My husband, a retired Federal employee, will claim his SS benefits next year at age 70. I just turned 65. Which is better - for me to claim my SS benefits and suspend them and claim spousal benefits or for me to wait to age 70 to claim SS?

Hi,

Your best strategy is likely to apply for spousal benefits only when you reach age 66, or when your husband starts drawing if that's after you turn 66, then file on your own record at age 70. You DO NOT want to file and suspend on your own record when you apply for spousal benefits, since that will prevent you from receiving the spousal benefits. Instead, you simply file a restricted application for spousal benefits only effective with the month you attain full retirement age, which is 66 for you. You can then file a separate application for benefits on your own record when you reach age 70.

You may wish to consider running the maximization software available on this website in order to be sure that the above strategy is, in fact, the best option for you.

Best, Jerry