Can my wife claim spousal SS benefits before I reach FRA in 2027? WEP impact questions

I just went through this exact situation with my wife! Here's what you need to know: your wife CANNOT receive spousal benefits until you actually file for your own benefits. It doesn't matter if you've reached your FRA - if you're not collecting, she can't get spousal benefits. And yes, your math is correct. She would get the difference between her own benefit and half of yours. So $4,250 ÷ 2 = $2,125, minus her $1,500 = $625 additional as spousal benefit. For survivor benefits, she would indeed get your full benefit amount if you pass away, replacing her smaller benefit. The real question is whether it's worth you filing early to get her the spousal boost now, or waiting to maximize your own benefit (which also maximizes her potential survivor benefit later).

You should check if ur wife can file a restricted application for spousal benefits only and let her own benefit grow!! My neighbor did this and got way more $$

my head hurts trying to understand all these rules! good luck figuring it out! 😵

For the most accurate calculation, you really need to create "my Social Security" accounts for both you and your wife, and use the calculators there. The WEP adjustment isn't a simple calculation, and the amount of the reduction depends on how many years of substantial earnings covered by Social Security your wife has. A common strategy for couples with a significant benefit disparity is for the higher earner to delay until 70 to maximize the eventual survivor benefit, while the lower earner claims earlier. However, this means forgoing spousal benefits until the higher earner files. One option to consider: you could file for benefits at your FRA, allowing your wife to claim spousal benefits, then immediately suspend your benefits to continue earning delayed retirement credits. This would allow your benefit to grow while your wife receives spousal benefits. This strategy is called "file and suspend" and is still available, though with different rules than before 2015.

I've been fighting with SSA for MONTHS trying to get my spousal benefits sorted out!!! They keep losing my paperwork and every time I call I sit on hold for 2+ HOURS before getting disconnected!!! It's RIDICULOUS how they treat us seniors who paid into the system our whole lives!!!

Social Security retirement specialist here. Let me clarify a few things: 1. Spousal benefits: Your wife cannot receive spousal benefits until you file for your own retirement. The amount would be the difference between her own benefit and up to 50% of your PIA (Primary Insurance Amount). 2. WEP reform: The recent changes to WEP will help your wife, but the increase may be phased in gradually depending on her work history. Don't count on the full increase immediately. 3. Survivor benefits: If you pass away, she would receive your full benefit amount as a survivor benefit (assuming she's at her FRA when she claims it). 4. Delayed retirement: If you wait until 70, your benefit increases by approximately 8% per year beyond your FRA. This increases both your retirement benefit AND the potential survivor benefit your wife would receive. 5. File and suspend: As mentioned above, you could file at FRA then immediately suspend, which allows your benefit to grow while enabling spousal benefits. However, during suspension, no benefits are payable on your record except for divorced spouse benefits. The optimal strategy depends on your health, longevity expectations, and financial needs. A delayed benefit means a larger survivor benefit, which provides better long-term security for your wife.

wait so does the WEP thing mean his wife gets less money or more money? im confused

my brother waited till 70 to collect and then died at 72! all those years of not collecting and higher benefit gone to waste. jus something to think about