Due to my disability (inclusion body myositis) I was retired by SSS at the age of 57 and collecting my full retirement pension. I’m now 63 years old. My question is my wife is turning 62 this February 2, 2023, can she file for spousal benefit( half of what I received) or her own SSS, which ever is higher?She is also not in good health.

Hi. If your wife files for either Social Security retirement or spousal benefits, she'll be deemed to be filing for both benefits simultaneously. She could then only be paid what is essentially the higher of the two benefit rates, and her benefit rate would be reduced for age if she starts drawing the benefits prior to her full retirement age (FRA). If 50% of your full Social Security disability (SSDI) benefit rate is more than your wife's own unreduced Social Security retirement benefit rate, the only way that she could end up with a full 50% of your rate is if she waits until FRA to apply for either retirement or spousal benefits.

However, if your wife is disabled and has sufficient Social Security earnings credits to be insured for Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits, she should probably consider applying for SSDI benefits. A person can potentially qualify for SSDI benefits at any age prior to their FRA, and SSDI benefits aren't reduced for age. Plus, your wife wouldn't be deemed to be filing for spousal benefits if she files for SSDI benefits. So, if 50% of your full Social Security disability (SSDI) benefit rate is more than your wife's own primary insurance amount (PIA), she could potentially collect just SSDI benefits until FRA and then apply for unreduced spousal benefits when she reaches FRA. A person's PIA is equal to their monthly Social Security retirement benefit rate if they start drawing their retirement benefits at FRA, or their full SSDI benefit rate.

It sounds like your wife should strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully analyze all of her various filing options so that she can make sure that's she chooses the best possible option for maximizing her benefits.

Best, Jerry