I am 66 years old (born in July 1953). My wife will be 62 next December (born December 1958). We were told that I could file and suspend next December (when she turns 62). At that time, will she be able to file for spousal benefits off my work record? In doing so, will she be able to accrue credits until she reaches full retirement age while I accrue benefits until I reach age 70?

Hi,

You could file for and suspend your benefits, but your wife wouldn't be able to collect spousal benefits while your benefits are suspended. Furthermore, whenever your wife files for benefits she'd be deemed to be applying for both spousal benefits and her own benefits, so she could never draw spousal benefits while allowing her own benefit rate to grow to a higher amount in the future (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/claiming.html?intcmp=AE-RET-PLRT-REL...).

However, since you were born prior to January 2 1954 and since you haven't yet applied for your benefits, you could potentially file just for spousal benefits while letting your own benefit rate grow until age 70. But, your wife would have to be drawing her benefits in order for you to be able to collect spousal benefits.

It sounds like you and your wife should strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to explore and compare all of your various options so that you can determine the best strategy for maximizing your benefits.

Best, Jerry