Larry I am 64 and will turn 65 in aug my wife is 65 and will turn 66 in June We can defer one or both of our ss benefits. She will probably out live me. Can she get sposal benefits from my benifits then when she is 70 get her full benifits? Also could I get sposal benefits from her at the same time as she does and wait till I'm 70 to take my full benefits.

Thank you

Hi,

One of you must be drawing benefits on your own record in order for the other to file for spousal benefits. So, you can't both receive just spousal benefits while letting your own rate grow until age 70. However, one of you could start drawing retirement benefits when the other of you reaches full retirement age, which would allow one of you to receive 4 years of spousal benefits while allowing their own retirement rate to grow until age 70.

Your best filing strategy depends on a number of factors, among which is are your and your wife's relative benefit rates. You may want to use the maximization software available on this website in order to determine your best strategy.

Best, Jerry