Full question: My husband and I are both retired. He is 68 and I am 62 and his salary has always been significantly higher than mine resulting in a higher benefit. I am planning on filing for Social Security this year at age 63 in July 2025. Can he file for spousal benefits? My husband plans to file at age 70. If I file for benefits this year at age 63, can I file for spousal benefits when he files at age 70 since it will be higher than my benefit at age 63?

Hi there,

You can file for your own Social Security benefits at age 63. When your husband files for his benefits at age 70, you may be eligible for additional spousal benefits if 50% of his Full Retirement Age (FRA) benefit is higher than your own retirement benefit at FRA. If so, you need to file for the spousal benefits when your husband files. The spousal benefit will be based on 50% of his FRA benefit, not the increased amount he will receive for delaying until age 70.

Please note that if you start drawing your own benefits before your FRA, your benefits will be reduced based on the number of months you claim early. This reduction will continue even after your husband files for his benefits, and the spousal top-up will be the difference between 50% of his FRA benefit and your reduced retirement benefit and be reduced based on the number of months you claim your own retirement benefits early.

On the other hand, your husband cannot file only for spousal benefits when you file your benefits at 63. When he files, he is deemed to be filing for all benefits he is entitled to at that time and only receives the higher of the two. Since his own retirement will be larger than a spousal benefit, he would receive his retirement benefits this year.

For personalized support, you can work with an RSSA here.

Take care,
Martha

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