Ask Larry

Will My Wife Receive More If She Files For Spousal Benefits?

My wife and I both will retire in 2022,I will be 62 she will be 63, social security shows her at 750 a month and me at 1950 a month at that time.Would she receive more if she filed for spousal benefits?

Hi,

Your wife can't file for spousal benefits without being required to file for her own benefits at the same time. If you're drawing your benefits and if your primary insurance amount (PIA) is more than twice as much as your wife's PIA, she would then be paid her own benefit plus a partial, or excess, spousal benefit. If she starts drawing prior to full retirement age (FRA), each benefit rate would then be reduced for age.

You and your wife should strongly consider using our software to analyze your options before deciding when to claim your benefits.

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
Aug 1 2020 - 2:25pm
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