My wife and I have recently reached FRA at age 66 (me in June; her in September). I have not applied for my Social Security benefits and intend to wait until 70 to do so. At the suggestion of our financial planner, my wife recently applied for her SS retirement benefits, which are about $400 a month, with the plan for her to receive that money until applyling for the far higher spousal benefits of $1,300 a month when I turn 70 and apply for my benefits. A Social Security representative called today to, in effect, very nicely and politely ask if we're sure we want to do that. He said his "understanding of the regulations" is that once she applies for and receives her retirement benefits that's it -- it's one or the other permanently. Is he correct? I see a number of references in "Get What's Yours'" to people taking spousal benefits while letting their retirement benefits grow, but nothing that applied to our retirement benefits then spousal benefits plan. We'd of course vastly prefer $1,300 a month versus $400 even if we have to wait four years to start to receive it. Many thanks.

Hi,

What you were apparently told is NOT correct. When you file for your benefits at age 70, your wife can apply for an excess spousal benefit, which will amount to the difference between 50% of your full retirement age benefit amount (PIA) and her own PIA. If her own PIA is $400, which it apparently is, and if your PIA is $2600, then her excess spousal benefit will be about $900 (i.e. $2600/2 - $400). The excess spousal benefit will then be added to her own benefit, making the total around $1300, assuming that the figures you quoted are accurate.

You didn't mention this, but if you haven't already done so you should file a restricted application for spousal benefits only on your wife's record effective with the month that she became entitled to benefits. You will be eligible for 50% of her PIA, or about $200 per month, which you can receive until switching to your own record at age 70. Drawing the spousal benefits will have no adverse effect on your eventual age 70 benefit rate, so there is no reason not to take them.

Best, Jerry