I read your book, and thought I understood what the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 meant for us. My husband was born in 1952 and I in 1957. So, he was 62 or older by January 1, 2016, but I was not. So I understand that we are not grandparented in and can no longer collect one full spousal benefit between full retirement age and age 70.

He collected early, filing effective October 2014 (I believe) as his first reduced payment of $1,735 was in November 2014. His earnings are 62% more than mine. I will be 62 next month and calculate my PIA at FRA as $1,738, with reduced at $1,260, and $2224 at age 70.

So - here's my question: I ran our numbers through an online calculator and the recommended strategy was for my spouse to suspend his retirement benefit today and I file to begin 4/2019 at age 62 and 1 month. The my spouse should unsuspend his retirement benefit 1/2022 at age 70. This option is NOT available to us because I was not 62 in January of 2016. Right? Thanks in advance.

Hi,

Your husband CAN suspend his benefits and reinstate them at age 70, and you could file for your own Social Security retirement benefits at age 62. What you couldn't do is file for spousal benefits only without also filing for your own retirement benefits at the same time, and since your primary insurance amount (PIA) is more than 50% of your husband's PIA, you could never qualify for spousal benefits. And, since your husband has already filed for his retirement benefits he couldn't qualify for spousal benefits on your record even if he suspends his benefits and you file for your benefits at age 62.

I don't know what online calculator you used, but you and your husband should strongly consider using our software to compare all of your various options and determine your optimal strategy for claiming your benefits.

Best, Jerry