I am 61, and my wfe is 63.
1. When I reach FRA, my wife can take 50% of my FRA benefits. Correct?
2. If I delay filing for benefits until age 70, my wife cannot receive 50% of my delayed retirement benefit even if she waits to receive benefits until I am age 70. Correct?
3. Can my wife receive the 50% spousal benefit when I reach FRA, and can I stiil delay receiving benefits until age 70 so that I can receive the benefit I would be entitled to at age 70?

Hi,

Your wife could potentially get 50% of your full retirement age (FRA) benefit, or primary insurance amount (PIA), if you're drawing your benefits and she's at least FRA when she starts drawing. However, if your wife is eligible for Social Security retirement benefits based on her own earnings history she couldn't get a full spousal benefit. Instead, she'd only qualify for basically the higher of her own rate or her spousal rate.

You're correct that if you wait until age 70 to start drawing your benefits your wife would not get 50% of your age 70 rate. The most she could be paid as a spouse while you're living is 50% of your PIA. However, if you wait until age 70 to start drawing and you then die before your wife, she could be paid up to your full age 70 rate as a widow.

Your wife cannot be paid spousal benefits until you start drawing your benefits, so if you wait until age 70 to start drawing your benefits then she couldn't collect spousal benefits before then. You and your wife should strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully explore and compare your options so that you can determine the best strategy for maximizing your benefits.

Best, Jerry