I turn 70 in a few months and plan to begin my full SSI monthly payment then…My wife is over a decade younger…As it stands—and likely will continue—My full SSI payment at 70 will be > double hers at 70, let alone at 67 or 62…When she turns 62 in a few years can/should she begin taking her retirement then and then change to half of mine at age 67 or 70?…Or can/must she begin taking mine at 62 or 67 and then switch to hers at 70 if she’s trying to maximize her payment…As a busy Mother she unfortunately was home lots and couldn’t accrue the near maximal SSI payment I could and are simply trying to maximize her payment (s)…Thanks

Hi. No, there's no way that your wife could apply for either her own benefits or for spousal benefits first, and then switch to the other benefit later. Whenever your wife files for either her own benefits or for spousal benefits she'll be deemed to be filing for both benefits. She'll then be paid essentially the higher of the two benefit rates, and if she starts drawing prior to her full retirement age (FRA) her benefit rate will be reduced for age.

Starting her benefits at 62 wouldn't hurt your spouse's potential survivor rate, however, so her best filing strategy depends on several different factors. You and your wife should strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully analyze all of your options in order to determine your best strategy for maximizing your benefits.

Best, Jerry