I am 66 1/2 and plan to take social security when I turn 70. By husband will be 67 1/2 when I turn 70. I was recently told at a retirement planning workshop that if my husband takes spousal support when I turn 70, he will not be able to convert this to his maximum social security benefit when he turns 70. If he waits until he turns 70 to take his maximum benefit, it will be higher than mine because his income has been higher for most of our marriage.

Hi,

If your husband was born before January 2 1954, he could file just for spousal benefits only at or after he reaches full retirement age (FRA) without being deemed to file on his own record (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/claiming.html). That way, he could allow his own retirement benefit rate to grow until age 70 even while he's drawing as a spouse on your record. Of course, you must be drawing your benefits in order for him to qualify for spousal benefits on your account.

However, that strategy won't work if your husband was born after January 1 1954. You and your husband have several potential claiming options available to you, so you should strongly consider using the maximization software available on this website to compare your options and determine your best strategy.

Best, Jerry