Hi Larry, just a bit confused about spousal benefits at 70, vs FRA. If I wait until 70 years to collect my SS, does my spouse get 50% of my increased benefit at 70 or 50% of my PIA, we are both the same age 62 and waiting to FRA. I read an article on Forbes where you stated yes and no on two different articles. Under one article someone states Is It True That My Wife's Widow's Rate Would Be Based on My FRA Rate Even If I Delay Until 70? you stated no, that spouse’s benefit would be at full age 70 rate. link https://www.forbes.com/sites/kotlikoff/2019/08/07/ask-larry-how-can-i-fi... on another article under Can My Wife File At 62 And Later Get Full Social Security Spousal Benefits? you wrote a note that even if was unreduced spousal benefit would be 50% of your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which is equal to your full retirement age (FRA) retirement benefit amount, not 50% of your increased benefit at 70. link https://www.forbes.com/sites/kotlikoff/2019/07/17/ask-larry-can-my-wife-...

Hi,

The articles you cite refer to 2 different benefit types, specifically spousal vs. survivor benefits. The maximum amount that can be paid to a spouse on a living worker's record is 50% of the worker's primary insurance amount (PIA). A person's PIA is the amount they would receive if they start drawing their Social Security retirement benefits at full retirement age (FRA). So, as long as you're still living, even if you wait until age 70 to start drawing your benefits your wife couldn't receive more than the higher of her own benefit rate or 50% of your PIA.

However, a surviving spouse can receive up to the deceased spouse's full benefit rate inclusive of any delayed retirement credits (DRC) earned by the deceased. So, if you wait until age 70 to start drawing your benefits and then die before your wife she could receive up to the higher of her own benefit rate or your full age 70 rate.

You and your wife may want to strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to explore and compare your options so that you can choose the best possible strategy for claiming your benefits.

Best, Jerry