I am 61 and working. My wife, who worked in public education and thus never contributed to social security, is 68. Can she file for spousal benefits at this time? If so, should she file and suspend?

Thanks!

Hi,

Your wife can't be entitled on your account until you are. You must either be disabled or at least age 62 to be entitled on your account, so she couldn't be eligible for spousal benefits now.

Furthermore, if your wife is receiving a pension from her work that was exempt from Social Security taxes, she will very likely be subject to Social Security's government pension offset provision (GPO), which may keep her from receiving any spousal or widow's benefits on your account. Unless she is exempt, GPO would result in an amount equal to 2/3rds of her non-covered pension being withheld from her potential spousal or widow's benefits. Here is a link to more information: https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10007.pdf.

Best, Jerry