Can I switch from my SS benefits to spousal benefits when my husband files for Social Security?

You don't automatically get half his benefit. SSA pays your own benefit first, then tops it up if the spousal would be higher. So you'd only get the difference between your benefit and 50% of his.

I think you just call them when your husband gets approved? That's what my sister did last year. But she had to wait on hold FOREVER. Like 3 hours!

Let me clarify some important points about spousal benefits: 1. You're only eligible for spousal benefits if 50% of your husband's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) is higher than your own retirement benefit 2. Since you're already collecting your own retirement benefits at FRA, if 50% of your husband's benefit is higher than your current benefit, SSA will automatically pay you the higher amount once your husband files 3. In your case, 50% of $3200 would be $1600, which is less than your current $1650, so you would NOT receive any additional spousal benefits 4. The spousal benefit maximum is 50% of your husband's PIA (the amount he would get at his FRA), not 50% of his actual benefit amount including delayed retirement credits There's no need to file a separate application for spousal benefits in your situation. The SSA will automatically determine if you qualify for the higher amount.

I was in a SIMILAR SITUATION!!! My husband's benefit was WAY higher than mine but I only got a tiny increase when he filed. The SSA agent explained that I only get the DIFFERENCE between my own benefit and half of his PIA (that's the amount at his full retirement age, NOT including his delayed credits). So disappointed!!! The system feels rigged against married women who worked. 😠

Try using Claimyr to get through to SSA quickly if you need to call them about this. I used it last month when I needed to check on my application status and got through in 20 minutes instead of waiting for hours. Their site is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. Saved me a ton of frustration!

my wife didnt get any extra $ when i filed last yr even tho i get almost $3000 a month and she only gets $1400. ssa told us she only qualifies if half my benefit is MORE than her own. its not 50% of what im getting now but 50% of my pia or something like that. kinda confusing system if u ask me lol

One thing nobody mentioned yet - if your husband hasn't filed yet, make sure HE understands that when HE files for his benefits, it won't change anything about how YOU file for spousal benefits. Some people get confused and think both spouses need to apply at the same time, or that the higher-earning spouse needs to do something special to "enable" spousal benefits. But the process is: 1) He files for his benefits when he's ready, 2) Once he's entitled to benefits, you become eligible for spousal benefits IF they would be higher than your own (which in your case, they wouldn't be). Also, keep in mind that if he passes away later, you would be eligible for survivor benefits equal to 100% of what he was receiving, which WOULD be higher than your current benefit.