Upon my FRA at age 67, I will be claiming SS benefits on my EX-spouse's work record.

However, do I have the option of claiming early at age 62 on MY OWN work record, BEFORE jumping to my EX-spouse's record when I reach FRA ? What, if any, downside might there be to this strategy?

Thanks, Larry.

Hi,

The potential downside of your strategy would be that you would continue to receive a reduced benefit rate for as long as both you and your ex-spouse is living. Once you file for your own Social Security retirement benefits you can't later switch to drawing another type of benefit, although you could potentially file for additional benefits on another person's record.

For example, say Jane files for her Social Security retirement benefits at age 62. Jane's primary insurance amount (PIA), which is the amount she'd receive if she waited till her full retirement age (FRA) to start drawing, is $800, but Jane instead receives a reduced age 62 rate of $520. Jane's ex-spouse is 5 years younger than her, so she doesn't become eligible for divorced spousal benefits until reaching her FRA. Jane's ex's PIA is $2000, so Jane's divorced spousal benefit would be calculated by subtracting her PIA from 50% of her ex's PIA, which in her case would be $200 (i.e. $2000/2 - $800). The $200 partial spousal benefit is then added to Jane's own reduced retirement rate to give her a combined benefit amount of $720.

Furthermore, if you file for your own benefits at age 62 you'll be deemed to also be filing for divorced spousal benefits. So, you couldn't then choose to wait until FRA to claim divorced spousal benefits. Your divorced spousal benefits would start either at the same time you claim your own benefits, or as soon after that as you qualify for divorced spousal benefits. And, if that's before you reach FRA both your own retirement benefits and your divorced spousal benefits would be reduced for age.

However, if your ex-spouse is deceased then deeming would not apply and your optional strategy would likely be different. Before filing, you should strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com) to compare your options and determine your best overall strategy for claiming your benefits.

Best, Jerry