Hi Larry. I was born in 1953 and just started collecting my SSA benefit at age 70. I married over one year ago. My spouse also just turned 70. She has been collecting on her own benefit since she was 65. Can she now receive spousal benefits on my record since I am now collecting and if they are greater than her own benefit? If so, would they be based on my FRA amount or my age 70 amount. Thank you for your insight.

Hi. Possibly, but your wife will only qualify for spousal benefits if your primary insurance amount (PIA) is more than twice as much as her PIA. A person's PIA is equal to their Social Security retirement benefit rate if they start drawing their benefits at full retirement age (FRA), inclusive of any subsequent cost of living (COLA) increases.

In other words, your wife's spousal rate would be calculated based on 50% of the amount that you'd currently be receiving if you had started drawing your benefits at FRA, and that amount would have to be higher than what her current benefit rate would be if she had started drawing her benefits at her FRA or later. If you think that your wife may qualify for spousal benefits, she can contact Social Security to file an application.

Best, Jerry