My wife filed for reduced SS benefits at age 62 based on her earnings record which is significantly less than mine. I deferred my SS benefits to age 70 to maximize my benefits. My wife applied for spousal benefits shortly after I filed. Will she receive 50% of my SS benefit as of my FRA? Does SS continue to pay her reduced early retirement benefit plus the spousal benefit reduced by her benefit to equal 50% of my FRA benefit? In other words will she receive 2 monthly payments or one combined payment or sow,thing different? Thank you

Hi,

Your wife's spousal benefit amount will be computed starting with 50% of your full retirement age rate (PIA), and then subtracting her own PIA. That difference, if positive, will then be added to your wife's reduced retirement rate and combined into one payment. The excess spousal rate itself will not be reduced for age if she starts drawing it at full retirement age (FRA) or later, but she'll retain the reduction for age that she took on her own record.

For example, Mary has a full retirement age rate (PIA) of $800 but starts drawing reduced retirement benefits at age 62 at a rate of $600. Mary's husband files for his benefits when Mary is age 67, and his PIA is $2000. Mary is eligible for an excess spousal benefit of $200 (i.e. $2000/2 - $800), which would be added to her reduced retirement benefit to give her a combined rate of $800.

Best, Jerry