Hi Larry,

My wife filed for her Social Security retirement benefit in 2016 at age 64 and I filed for a spouse benefit on her benefit at the same time at age 66 (My full retirement age). Her current benefit is $1,188 and my PIA is $1,366 which is more than her current benefit. Now, I am age 70 and filed and received my full SS benefit. However, my wife's application for a spouse benefit against my SS benefit which would be more than her current benefit was denied? What am I missing?

Hi. If a person is already drawing their own Social Security retirement benefits when they apply for spousal benefits, their unreduced spousal rate is calculated by subtracting their own primary insurance amount (PIA) from 50% of their spouse's 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). If the difference is a negative amount, then no spousal benefits are payable.

Based on your description, your wife's PIA is apparently well over half as much as your PIA, in which case she wouldn't be eligible for any spousal benefits as long as you are still living.

Best, Jerry