I am 60 and eligible for RR retirement at age 62. My wife is 2 years older than me. Can she draw SS from 62-64 and then switch to RR Retirement (spousal portion)?

Hi,

Yes, your wife could take reduced retirement benefits on her own record at 62, assuming that she qualifies, and then later get Railroad spousal benefits. I can't tell you whether or not that's her best strategy, though.

If your wife is drawing Social Security and then becomes eligible for Railroad spousal benefits, she'll receive the higher of a) her Social Security benefit, or b) her Railroad tier 1 benefit, plus any Railroad tier 2 benefit for which she qualifies. The most advantageous filing strategy largely depends on the relative rates of her potential Social Security and tier 1 RR benefits.

Best, Jerry