My husband and I will turn 66 in 2019. I plan on collecting Social Security at FRA. Can my husband file at age 66 and defer payments till age 70 to receive highest benefit amount. Would he qualify to receive 1/2 my SS as a spousal benefit. He was the higher income earner. I met with Social Security rep last month and he said this is true, but having read "How to get what's yours" I don't trust that I was given the correct info and it's A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE!! thanks in advance for your assistance, Kathryn and Tim

Hi Kathryn & Tom,

Yes, since your husband was born prior to January 2 1954 he could file a restricted application just for spousal benefits only at his full retirement age (FRA) and allow his own benefit rate to grow until age 70. His benefit rate in that event would be equal to 50% of your full retirement age rate (PIA). Your husband would then need to file a separate application for his own retirement benefits when he reaches age 70. He definitely wouldn't want to file for and suspend his own benefits when he turns 66 because that would prevent him from being able to receive spousal benefits (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/claiming.html?intcmp=AE-RET-PLRT-REL...). Also, your husband won't be able to receive spousal benefits for any months prior to the month you start drawing your benefits.

Although the strategy outlined above may well be best in your case, you and your husband should strongly consider using our maximization software to fully compare all of your options in order to make sure that you're choosing the best possible strategy.

Best, Jerry