Can I switch from my small early SS retirement to full spousal benefits when my husband reaches FRA?

Yes, you can start your own retirement benefit at 62 and then when your husband files at his FRA, you can receive spousal benefits too. BUT - and this is important - your spousal benefit will be permanently reduced because you took your own benefit early. You'll get the higher of either your own reduced benefit or the reduced spousal amount (which is less than 50% of his PIA). Unfortunately this isn't one of those "loopholes" like file-and-suspend that got closed in 2015. It's just how the system works now - early filing penalties stick with you permanently. If you wait until your own FRA to file for anything, you could get the full 50% spousal benefit. If you need the money now, take it early. If you can wait, you'll get more later. I was in a similar situation last year and decided to wait until my FRA.

they arent closing anymore loopholes the big one was file and suspend that ended in 2016!! but ya ur spousal is PERMANENTY reduced if u take your own early just how it works now, ive been on SS for 3 yrs now

Let me clarify this since there's some confusion in the responses. When you take your own retirement benefit early at 62, you'll receive a reduced amount (about 70% of your full retirement age benefit). Later, when your husband files at his FRA: 1. SSA will calculate your spousal benefit (50% of your husband's PIA) 2. Subtract your own PIA (not your reduced benefit) from that amount 3. Apply a reduction factor to the difference based on when you first claimed benefits 4. Add that reduced differential to your already-reduced retirement benefit This is called the "excess spousal benefit" and it's permanently reduced because you filed for your own benefit early. To maximize your lifetime benefits, you should calculate whether the 3+ years of early benefits outweigh the permanent reduction. If you can wait until your own FRA (which sounds like it's 67), you would get the full 50% spousal benefit when your husband files. I recommend making an appointment with SSA to get a personalized calculation for your specific situation.

My sister just went through this exact situation! She took her tiny benefit at 62 (like $790) and when her husband filed 2 years later she only got like $1,080 total instead of the $1,400+ she thought she would get. Something about "deemed filing" and "excess spousal" rules. She was SO upset. Wish she had asked here first!

I've helped many clients through this exact scenario. Here's what you need to know about taking your benefit at 62 and then adding spousal benefits later: 1. Your own retirement benefit will be reduced by about 30% from taking it at 62 instead of your FRA (67) 2. When your husband files at his FRA, your spousal benefit will be calculated as follows: - If 50% of his PIA is higher than your PIA (not your reduced benefit), you'll get a differential amount - This differential is also reduced because you filed early - You'll receive your reduced benefit PLUS the reduced differential 3. This is NOT one of the "loopholes" that was closed. The strategies eliminated were: - File and suspend (ended April 2016) - Restricted application for spousal only (phased out for people born after Jan 1, 1954) If you need the income now, take it. But if you can wait until at least your FRA, you'll maximize your lifetime benefits, especially if your husband has longevity in his family (meaning you might receive survivor benefits for many years). The SSA website has a retirement estimator that can help with calculations: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/estimator.html

Just wanted to add that I've been trying to reach SSA for weeks to ask this exact question! Every time I call I'm on hold for hours and then get disconnected. So frustrating when trying to make important retirement decisions!

btw my friend told me something about survivor benifts being different from spousal so make sure u look into that 2!! if ur husband passes away later the early filing penalty on YOUR benefit doesnt affect survivor benefits the same way!!

DONT TRUST THE SSA CALCULATORS they haven't updated them properly with all the rule changes. My neighbor used it and got a completely wrong estimate. Then when she went to apply they told her something completely different. TYPICAL GOVERNMENT INCOMPETENCE!!!!

Thank you all so much for the helpful responses! This is much more complicated than I thought, but I understand better now. I'm going to run some calculations to see whether taking my small benefit early is worth the permanent reduction to my eventual spousal benefit. Since we have some savings, I might be able to wait until my FRA. I'll definitely try to speak with SSA directly to get exact numbers for my situation before making a final decision.