I just turned 62 and would like to file for SS. My wife will continue to work . Her SS will be much higher than mine when she becomes eligible. Can I suspend my claim at that time and claim myself as spouse, I believe her fifty percent will be higher than my full.
Thanks.

Hi,

No, but you can later file for an excess spousal benefit when your wife files for her benefits. However, if you choose to start drawing reduced benefits on your own record at age 62, those benefits will be reduced by around 25%, and that reduction will continue for the rest of your life.

For example, say that your own full retirement age (FRA) benefit rate would be $800, but you choose to start drawing at age 62 and receive $600 instead. Then, say your wife files for her benefits when you reach FRA at age 66, and her full retirement age rate is $2000. Your unreduced excess spousal benefit would then be $200 (i.e. $2000/2 - $800), which would be added to your reduced retirement benefit of $600. So, in other words, instead of receiving a full 50% of your wife's benefit rate, the $200 reduction that you took to start your own benefits early would continue.

Furthermore, unless you were born prior to January 2 1954, when you file for benefits on your own record, you will be deemed to have also applied for spousal benefits as soon as you first become eligible for them. This is due to the new deeming law passed by Congress in 2015 (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/deemedfaq.html). So, if you file for your benefits at age 62 and your wife applies for her benefits before you reach FRA, any excess spousal benefit for which you may qualify would also be reduced for age.

You may want to run the maximization software available on this website before making any decisions about when to file for benefits.

Best, Jerry