Can my wife take benefits from my social security at 62 if I am not collecting my social security?

I was born in 1959. My husband was born in 1963. If I start taking my Social Security of $950 now will I be able to get spousal benefits when my husband turns 70. His income is much higher than mine and will be eligible for about $3500 when he turns 70.

Hi. Based on the amounts stated in your question you'd likely qualify for at least some spousal benefits when your husband starts drawing his benefits, but the amount of your spousal benefit might be substantially less than you think.

Hi Larry,
My husband is 73 and receives $1089 in SS monthly. I am 59 and at full retirement at 67 my SS benefit estimate is $1707. Can he use my higher benefit for a spousal benefit until - or after - I draw my benefit? Thanks, Sarah

I have a small pension (approx 1,000 a month) from the City Of Newton and get $208.00 from social security. The WEP takes the majority of my social security. I am almost 66 and 2 months…wondering if I can take my spousal benefit from Social Security to increase my very paltry income. I went to social security several times before the pandemic. It was confusing and what I ended up with “someone at the office” said was the best I could do. I have been unable to get a response to this question from them. Just wondering if you know.

Thanks in advance.

My husband is 70 now , got full retire benefit. I am 63 (1959) now. When I am reaching full age , I will receive 1/2 spouse benefit of my husband 66 or in his current benefit of that time.

I am receiving a small pension through Ohio STRS each month, but it is so small I continue to work at my part-time job as a tutor. I also should be receiving just under $600 each month from Social Security, but they withhold all but $236 of it and call it a "windfall" which is truly ludicrous. They keep all but $89 of the $236 to pay for my MediCare, and I pay an additional $39.50 out of pocket for a ridiculous penalty fee for not having one year of prescription coverage on my Medicare Advantage plan, plus a full-coverage dental plan.

Hi Larry,

If I retire before my FRA will that affect my wife’s spousal benefit derived from my social security.

Hi. Claiming your benefits early won't adversely affect your wife's spousal benefit rate, but it would limit her potential survivor benefit rate to the higher of your reduced rate or 82.5% of your primary insurance amount (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).

I am 74 and on my own Social Security for a number of years.I collect about 1270 a month. My wife is retiring soon at 70. She will be collecting about 3800. Will I be able to make half of her SS. I was born in 1947. Thanks for letting me know about this in advance.

Hi. I can't give you a definite answer. The most you could get is 50% of your wife's PIA, though, not 50% of her age 70 rate. A person's PIA is equal to their Social Security retirement benefit rate if they start drawing their benefits at full retirement age (FRA).

Hi Larry,
My husband will begin collecting Social Security in June, when he turns 70. I will begin collecting in July, 2025, when I reach full retirement age of 66 years 8 months. While I have earned enough to collect my own benefit, my husband’s benefit is considerably higher, so I will choose to collect half of his instead of my own. My question is: will the half I collect be based on what the amount was when he reached his full retirement age, or will it be based on the amount he will be collecting when he turns 70 (which of course is the higher amount)? Thank you!