I started drawing soc sec at 62 now I’m 70. I am now on disability soc sec. My wife has full soc sec benefits when she retires. She will be 62 in July 2018. She planning to retire in July 2018 and start her benifits. What does she to do to make best decision. My soc sec at 62 was 1300.00 and is now 1472.00 with disability. Will she draw off her work history which I think will be 1300 or should she draw off mine and freeze hers until she become full retirement age. We really don’t know what to do.

Hi,

Your wife won't ever have the option of filing just for spousal benefits and allowing her own benefit rate to grow since she was born after January 1 1954 (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/deemedfaq.html). And since her own full retirement age rate (PIA) is apparently more than 50% of your PIA, she won't be eligible for any spousal benefits in addition to her own retirement benefits. She could, however, potentially receive your benefit rate instead of her own in the event you die first, assuming that your rate is higher than hers.

Your wife may want to consider using the maximization software available on this website in order to compare her options and determine her best filing strategy.

Best, Jerry