If I file for SS at age 62, can I switch to spousal on my ex (more than 10 married years), in 2 years when they turn 62? Do I need to wait until they turn 62? Thank you.

Hi,

Not really. Once you file for your own Social Security retirement benefits you can never switch from drawing those benefits to drawing another type of benefit instead. However, if you subsequently become eligible for a higher benefit rate on another person's Social Security record you could potentially file for an additional partial benefit on the other account.

For example, say Mary files for her Social Security retirement benefits this year at age 62. Mary's full retirement age benefit rate (i.e. primary insurance amount/PIA) would be $800, but she instead receives a reduced age 62 rate of $580. Two years later, Mary's ex-husband reaches age 62 making Mary eligible for divorced spousal benefits. Mary's ex's PIA is $2000, so Mary's unreduced divorced spousal benefit rate would be $200, or 50% of her ex's PIA minus her own PIA (i.e. $2000/2 - $800). However, since Mary is only age 64 when she becomes eligible for divorced spousal benefits her divorced spousal rate would be reduced to $158. That benefit would then be added to Mary's own reduced retirement benefit rate to give her a combined rate of $738 (i.e. $580 + $158).

The only way that you could qualify for divorced spousal benefits on a living ex-spouse's record is if a) your ex-spouse is drawing his Social Security disability or retirement benefits, or b) if your ex is at least 62. So, if your ex is living and is under age 62 then you couldn't qualify for divorced spousal benefits until he reaches age 62 unless he's drawing Social Security disability benefits. Before filing for benefits you should strongly consider using our software to explore and compare all of your filing options so that you can choose the best possible strategy for claiming your benefits.

Best, Jerry