Can I switch to full survivor benefits at FRA if I took my SS early at 62?

Taking your benefits early only permanently reduces YOUR retirement benefits, not survivor benefits. You can still get full survivor benefits at your FRA even if you took yours early at 62. The key is when you claim the survivor benefits, not when you claimed your own. For your second scenario, it works the same way. If you're already receiving reduced benefits and spousal top-up, and then your husband passes, you would be eligible for full survivor benefits at your FRA (or reduced ones if you take them earlier). Good to plan ahead with that age difference. The most important thing to remember is that survivor benefits reach their maximum at your FRA - no need to wait until 70 like with retirement benefits.

my aunt took her ss at 62 and when uncle died she got his full amount no problem!! but she was already past fra when he passed so maybe thats why it worked for her

I WISH someone had explained this to me before my husband passed!!! I took my benefits at 62 because we needed the money, then when my husband died 2 years later I was SHOCKED to find out I couldn't get his full amount because I was only 64!!! Had to wait until 66 (my FRA) to get the full survivor amount. THREE YEARS of reduced income that I wasn't expecting!!!! The SSA doesn't explain ANYTHING clearly until it's too late!!!!!

Let me clarify a couple of important points about your situation: 1) You can take your own retirement benefits at 62 (reduced) and later switch to full survivor benefits at your FRA (67) with no reduction. The early filing penalty only applies to the benefit you're claiming early. 2) For your second scenario, same outcome. If you take reduced benefits at 62, get the spousal top-up at FRA, then later become widowed, you can switch to the full survivor benefit (assuming you're at or past FRA when you make the switch). One correction to note: There's technically no "spousal top-up" that automatically happens at FRA if you've already filed early. If you file for your own benefits at 62, you'd need to file for spousal benefits separately whenever your husband files for his benefits (or is already receiving them). The spousal amount would be reduced because you filed early for your own benefits. The 10-year age difference actually gives you some strategic options for maximizing lifetime benefits.

Have you tried calling the SSA about this? I had a similar question last year and spent literally DAYS trying to get through to someone. The hold times are insane and half the time I got disconnected after waiting for hours. I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU The agent I spoke with confirmed that taking your own benefits early doesn't affect survivor benefits if you wait until FRA to claim them. Worth getting it straight from SSA so you can be 100% confident in your planning.

im confused about something... if your husband is already 67 is he already collecting his ss? because that would mean you could already be getting spousal benefits right now at 57 if you qualified for them. or am i missing something here?

Something no one has mentioned - if your husband hasn't filed for his benefits yet, and he's already 67, he should consider waiting until 70 to maximize his benefit. This would give you a larger survivor benefit down the road if he predeceases you (which statistics suggest is likely given both the age and gender differences). Each year he delays past FRA adds 8% to his benefit amount.

One other consideration: if you take your benefits at 62 and continue working before your FRA, you'll be subject to the earnings test. In 2025, if you earn more than $22,750, SSA will withhold $1 in benefits for every $2 you earn above that limit. After FRA, there's no earnings test. Just something to factor into your planning if you're still working.