My wife began collecting her own social security benefits when she reached full retirement age. Now about a year later I turned 62 and have applied for my own benefit (I am the higher earner lower aged spouse). Now that I am collecting she is eligible to collect a spousal benefit equal to 50% of my PIA which is an approx. $500/month increase over her own FRA benefit. Will her benefit be automatically adjusted or is there a process through which she needs to file for the additional spousal benefits? If so how does she do this ( we can find no information on the SSA website).

Hi. No. If your wife is now eligible for spousal benefits, she'll need to file an application for those benefits. Social Security's website currently doesn't allow people to apply for spousal benefits if they're already drawing their own benefits, so your wife will need to apply by phone or in person. My understanding is that Social Security has now resumed making some in-office appointments, but until they full reopen it's more likely your wife will need to apply by phone. She can make an appointment to do so by calling Social Security at 800-772-1213.

Best, Jerry