I have been reading all of your questions and answers about SS benefits, and I decided to ask you one of my own, because I can't find a similar questions. I am 78 and started collecting SS when I was 62. My husband is 68 and he, also, started collecting when he was 62. We own a business (both still working), but it took a drastic downturn several years ago, and taking SS early helped us through this situation. We are both in excellent health and plan to continue working for at least 2 more years. My question: Is there any way I can increase my SS payment at this late date (spousal benefit, etc.). My SS check is about one-third what his is due to my being out of the work world so many years to raise children. I could raise my salary if that would help increase my present SS check. Thank you for your time....
Margaret

Hi Margaret,

If 50% of your husband's full retirement age rate (PIA) is higher than your own PIA, you should qualify for spousal benefits. If both you and your husband filed at age 62 and his benefit rate is currently more than twice as much as yours, you should contact Social Security to see if you qualify for spousal benefits.

The only other way to increase your benefit rate would be through additional earnings, and you would need to earn more than one of the previous highest 35 years of indexed earnings currently being used to calculate your benefit rate (https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10070.pdf). One or two years of higher earnings likely wouldn't raise a 35 year average substantially, however, so it's unlikely that this would result in a sizable benefit increase.

Best, Jerry