We have a few SS claiming cases to compare. We’re not exactly sure how suspending payments works. Here is our basic information:
• Tom was born November 1953 so he is eligible to claim spousal benefits while allowing his own benefit to grow. He will wait until age 70 to claim his maximum benefit of $3700 (per current info from SS).
• Lori was born October 1955 so she has already reached her FRA.
• Lori can claim her benefit at FRA + 2 months in February 2022 (per current info from SS, her benefit at FRA was $1,630, and her max benefit at age 70 would be $2,116).

Case #1: Lori claims her SS benefit in Feb 2022 (age 66 + 4 months) and Tom claims his spousal SS benefit in Feb 2022. When Tom reaches age 70 (Nov 2023) he claims his maximum SS benefit.

Case #2: Lori claims her SS benefit in Feb 2022 (age 66 + 4 months) and Tom claims his spousal benefit in Feb 2022. When Tom reaches age 70 (Nov 2023) he claims his maximum benefit. At the same time Lori suspends her benefit (age 68 + 1 month). When she reaches age 70 (Oct 2025) she resumes her SS benefit (somewhat less than her maximum but more than her amount in Case #1).

Case #3: Lori claims her SS benefit in Feb 2022 (age 66 + 4 months) and suspends immediately. Tom claims his spousal benefit in Feb 2022. When Tom reaches age 70 (Nov 2023) he claims his maximum SS benefit. When Lori reaches age 70 (Oct 2025) she unsuspends and claims her maximum SS benefit. (We’re not sure if this is allowed; can Tom collect his spousal benefit while Lori’s benefit is suspended?)
According to our calculations, total income for Case #3 (our first choice) will overcome total income for Case #1 in 2038, and will overcome Case #2 in 2039. If Case #3 is not allowed, Case #2 (our second choice) will overcome total income for Case #1 sometime after 2044. (Case #1 will only be considered if the other cases will have a significant negative effect on Lori claiming her SS survivor benefit, should Tom pass away first.)

Could you please answer the following questions:
1. Is Case #3 allowable?
2. If Tom should pass away before Lori after she reaches age 70, do any of these Cases negatively affect her survivor benefit?
3. If Tom should pass away before Lori before she reaches age 70, do any of these Cases negatively affect her survivor benefit?
4. Do our calculations make sense?

Hi. Cases 1 & 3 are valid options, but not case 3. Tom couldn't be paid spousal benefits for any months that Lori's benefits are voluntarily suspended (https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/claiming.html).

Tom dying before Lori reaches age 70 wouldn't adversely affect her survivor benefit rate. The only thing that could adversely affect Lori's survivor rate is if Tom dies or starts drawing his own benefits prior to age 70.

You and your wife may want to strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully analyze all of your options so that you can determine the best overall strategy for maximizing your benefits.

Best, Jerry