I previously asked this with some wrong. Please let me try again and I thank you in advance for a second reply!
Full retirement age for both my husband and me is 66. We both started collecting SS last year at that age. My husband's SS amount is less than half of what I receive (I collect $2000, he collects $800). Is he eligible to collect spousal benefits being half of my amount ($1000)? If so, when would that start if we went to SS to make the change? Would he have to stop collecting now and wait until age 70 for the higher rate? Thank You!

Hi,

If the benefit amounts that you cite in your question are your full rates before any deductions, then it sounds like your husband would be eligible for spousal benefits on your record. His spousal rate would be determined by subtracting his own primary insurance amount (PIA) from 50% of your PIA, or $200 based on your figures. That would then be added to your husband's own benefit rate to give him a total rate of $1000 based on what you've stated. In other words, he would not stop receiving his own benefits but would instead receive additional spousal benefits.

Your husband could claim spousal benefits retroactively for up to 6 months if he was at least age 66 all of that time. But, if he was entitled to spousal benefits when he filed for his own benefits then that application should protect his ability to claim the spousal benefits effective with the same month that his own benefits started. Spousal benefits do not get any higher if you wait past full retirement age to start drawing them, so your husband wouldn't want to delay claiming the spousal benefits if he qualifies for them.

Your husband couldn't suspend his own benefits and draw spousal benefits instead, if that's what you had in mind. However, if he's been drawing his benefits for 12 months or less he may be able to withdraw his application (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/withdrawal.html). He could then file just for spousal benefits only on your record, but he could only claim the spousal benefits retroactively for a maximum of 6 months. He could then re-apply for his own benefits at age 70 if his benefit rate is higher at that point than the spousal benefits. Before pursuing this course of action, though, your husband should strongly consider using our maximization software to make sure that it would benefit him in the long run.

Best, Jerry