Can I file and suspend Social Security to start spousal benefits for wife without enough work credits?

Unfortunately, the file and suspend strategy you're thinking of was eliminated with the 2015 budget changes. These changes took effect in April 2016. If you suspend your benefits now, anyone receiving benefits on your record (including your spouse) will also have their benefits suspended. She won't be able to collect until you actually start receiving your benefits.

my aunt had same thing happen!!! she had to wait till uncle started his checks before she got anything. no way around it from what i heard

You're facing a common dilemma with spousal benefits. The old file-and-suspend loophole closed in 2016, as mentioned. Now you have a financial calculation to make: Is it better to start your benefits at FRA so your wife can receive her spousal benefit (roughly 50% of your PIA), or wait until 70 for a 32% boost to your own benefit? Consider your life expectancy, current income needs, and the break-even point. If you start now, you'll get smaller payments but for more years. If you wait, larger payments but fewer years. The break-even is typically around 80-83 years of age for most benefit calculations.

Have you guys looked at potentially having her apply for SSI in the meantime? If her income is low enough it might be an option until your retirement benefits start?

NOBODY MENTIONED THE GOVERNMENT PENSION OFFSET!!! Does your wife have any government pension from non-SS-covered employment?? If she does, her spousal benefit could be reduced by 2/3 of her government pension! Happened to my sister and she barely gets anything from SS even though her husband gets the max benefit!

Based on your situation, you may want to consider starting your benefit at your FRA. One key calculation: If your monthly benefit at FRA would be $3,000, waiting to 70 increases it to about $3,960. But if your wife could get a $1,500 spousal benefit (50% of your PIA) starting now, that's $1,500 × 36 months = $54,000 over 3 years. By starting now, you'd give up roughly $960 monthly in your own benefit ($11,520 annually), but your household would gain income sooner through her spousal benefit. Running these numbers with your actual benefit amounts will help you decide what makes the most sense financially.

I spent HOURS trying to get through to SSA to ask a similar question last month! I finally found a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to a rep in under 20 minutes when I'd been trying for days on my own. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU For a specific situation like yours, I'd definitely recommend speaking directly with SSA since they can look at your exact records and benefit amounts to help you make the best decision. Made a huge difference for me.

my sister said u can get retro payment up to 6 months when u file, so if u wait to file til 67.5 u still get paid from 67. not sure if that helps your plan??

One more point to consider: Once you start collecting your benefit, your wife can file for her spousal benefit, but she'll face a reduction for claiming before her own FRA. At 62, her spousal benefit would be reduced to about 35% of your PIA instead of the full 50% she'd get at her FRA. If you're doing calculations, make sure to account for this reduction since she's under full retirement age. The exact percentage depends on how many months before her FRA she files.