Good morning,

I am age 71 and began taking Social Security benefits when I turned 70. My wife will turn age 64 in May 2018. Her Social Security benefit at full retirement age 66 is $739/month. This amount is less than 25% of my current gross Social Security benefit.
1) When is the best time for my wife to apply for Social Security benefits and should she apply for spousal benefit or her own benefit?
2) Assuming that I die first, please confirm that my wife will be able to take my Social Security benefits (which are greater than her spousal benefit and greater than her own benefit).

Thanks, Ed

Hi Ed,

Since your wife was born after January 1 1954 she'll be deemed to be filing for both her own retirement benefits and for spousal benefits whenever she files for either one (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/deemedfaq.html), and if she files before her full retirement age (FRA) her benefit rate will be reduced for age. Your wife should strongly consider using our maximization software in order to compare her options and help her decide when to start drawing benefits.

Regardless of when your wife starts drawing her retirement and spousal benefits, she would receive your higher benefit rate instead of her own retirement/spousal rate if you die before her and she is at least FRA when she starts drawing the widow's benefits. If you died before your wife reaches FRA and she chose to start drawing widow's benefits early then her widow's rate would be reduced for age.

Best, Jerry