Our situation is unusual in that we have a 16 year old still at home and my husband reached FRA of 66 on May 6 (born in 1951). We believe he can file and receive benefits for both himself and our daughter until her 18th birthday in July of 2019. At that time, he plans to suspend since daughter will no longer be eligible for benefits. Will his benefit continue to earn delayed retirement credits when he suspends? Wife was born Oct. 1957, so will be 62 before husband turns 70. Would it make sense for her to then take a benefit at 62 and husband collect spousal benefit until he reaches age 70?

Hi,

Your husband could file now in order to also permit your daughter to receive child's benefits, and he could suspend his benefits after she is no longer entitled. He could then resume his payments at age 70 and receive delayed retirement credits (DRC) for the months that his benefits were suspended. DRCs add 2/3rds of 1% to your benefit rate for each month of voluntary suspension between ages 66 & 70.

However, your husband could not receive spousal benefits while his own benefits are in suspense (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/suspendfaq.html). Once a person files for retirement benefits, the only way they can receive additional spousal benefits is if half of their spouse's full retirement age rate (PIA) is higher than their own PIA.

You and your husband may want to strongly consider running the maximization software available on this website. That way, you can compare all of your options and determine the best overall filing strategy for your family.

Best, Jerry