I will continue to work- I will be 65 in March 2017- and just started SS. Will my husband's restricted spousal benefit go up as I try to knock off my lower earning of the 35 years? What per cent per year will my own benefit year increase as I replace lower earning years? Some years being replaced will be significant.. Thanks..

Hi,

Spousal benefits are calculated based on 50% of the worker's full retirement age rate (PIA), so if you increase your PIA with additional years of higher earnings, it would also increase your husband's spousal rate on your record. However, until you reach age 66, the benefits payable on your record (i.e. your own and your husband's) will be subject to the Social Security earnings test (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/whileworking2.html). So, if you earn too much it could limit the benefits that either of you can receive for the next year or so.

You may want to run the maximization software available on this website for an answer to your other question. The method used to calculate retirement benefit rates is somewhat complicated (https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10070.pdf). The software allows you to enter projected future earnings in order to determine the effect on your benefit rate.

Best, Jerry