MY WIFE WILL TURN 62 IN MAY 2020. I TURN 68 IN JULY. IF SHE TAKES HER BENEFIT AT 62 CAN I TAKE A SPOUSAL BENEFIT OF 50% OF HER BENEFIT BASED ON HER NRA OF 66 AND 8 MONTHS? I PLAN ON CONTINUING TO DEFER MINE UNTIL 70. IF SHE TAKES 12 MONTHS OF BENEFITS AND THEN DECIDES SHE MADE A MISTAKE AND REPAYS WHAT SHE TOOK WILL MY SPOUSAL BENEFIT STOP AND ONLY RESTART IF SHE ONCE AGAIN CLAIMS HER BENEFIT OR WILL MY SPOUSAL BENEFIT CONTINUE?

Hi,

Yes, since you were born prior to January 2 1954 and assuming that you haven't yet applied for your own benefits you could file for a spousal benefit equal to 50% of your wife's full retirement age (FRA) rate if she starts drawing her benefits. However, until your wife reaches FRA both her benefits and your spousal benefits could be subject to full or partial withholding if she earns more than the amount allowed under Social Security's earnings test (https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/COLA/rtea.html).

If your wife files for her benefits and you file for spousal benefits and then your wife decides that she wants to withdraw her claim, not only would she have to repay any benefits that she's received but you would also have to repay any spousal benefits that you were paid.

You and your wife should strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully explore and compare your various options so that you can choose the best possible strategy for claiming your benefits.

Best, Jerry