My husband started collecting his social security at age 66, his full retirement age. He gets $1005 a month.
When I turn 66.5, my full retirement age, (born in 1957) my earnings will be about $2745. Can my husband,
then file and claim 1/2 my benefits, which would be about $1372 a month. If so, do I also have to start collecting at 66.5, or can I file and and suspend mine until I turn 70 when my payment would be about $3514 a month.

Hi,

Yes, your husband could receive a combined benefit amount equal to 50% of your full retirement age (FRA) rate, or primary insurance amount (PIA), but not until you file for and actually start drawing your benefits. If you file for and suspend your benefits once you reach FRA, your husband's spousal benefits would also be suspended for as long as your benefit suspension continues.

What will actually happen when you file for your benefits and your husband files for spousal benefits is that he'll continue to receive his own benefits plus the difference between that amount and 50% of your PIA. That should add up to half of your PIA as long as your husband didn't start drawing his own benefits prior to FRA.

You and your husband may want to strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to compare your various options so that you can determine which filing strategy you feel would work best for the two of you.

Best, Jerry