Can I claim Social Security spousal benefits at 62 while still working full-time?

Yes, you can claim spousal benefits at 62 even while working, BUT you need to understand two major things that will affect you: 1) Since you're under your Full Retirement Age and still working, you'll be subject to the Social Security earnings test. For 2025, if you earn over $22,500, they'll withhold $1 in benefits for every $2 you earn above that limit. With your $68,000 salary, most of your spousal benefit would be withheld. 2) Your spousal benefit will be permanently reduced by approximately 30% because you're claiming at 62 instead of your FRA (67). Also important - if you have your own work record, SSA will require you to file for your own retirement benefits first, then they'll pay the additional spousal amount if your husband's benefit would provide more. This is called "deemed filing" and is mandatory if you file before your FRA.

my sister tryed to do this last year and it was a MESS!!!!! she ended up getting almost nothing cause of the earings test thing. they took like ALL of it back. plus now shes stuck with the lower amount forever. dont do it!!!

There's a critical piece of information you need to understand: since you have your own work record AND you're applying before your FRA, you'll be subject to deemed filing rules. This means you MUST file for your own retirement benefits first, and then you'll only get additional spousal benefits if your husband's record would give you more. At 62, your own retirement benefit would be reduced to about 70% of your full amount. Additionally, the maximum spousal benefit is 50% of your husband's PIA (Primary Insurance Amount), but that's ALSO reduced to about 35% when claimed at 62. With your earnings of $68,000, the earnings test will likely withhold most or all of your benefits anyway. My recommendation: wait until at least your FRA (67) to file, when the earnings test no longer applies and you'd get the full 50% spousal benefit if it's higher than your own.

Have you created your my Social Security account online yet? You can see estimates of your own benefit at different ages. That might help you compare what you'd get from your own record versus spousal benefits. Just be aware those estimates don't include reductions from early filing or the earnings test.

The SSA is IMPOSSIBLE to reach by phone these days!!! I spent 3 WEEKS trying to ask this EXACT question about spousal benefits. Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through - they got me a callback from SSA in under 2 hours! The agent confirmed everything people are saying here about the earnings test. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU

DONT FORGET ABOUT TAXES!!!!! If ur making $68k plus then getting SS benefits, up to 85% of those benefits will be TAXABLE!!!! The government really doesnt want us to have anything does it???? just another reason to maybe wait until ur actually ready to retire or at least cut back your hours.

One more thing to consider - waiting until your FRA gives you more flexibility. At FRA, you could choose to file a "restricted application" for ONLY spousal benefits (if you were born before Jan 2, 1954) while letting your own retirement benefit grow until age 70. This strategy could significantly increase your lifetime benefits. Given your current salary and age, waiting is almost certainly your best financial move.

Thank you all SO MUCH for your helpful responses! Based on everything you've shared, I'm going to hold off on claiming any benefits until at least my FRA. It just doesn't make financial sense to claim early with: - The earnings test that would withhold most benefits - Permanent reduction for early claiming - Deemed filing requirements - Tax implications I'm going to look more closely at my own earnings record and see what my benefit would be at 67 versus my husband's spousal benefit amount. Really appreciate all the knowledge and experience shared here!