Dear Liz: My husband turned 70 this past May and waited until then to take his Social Security. I am 61 and will qualify for a benefit based on my work history, although my benefit is substantially less than his. I understand I can take half of his benefit at my full retirement age of 67. I asked a Social Security representative if I could take my (reduced) benefit at age 62 and then switch to half of my husband’s benefit at 67. She told me I should file at 62 and take half of his benefit at that time. That sounds too good to be true, and your article and others I’ve read disagree with her advice.
Answer: Social Security representatives aren’t supposed to give people advice about when or how to claim their benefits. But ideally they would offer correct information about your options.
Congress did away with most people’s ability to switch from a spousal benefit, which is up to 50% of their partner’s amount, to their own benefit. Now when you apply for Social Security, you’ll be considered to be applying for both a spousal benefit and your own benefit and you’ll get the larger of the two. There’s no switching later.
It could be that your own benefit will always be smaller than your spousal benefit, regardless of when you apply. But that doesn’t mean it’s a smart decision to lock in a permanently reduced benefit by applying early.
AARP has a free Social Security claiming calculator you can use to explore the impact of applying at different ages.
Dear Liz, I sent You 2 letters hopefully you will get the 2 one . My SS payment is going to be decreased w close to $500 because of IRMAA.(I sold my family house back home for which paid capital gain taxes twice over there and here.I locked my money in CD after a scam and went back to work part time). I want to appeal need a representative a lawyer or CFP. Can not find any support though I got a list of names fromSS. pls help w referral or advice or both. Thanks. Elka Milev
I can’t provide referrals but here’s information about how to appeal: https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/lower-irmaa
I am older than I wife and I have a defined retirement pension. I filed for social security at age 67. I now receive approximately $205 a month. I consider myself lucky to receive that. My wife is currently 63. When my wife turns 65-67 and files for her social security she will receive close to $3000. Shortly after that can I file to receive the higher amount from her social security?
You can always try but your spousal benefit may be reduced or even eliminated by your pension. You can learn more here: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/gpo-wep.html