I am 74 and on my own Social Security for a number of years.I collect about 1270 a month. My wife is retiring soon at 70. She will be collecting about 3800. Will I be able to make half of her SS. I was born in 1947. Thanks for letting me know about this in advance.

Hi. I can't give you a definite answer. The most you could get is 50% of your wife's PIA, though, not 50% of her age 70 rate. A person's PIA is equal to their Social Security retirement benefit rate if they start drawing their benefits at full retirement age (FRA).

You can't elect to stop receiving your own benefits and get spousal benefits instead. However, you could file for an excess spousal benefit when your wife files for her benefits, which could potentially be paid in addition to your own benefit. You'll only qualify, though, if 50% of your wife's primary insurance amount (PIA) is more than your own PIA.

If you qualify for an excess spousal benefit, that benefit would not be reduced for age since you have already reached your full retirement age (FRA). However, if you started drawing your own benefits early then you'd be stuck with the resulting reduction for age.

For example, let's say Ray files for his Social Security retirement benefits at age 62. Ray's PIA is $1500, but Ray's benefit rate is reduced for age to $1125. Many years later Ray's wife applies for her benefits when she reaches age 70. Ray's wife's PIA is $3000, but her age 70 rate is $3960. If Ray files for an excess spousal benefit his benefit rate would be calculated by subtracting his PIA from 50% of his wife's PIA. In Ray's case, that results in a benefit rate of zero (i.e. $3000/2 - $$1500). So, in this example, even though Ray's wife's benefit rate is more than three times as much as Ray's benefit, Ray wouldn't be eligible for any spousal benefits while his wife is still living.

Best, Jerry