My wife is 70 (born 8/1947) and just began receiving Soc Security, having waited until age 70 to maximize retirement credit. Soc Security administrator encouraged me (age 68, born 1/1949) to apply for spousal benefits. I am waiting for my full benefits until age 70 to maximize credits. Will taking spousal benefits now affect my full retirement credits if I take spousal benefits now and shift to my own benefits at age 70?

Hi,

No, receiving spousal benefits now will have no adverse affect on your own future retirement benefit rate.

Best, Jerry

I was born in January 1956. My husband was born in April 1953. We have been married for 30 years. My earnings are slightly higher than his. He wants to file a restricted application and collect the 50% spousal benefit based on my earnings record and hold off collecting on his earnings record until April 2023 (when he is 70). When should he apply for that benefit? Should he use the wording - spousal benefit only on the application? Do I have to collect at the same time he does for him to get the 50% spousal benefit. I would like to collect at 65, in January 2021.

I am 63 now and was taking my ssa since 62 at 750.00 per month. Husband is being told he can get 500.00 for a spousal benefit now off of my record. Being I took my monies early, what would be my spousal benefit if he takes his ssa at 67 years of age at about 2400 per month.
Every time we go into office we get different answers to our questions. Do I get anything additional for spousal benefitwhen he claims his own benefit?

Hi,

My wife filed for reduced SS benefits at age 62 based on her earnings record which is significantly less than mine. I deferred my SS benefits to age 70 to maximize my benefits. My wife applied for spousal benefits shortly after I filed. Will she receive 50% of my SS benefit as of my FRA? Does SS continue to pay her reduced early retirement benefit plus the spousal benefit reduced by her benefit to equal 50% of my FRA benefit? In other words will she receive 2 monthly payments or one combined payment or sow,thing different? Thank you

Hi,

I took spousal benefits at age 62 and am now getting only about 1/3 of my spouse’s benefits. We are both in our 70s now. Is there anything that can be done to increase that amount?

Hi,

Probably not. I can't say for certain, though, since I don't know the full facts of your case. You might want to check with Social Security to see if you are receiving all of the benefits to which you could be entitled.

Does the "low-earning" spousal benefit calculation use the spouse's PIA at the time they take her own, early benefit, or the spouse's PIA in effect when they reaches FRA and file for the excess spousal benefit? In other words, what spousal PIA is used when subtracting it from 1/2 of the high earning person's PIA? Thanks for any replies!!!

Hi,

I started to receive my soc sec benefits at age 63. I am now 66. Due to recent changes in our financial planning, I am considering 'suspending' my current benefits-planning on restarting them when I am 68 when my spouse will begin taking soc sec and I can take Spousal benefits, which will be higher than my benefit. I am doing this to increase the amount of Delayed Retirement Credit. However, I am confused from the your book??

I am 2 months older than my husband. When I turn 66 and claim my SS and my husband claims spousal SS at 66 and he waits until 70 to claim his SS, can I then switch to spousal SS to get 1/2 of his SS or am I stuck with only have my own SS?

Hi,

My husband began taking SS benefits when he turned 62 (he is now 66). His benefit is 707 per month. I am now 64 and will take my SS benefits when I am 67. My benefit at 66, as calculated now, will be 1543. Is there any benefit to my husband to take spousal benefits when I retire? Thanks.

Hi,

can my wife collect her benefit, now age 64, and switch to my higher spousal benefit at age 66 without diminishing that spousal 50% benefit

Hi,

No. If your wife starts drawing her own benefits before full retirement age (FRA), she'll be stuck with the reduction for age that comes with it. And, she'd be deemed to have also filed for spousal benefits as soon as you file for your benefits, possibly resulting in a reduced spousal rate as well.