Hi Jerry - there seem to be two conflicting answers about Spousal Benefits. One in section Spousal Benefits March 26, 2022 12:14pm "Will my wife be able to get half my social security when she turns 65" and the other in section Spousal Benefit Nov 9, 2019 10:03am If my wife starts collecting her benefits at age 62 will her rate change to half of mine when I file for my benefit". Is the reduced spousal based on age when the wife originally filed 62 or 65 age she was when the husband filed at his FRA. Thank you

Hi. Spousal benefits are reduced, if at all, based on the age of the of the spouse who's claiming the spousal benefits. The age at which the worker on whose record the spousal benefits are based claimed their benefits is irrelevant.

For example, say Jane files for Social Security retirement benefits based on her own earnings history this year at age 62. Jane's primary insurance amount (PIA), which is equal to the amount she'd be paid if she started drawing at full retirement age (FRA), is $2000. However, since Jane is filing at age 62 her benefit rate is reduced to $1400.

Jane's husband is 5 years older than Jane, and he has never had Social Security covered earnings. Since Jane's husband has already reached FRA when he becomes eligible for spousal benefits on Jane's record, his spousal rate would not be reduced for age. Therefore, Jane's spouse could be paid a full 50% of Jane's PIA, or $1000 (i.e. $2000/2), even though Jane is collecting a reduced rate of $1400.

Best, Jerry