I am 74 and claimed SS benefits at 70. My wife was born 3/26/1958. If she files for spousal benefits at age 62 + 1 month (reduced amount, I know), when she files for her regular benefits at her FRA, will those benefits also be reduced because of the early filing for spousal benefits?

Hi,

The filing strategy you're proposing is not a viable option. No one is permitted to file just for reduced spousal benefits prior to full retirement age (FRA) without also being required to file for their own Social Security retirement benefits at the same time. And, since your wife was born after January 1 1954, unless she has an eligible child in her care she could never file just for spousal benefits only even if she waited until FRA to apply (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/claiming.html?intcmp=AE-RET-PLRT-REL...).

If your wife files for benefits at FRA she'd be eligible for the higher of her own full retirement age rate or half of your primary insurance amount (PIA). A person's PIA is equal to the amount of their Social Security retirement benefit if they start drawing at FRA. However, if your wife starts drawing at age 62 her benefit rate will be reduced for age. The percentage reduction would be between roughly 28% to 33% depending on whether she's only eligible for her own benefits or if she's eligible for spousal benefits.

Before filing, your wife may want to strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully explore and compare all of her various options so that she can determine the best way to maximize her benefits.

Best, Jerry