Hi - I am an unemployed spouse, and I will be turning 62 in January. My monthly benefit is going to be very low, as I health issues have limited the number of years I was able to work, but, because of those health issues, my husband is encouraging me to file asap, rather than waiting until 65 or 70. (I have never collected SS disability, either). However - my husband is 8 years younger than I am, and plans to continue working for at least another ten years before he considers filing on his record. Am I going to be allowed to switch over from collecting on my record at that point, and collect a higher benefit on his, when he starts collecting? I've tried researching this, but it's not a common situation for spouses (I've only worked a total of 10 full years, off and on), so I can't find any guidance on this. Thank you!

Hi,

No, you can't switch from your own record to a spousal benefit, but you can file for an excess spousal benefit from your husband's record when he starts drawing. If one half of his full retirement age benefit amount (PIA) is more than your own full retirement age benefit amount, the difference would be your unreduced excess spousal benefit. That amount would then be added to the benefit that your drawing on your own record.

For example, say your full retirement age benefit is $500, but you choose to start it at age 62. Your reduced monthly benefit will then be about $375. Then say your husband files 10 years later and his PIA is $2000. Your excess spousal benefit in this example would be $500 (i.e. $2000/2 - $500). That excess benefit would then be added to your own reduced benefit to give you a total monthly benefit amount of roughly $875.

Best, Jerry