husband at that time ? If yes, how much will be my benefits?

Hi,

Yes, in fact when you file for your benefits you'll be deemed to also be applying for spousal benefits. No one born after January 1 1954 is allowed to apply for either retirement or spousal benefits without being deemed to be filing for both benefits at the same time. You can't qualify for spousal benefits, though, at least until your spouse starts drawing his benefits.

Regardless of when you file for your benefits, you could only qualify for spousal benefits if 50% of your husband's primary insurance amount (PIA) is higher than your own PIA. A person's PIA is equal to their Social Security retirement benefit rate if they start drawing their benefits at full retirement age (FRA). You can basically only be paid the higher of the two benefit rates, and your rate will be reduced for age if you start drawing prior to FRA.

I have no idea how much you might qualify for, but here's an example to illustrate how the computations work. Lets say Amy filed for her benefits in 2018 at age 62. Amy's primary insurance amount (PIA), or full retirement age rate, would be $800, but Amy's rate is reduced for age to $590. This year, when Amy is 64, her husband applies for his benefits. Amy's husband's PIA is $2000, so Amy's unreduced excess spousal rate is calculated by subtracting her PIA from 50% of her husband's PIA. In Amy's case, that amounts to $200 (i.e. $2000/2 - $800). However, since Amy is only 64 when she becomes eligible for spousal benefits her spousal rate is reduced to $161. That amount is then paid in addition to Amy's own reduced rate of $590 to give her a combined rate of $751 (i.e. $590 + $161).

You and your husband should strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully analyze the options available to you in order to determine your best strategy for maximizing benefits.

Best, Jerry