I started drawing Social Security at 62. My husband is planning to retire at 66. Will I get his ss when he retires and not mine?

Hi. You won't stop getting your own benefits when your husband starts drawing his benefits, but you may be able to qualify for an additional partial spousal benefit from his account. Once you start drawing your own Social Security retirement benefits those benefits continue for life. If you later become eligible for a higher benefit on someone else's account, Social Security pays a partial benefit from that account in addition to the person's own benefit.

You'll only qualify for additional spousal benefits 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).

For example, say Amy filed for her benefits in 2018 at age 62. Amy's PIA would be $800, but Amy's rate is reduced for age to $590. This year, when Amy is 65, her husband applies for his benefits. Amy's husband's PIA is $2000, so Amy's unreduced excess spousal rate is calculated by subtracting her PIA from 50% of her husband's PIA. In Amy's case, that amounts to $200 (i.e. $2000/2 - $800). However, since Amy is only 65 when she becomes eligible for spousal benefits her spousal rate is reduced to $177. That amount is then paid in addition to Amy's own reduced rate of $590 to give her a combined rate of $767 (i.e. $590 + $177).

You and your husband may want to strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully analyze the options available to you in order to determine your best strategy for maximizing your benefits.

Best, Jerry