Can my younger husband claim on my Social Security at 62 while letting his benefit grow until FRA?

I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but what you're describing isn't possible anymore. The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 eliminated the "restricted application" strategy for anyone born after January 1, 1954. Since your husband was born after that date, when he files for any Social Security benefit, he'll be deemed to be filing for all benefits he's eligible for and will receive the highest amount. He can't choose to take only spousal benefits while letting his own grow. In your situation, when your husband files at 62, he would receive his own reduced retirement benefit (about 70% of his PIA due to the early claiming reduction). He couldn't receive spousal benefits based on your record unless that amount was higher than his own benefit (which it wouldn't be since his PIA is higher than yours).

Speaking from experience, the SSA phone lines are nearly impossible to get through these days. After struggling for weeks to get specific answers about my own spousal benefit situation, I discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com) which got me connected to an actual SSA agent in about 15 minutes instead of waiting on hold for hours or getting disconnected. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Once I actually spoke with an agent, I learned that my situation (similar to yours with an age difference) was much more complex than online resources suggested. The personalized information made a $430/month difference in my planning!

Since your husband has the higher PIA, you might consider this strategy instead: 1. Your husband waits until his FRA (67) to claim his full benefit of $2,900 2. You claim at your FRA (67) and receive your full $2,650 3. This maximizes both your lifetime benefits and potential survivor benefits If budget constraints require earlier filing, then: 1. You claim at your FRA (67) to get your full $2,650 2. Your husband claims at 62, accepting the 30% reduction (about $2,030 monthly) Regarding survivor benefits: If your husband claims early and predeceases you, your survivor benefit would be limited by his reduced amount. However, if you've already claimed your own higher benefit, this wouldn't affect you financially.

i think ur overthinking this. just have hubby wait til 67 and u take yours at 67 too. keep working til then. done. simple. lol

We have a similar age gap (I'm 6 years older than my wife) and I spent months researching this. The old restricted application strategy would have been PERFECT but they eliminated it. After running calculations with different scenarios, we found that having the higher-earner spouse delay until 70 produced the best lifetime outcome, especially considering survivor benefits. Have you considered having your husband wait until 70? The 8% annual increase from FRA to 70 is hard to beat as an investment return.

One thing nobody's mentioned is that you said you want to retire at the same time. Remember that retiring and claiming Social Security don't have to happen simultaneously! Many people bridge the gap with savings. If you retire together when you're 67 (husband at 60), he could live on savings/investments for 7 years until he reaches his FRA. This would protect his full benefit amount. Just wanted to point out that these decisions can be separated!

u should prob look into the Government pention offset too... thats another thing they dont tell u that can mess up ur ss. my friend got like half what she thought she would. if either of u had a gov. job check that out too

Has anyone used one of those Social Security maximization software programs? I'm wondering if they're worth the money or just tell you what you could figure out yourself. I've been looking at one that costs $49 and claims to analyze hundreds of filing combinations.

Something else to consider in your planning: if you're both still working, make sure you understand how the earnings test might affect benefits claimed before FRA. In 2025, if you earn more than $22,750 (estimated based on current limits), Social Security will withhold $1 in benefits for every $2 you earn above that threshold if you're under FRA. This doesn't apply once you reach your FRA.

Good question about the earnings test! Benefits withheld due to the earnings test are NOT permanently lost. Once you reach FRA, Social Security recalculates your benefit amount to credit you for months when benefits were withheld. Your monthly benefit amount increases to account for those months you didn't receive benefits.