My wife will turn 62 in January 2018 and wants to begin collecting her individual benefit of 800 a month, I will not retire for two more years in January of 2020, with an FRA of 2600 per month. Complicating issues are an adopted child who will be 10 years old, If my wife is already collecting on her work record, is she required to file for a spousal benefit if she is caring for a minor child? The child will receive half of my benefit leaving about 500 of our family maximum. Or can she wait until the child is 16 and she will be over her FRA?

Hi,

My answer assumes that your child is adopted by both you and your wife, and that your wife is caring for the child.

If your wife is drawing her own benefits when you file for your benefits, she'll be required to file for spousal benefits effective with your first month of eligibility. However, her spousal benefits will not be reduced for age if she has a child under age 16 who qualifies for benefits on your record in her care, although she'd still be stuck with any reduction for age that she took on her own record. And, if the child is already drawing child's benefits on your wife's record when you file for your benefits, the family maximum benefit (FMB) rate on your wife's record could be combined with your FMB to free up more benefits to be paid out to your wife and child. Based on the benefit rates mentioned in your question, the combined FMB would likely be high enough to pay your child a full 50% of your full retirement age rate (PIA) even if your wife is also entitled to spousal benefits.

The maximization software available on this website can sort out all of your family's various filing options and help you determine your best overall claiming strategy.

Best, Jerry