My wife started drawing her earned social security at age 62. I'm still working and haven't drawn mine yet. If I retire in a couple of years, and 50% of my social security is higher than she is currently receiving, will her's increase to the higher amount?

Hi,

No, not exactly. Her own benefit will always be her primary benefit since she's already filed. And, she'll keep the reduction that she took for starting benefits early for as long as both of you are living. When you file, she may or may not be eligible for an excess spousal benefit from your record. Excess spousal benefits are calculated by subtracting her full retirement age benefit (i.e. the amount she would have received if she had waited until age 66 to start) from 1/2 of your full retirement age benefit amount.

For example, say your wife filed on her account at age 62 and is receiving a reduced benefit of $750. That means that her unreduced age 66 amount would have been about $1000. In this example then, your benefit amount at full retirement age would have to be more than $2000 in order for her to be eligible for an excess spousal benefit.

There are a number of possible filing options that you should consider before you apply. You may wish to consider running the maximization software available on this website in order to determine which is best for you and your wife.

Best, Jerry