I was born 12/13/1955
I want to use my own full retirement in Feb 2022, until my husband retires at his full retirement age.
Can i take my own retirement now and switch to spousal benefits when my husband retires? I know my spousal benefit will be higher than my own benefit.
I don't want to risk any reduction in spousal benefit.
Thank you very much

Hi. Not exactly. You can't switch from collecting your own benefits to drawing spousal benefits instead. However, you could start collecting your own benefits at full retirement age (FRA) and then apply for an excess spousal benefit when your spouse starts drawing his benefits, and the net effect would be the same.

For example, let's say Mary files for her Social Security retirement benefits at full retirement age (FRA). Mary's monthly benefit rate would then be equal to her primary insurance amount (PIA), which in Mary's case is $1200. Several years later Mary's husband applies for his benefits, and his PIA is $3000. Mary's excess spousal benefit would then be calculated by subtracting her PIA from 50% of her husband's PIA, which in Mary's case amounts to $300 (i.e. $3000/2 - $1200). Mary would then be paid her excess spousal amount in addition to her own benefit, making her total benefit equal to a full 50% of her husband's PIA (i.e. $1200 + $300).

Best, Jerry