Ask Larry

When I File For My Retirement Benefit, Can My Wife Collect A Spousal Benefit?

Hi Presidential Candidate,

Got a quick question for you that I think I know the answer but I want to confirm. My wife is five years older than me. If she filed for her own SS at her FRA, can she switch to spousal benefit when I apply at either 66/10 or 70? I think congress might have closed this "loophole" but there are only about five million rules, I could be wrong.

Thank you

Dear Hugh, Once you file for your retirement benefit, your wife can file for her excess spousal benefit, which will be added to her check if it's the excess spousal benefit is positive. It equals the difference between a) half of your full retirement benefit and b) 100 percent of her full retirement benefits bumped up by any delayed retirement credits she accrues.

best, Larry

Category: 
Posted: 
Sep 6 2016 - 8:15am
MaxiFi software running on a laptop
Get What's Yours!
Discover tens of thousands in extra retirement dollars with Maximize My Social Security software!
  • Find your maximized strategy
  • Unlimited what-ifs
  • Step-by-Step filing instructions
  • Our software's lifetime-benefit increase for an illustrative couple earning $65K each and planning to take retirement benefits at 62.

    Results will differ based on your specific case and filing strategy.

Getting Started is Easy
Web-based software. Works on ALL browsers. No download.