My husband is 71 and started collecting SS at age 62. He currently receives $1334 per month. I am 64 and will retire when I am 67. My SS will be $1777. Can my husband claim spousal benefits now? Will it reduce his current monthly SS? Can I claim spousal benefits now? Will it reduce my monthly benefits when I retire?

Hi,

If your figures are accurate, your husband wouldn't be eligible for spousal benefits. Since he's already drawing his benefits, your husband would only be eligible for additional spousal benefits if your full retirement age rate (PIA) was more than twice as much as his PIA. And, even if your PIA was more than twice as much as your husband's PIA, you would have to be drawing your benefits in order for him to qualify for spousal benefits.

You couldn't draw spousal benefits now because if you file for benefits prior to your full retirement age you would be deemed to be filing for both retirement benefits on your own record as well as spousal benefits, and you would only receive the higher of the 2 rates. Since your own PIA is more than half as much as your husband's PIA, that would result in you only getting retirement benefits on your own record and your rate would be reduced for age.

However, assuming that you were born prior to January 2 1954, when you reach your full retirement age of 66 you could file just for spousal benefits only on your husband's record and allow your own benefit rate to grow until age 70. Drawing spousal benefits from age 66 to 70 would have no adverse effect on your future retirement benefit rate. It sounds like that's likely to be your best filing strategy, but you may want to consider using the maximization software available on this website in order to be sure.

Best, Jerry