Ask Larry

Can My Husband Change To A Spousal Benefit If I File And Suspend?

My husband began taking SS at age 62 in 2005 for $1562 per month. I will be 67 in May 2019 and am a high wage earner so my benefit would be $3202 at age 67 I beleive. Can he change his benefit to a spousal draw if I file and suspend so I don't draw until age 70?

Hi,

No, your husband couldn't be paid spousal benefits while your benefits are voluntarily suspended (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/suspendfaq.html). However, it doesn't sound as though your husband will qualify for spousal benefits anyway.

In order for your husband to be eligible for additional spousal benefits when you apply for your benefits, your primary insurance amount (PIA) would have to be more than twice as much as his PIA. A person's PIA is the amount that they'd be paid if they file for benefits starting with their full retirement age (FRA). If your husband's reduced age 62 rate is $1562 then his PIA must be over $2000, and it wouldn't be possible for your PIA to be more than twice as much as that.

Assuming that you haven't yet filed for benefits, it sounds like your best strategy would likely be to file a restricted application for spousal benefits only as soon as possible and then switch to your own Social Security retirement benefits at age 70. You may want to use our software first, though, to confirm your optimal filing strategy.

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
Apr 17 2019 - 9:44am
MaxiFi software running on a laptop
Get What's Yours!
Discover tens of thousands in extra retirement dollars with Maximize My Social Security software!
  • Find your maximized strategy
  • Unlimited what-ifs
  • Step-by-Step filing instructions
  • Our software's lifetime-benefit increase for an illustrative couple earning $65K each and planning to take retirement benefits at 62.

    Results will differ based on your specific case and filing strategy.

Getting Started is Easy
Web-based software. Works on ALL browsers. No download.