Can my younger spouse claim his own Social Security at 64 then switch to spousal benefits when I'm 70?

My husband and I were in a similar situation. If your husband files for his own SS before his FRA, any spousal benefit he gets later WILL be reduced permanently. The SSA doesnt let u take ur own early and then get full spousal later - they call it deemed filing. He'll get his own benefit plus the difference to = half of yours (but reduced for early filing). Hope that makes sense!!

There's some confusion in the responses you're getting. Here's how it actually works: If your husband claims his own benefit early (before his FRA), he will receive a permanently reduced benefit. When you file at 70, he becomes eligible for spousal benefits, but the total amount he can receive will be limited to the greater of: 1) his own reduced benefit, or 2) a reduced spousal benefit (because he filed early). The reduction is based on how many months before his FRA he filed. At 64, that's typically a 20% reduction of his spousal amount. The SSA will pay his own benefit first, then add any additional amount if the reduced spousal benefit is higher. The key point: Once he files early for ANY benefit, ALL benefits become subject to reduction. This is due to the deemed filing rules implemented in 2015.

Just went through this with my wife! Theres no way around it - if he files early, ALL his benefits get reduced permanently. My advice? Have him wait till his FRA if possible. Then he can get his full 50% of your benefit. Thats what we did.

I'd like to add some important details to this discussion. Given your specific situation (higher earner, 8 year age gap), here's what you need to know: 1. When your husband files for his own benefits early, he will face an early filing reduction (about 5/9 of 1% for each month before FRA, up to 36 months, then 5/12 of 1% for additional months). 2. When you file at 70, his spousal benefit will be calculated as the difference between his PIA and 50% of your PIA (not your age 70 amount), but this differential amount will be reduced based on how early he filed for his own benefits. 3. There is no longer a way to "switch" from one benefit to another without reduction for those born after 1/1/1954. If maximizing lifetime household benefits is your goal, your husband would likely benefit from waiting until his own FRA to file. This would ensure he gets his full spousal amount (50% of your PIA) when you file at 70. I recommend using the Open Social Security calculator (free online) to run the numbers for your specific situation.

Call SSA directly and ask THEM!!! I spent 4 hours trying to get thru and got disconnected twice. SO FRUSTRATING!!! But I finally got someone who explained everything. The online stuff is confusing and ppl here don't always know what there talking about (no offense).

my brother tried to do what your talking about and it didnt work. the ssa people told him once you take early thats it, everything gets reduced. its a trap!!!

One additional consideration for your planning: While your husband's spousal benefit would be reduced if he files early, his survivor benefit (if you were to pass away) would NOT be affected by his decision to take his own benefit early. As a survivor, he could receive up to 100% of whatever benefit amount you were receiving at death (including your delayed retirement credits to age 70). This is an important distinction because it might influence your decision-making. If maximizing his potential survivor benefit is important, your plan to delay until 70 is excellent because it maximizes that potential survivor benefit, regardless of when he takes his own retirement benefit.

One more thing to think about - how long can you guys go without him filing? If money's tight and you NEED the income at 64, sometmes you just gotta take what you can get. No point suffering for years just to get a bit more later. Gotta balance the math with real life needs.