Ask Larry

Can I File On My Record Now, And On My Husband's Record Later?

If I am 66 and my husband is 62 can I take my SS now then switch to my husbands when he turns 66 or 70? Does it matter if he waits till he's 70? And does my share of his SS have to be TWICE as much as my SS?

Hi,

You can't switch to your husband's account later, but you can apply for an excess spousal benefit when he applies. And yes, his full retirement age benefit amount (PIA) would need to be more than twice as much as your PIA in order for you to receive an excess spousal benefit. Whether he files at age 66 or 70 would have no effect on the amount of your potential excess spousal benefit.

If you are sure that your own benefit amount, even if you waited until age 70 to apply, would be less than one-half of your husband's full retirement age benefit (PIA), filing on your own record at full retirement age would likely be your best option. However, you may want to consider running the maximization software available on this website in order to be sure.

Best, Jerry

Category: 
Posted: 
Jul 27 2016 - 12:45pm
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