Can I switch to spousal benefits when husband's SS is double my amount after starting at 62?

Yes, you can potentially receive a spousal benefit, but it won't be a complete 'switch.' Since you've already claimed your own retirement benefits, you would receive what's called a 'spousal add-on.' This means you could get additional money to bring your total benefit up to a maximum of 50% of your husband's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). However, because you claimed your own benefits early at 62, your spousal benefit will be permanently reduced. The SSA will automatically calculate whether you're eligible for this spousal add-on and should start paying it if you qualify. You need to contact SSA to apply for the spousal benefit - it's not automatic. But be prepared that the add-on might be less than you expect due to the early claiming reduction and other calculations.

my sister got this. its like they take half of husbands and subtract yours. but she claimed at FRA not early so maybe different 4 u. she got like 500 extra i think

The calculation for spousal benefits when you've already claimed your own retirement benefits is a bit complex, but I'll try to break it down: 1. First, SSA determines what 50% of your husband's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) would be. The PIA is the benefit he would receive at his full retirement age, not necessarily what he's actually getting. 2. Then they compare that amount to your own benefit at your full retirement age. 3. If 50% of his PIA is higher than your full benefit, you can receive the difference as a spousal add-on. 4. BUT since you claimed at 62, both your retirement benefit AND your potential spousal benefit are permanently reduced. In your case, you'd need to know both your PIA (not just your reduced benefit) and your husband's PIA to calculate this accurately. SSA will do this calculation for you when you apply for spousal benefits. You should definitely apply though - even if the increase is small, it adds up over time!

This whole system is RIDICULOUS! Why should you be PENALIZED for taking YOUR OWN MONEY early when you NEEDED IT??? And now they penalize you AGAIN on the spousal benefit?? This is exactly what happened to my mother and she ended up with barely anything extra despite my dad's benefit being WAY higher. The SSA just makes everything complicated ON PURPOSE so people don't get what they deserve. And good luck trying to talk to anyone there to figure it out - you'll be on hold for HOURS only to get disconnected!!

I was in almost the exact same situation last year. After struggling to reach someone at SSA for weeks (constant busy signals and disconnections), I finally found a service called Claimyr that got me through to a real person at Social Security in about 20 minutes. I explained my situation about potentially qualifying for spousal benefits after my husband filed, and they were able to process my application right over the phone. In my case, I ended up getting about $430 extra per month as the spousal add-on, which has made a significant difference. You can check them out at claimyr.com - they have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. Definitely worth it to avoid the frustration of trying to get through yourself.

My understanding is that when you file for spousal benefits after already receiving your own retirement benefits, you should receive the higher of either: 1. Your own benefit amount, OR 2. Up to 50% of your spouse's benefit (reduced if you claim before your FRA) Since you started at 62, your spousal benefit would be reduced to approximately 32.5-35% of your husband's PIA rather than the full 50%. The exact percentage depends on your year of birth and exactly how many months before FRA you claimed. The good news is that SSA should automatically recalculate this for you when your husband filed. Did you list yourself as a spouse on his application?

Just went through this with my parents! Mom got about $380 more after dad filed, but it took nearly 3 months to start showing up in her direct deposit. SSA is so backlogged right now. You might already be approved but just waiting for processing.

I'm dealing with weird SS stuff too right now but mine is about disability not retirement but still can't get anyone on the phone either it's so frustrating I've been calling for like 2 weeks straight and when I do get through after waiting forever they transfer me and then I get disconnected anyway sorry not helpful just commiserating

To follow up on some of the questions and confusion here: 1. The spousal benefit is NOT automatic in most cases - you generally need to apply for it. 2. The maximum spousal benefit is 50% of your spouse's PIA, but that's only if you wait until your own Full Retirement Age to claim spousal benefits. 3. Since you claimed at 62, your spousal benefit will be permanently reduced to around 32.5%-35% of his PIA (depending on your birth year). 4. The actual calculation SSA does is: (reduced spousal benefit amount) - (your own retirement benefit). 5. So you'd receive your own benefit plus potentially some additional amount as the 'spousal add-on.' To apply, you can call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local office. I recommend bringing documentation showing both your and your husband's benefit amounts. Also bring your marriage certificate, as they'll need to verify your relationship.