My birth date is 06-12-1950 I will be 70 on June 12th, i plan on filing for my benefits in march.Is it best to file on line or in the office. My wife will be 64 on 04-07-20 she plans to retire the end of July. I will retire dec.31-2020. She can file after me right? Will her benefits be half of mine.

Hi,

I don't think there's any best way to apply for benefits. If you're comfortable filing online, then that may be easier for you. But, you could also file by phone or in person at a Social Security office. It's just up to you.

The most that your wife could be paid as a spouse while you're living is 50% of your primary insurance amount (PIA). A person's PIA is equal to their Social Security retirement benefit rate if they start drawing at full retirement age (FRA). If you start drawing your benefits effective with the month you reach age 70 you'll be paid 32% more than your PIA, so your wife's spousal rate would be much less than half of your actual benefit rate. Furthermore, your wife would only be eligible for a full 50% of your PIA as a spouse if she waits until her FRA to start drawing. If she starts drawing before then her benefit rate will be reduced for age. Your wife could potentially claim spousal benefits as early as the month you elect to start your benefits, or anytime thereafter.

You don't mention whether or not your wife will be eligible for benefits based on her own work record, but if she is then couldn't file for spousal benefits without also filing for her own benefits at the same time. She can only be paid the higher of those 2 benefit rates, so if her own PIA is more than 50% of your PIA she couldn't qualify for spousal benefits.

If your wife is eligible for her own benefits she could file anytime without regard to when you file for your benefits, but if she files for benefits prior to FRA her benefits could be partially or fully withheld if she earns too much. That's due to Social Security's earnings test, which is explained on the following Social Security website: https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/whileworking.html. The earnings test could also apply to your wife's spousal benefits if she files prior to FRA.

You and your wife may want to strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to explore and compare all of your various options so that you can determine the best strategy for maximizing your benefits.

Best, Jerry