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Can My Wife File For Reduced Retirement Benefits At Age 62 And Get A Full 50% Of My Benefit At FRA?

My birth date is Aug 7,1949 and my wife's birth date is Jan 3, 1958. I was on SS Disability as I turned 66. As my benefit was changing from disability to regular SS at age 66, I suspended it, waiting until I reach 70 to resume benefits.
My question is can my wife start collecting her SS at age 62 (which is a very small amount) and then at her full retirement age of 66 yrs and 8 Months change over to Spousal Benefits and collect 50% of my SS. I have both of your SS books, the first one and the revised one but still can not figure this out. THANKS

Hi,

No. Whenever your wife files for retirement or spousal benefits, she'll be deemed to file for both benefits (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/deemedfaq.html). And, if she files for benefits prior to full retirement age (FRA), both benefit rates will be reduced. If she files at age 62, the rate reduction would be between 28% to 33%.

Your wife may want to consider using the maximization software available on this website in order to explore her filing options and determine her best strategy.

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
Apr 5 2017 - 8:00am
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