Ask Larry

If My Wife Files For Spousal Benefits Now Will She Be Able To Collect Even Though My Benefits Are Suspended?

My wife filed and is collecting early SS benefits when she turned 62 in 2015 from her own earnings. Her spousal benefits will be greater than her own SS benefits. I filed for SS and suspended my benefits when I turned 66 in June 2020. If she files for spousal benefits now will she be able to collect those benefits now or willl her spousal benefits also be suspended until I start collecting my benefits at age 70 in 2024?

Hi. If your wife applies now, any spousal benefits for which she qualifies will be suspended for as long as your benefits are suspended. That's due to a change in the Social Security law passed by Congress in 2015 (https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/claiming.html).

However, since your wife has already reached full retirement age (FRA), no harm would be done if she goes ahead and files now for spousal benefits. Assuming she qualifies, her spousal benefits should then automatically start being paid as soon as your benefits are reinstated.

Best, Jerry

Category: 
Posted: 
May 6 2022 - 12:35pm
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