Hi Larry, I started drawing my own Social Security at age 62 and am now 69 years old. I am four months older than my spouse, who also started drawing his Social Security at age 62. He will be 69 years old on March 9th. I was told by a friend that a can draw a partial of his Social Security. Is this information correct? My spouse receives almost three times what I receive.

Hi. Yes, it's certainly possible to be able to qualify for a partial, or excess, spousal benefit in addition to your own Social Security benefit. However, you would only qualify if your husband's primary insurance amount (PIA) is more than twice as much as your own PIA. A person's PIA is equal to their Social Security retirement benefit rate if they start drawing their benefits at full retirement age (FRA).

If both you and your husband started drawing your benefits at age 62 and if his benefit rate is nearly 3 times as much as yours, then it certainly sounds like you may be able to qualify for an excess spousal benefit. The only way to know for sure though is to contact Social Security and apply for spousal benefits.

Best, Jerry