Confused about my wife delaying SS benefits until FRA to get my full benefit amount

Yes, your wife has options, but timing matters! Here's how spousal benefits work:1. Your wife can claim spousal benefits as early as age 62, but she'll receive a permanent reduction if claimed before her FRA.2. At her FRA (67), she can receive the maximum spousal benefit, which is 50% of your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA).3. If she claims before her FRA, the spousal benefit will be reduced by about 0.69% per month early.Based on your numbers - your benefit is $2,800, so 50% would be $1,400. That's higher than her own $1,100 at FRA. If she waits until her FRA (67), she'd get the full $1,400 spousal benefit.If she claims now at 63, she'd get roughly 70-72% of that amount - about $980-1,000 as a spousal benefit.The advantage of waiting is getting the full 50% of your benefit. But waiting 4 years also means 48 months of no benefits. She needs to live long enough in retirement for the higher monthly amount to overcome that 4-year gap of no payments.

Thank you for the detailed explanation! So if I understand correctly, at age 63 she'd get around $1,000 as reduced spousal benefit, but if she waits until her FRA at 67, she'd get the full $1,400. That's a $400 monthly difference. The break-even point would be after about 10 years then? (48 months × $1,000 = $48,000 divided by $400 difference = 120 months). Is my math right on this?

my mother in law got hit with this same question last year!!! she ended up taking her benefits early at 64 and got less than the 50% she could of got. but she needed the money right then so what can u do? your wife should definately WAIT if you guys can afford it!!!

You're missing something important here. When your wife files for benefits before her FRA, she will be deemed to be filing for BOTH her own retirement benefit AND the spousal benefit. She will receive the higher of the two - not both. This is called \

So confusing!! Why does the gov make these rules so complicated? My head hurts just reading this stuff!

I know it seems complicated, but there's actually a logic to it. These rules are designed to be actuarially neutral - meaning that on average, people who live to normal life expectancy should receive about the same total benefits regardless of when they claim. Early claiming = smaller checks for longer; delayed claiming = larger checks for fewer years.

Thank you all for the responses. I'm still trying to understand if there's any strategy where she could take her own benefit now and then switch to the spousal benefit at her FRA? Or does that

Unfortunately, that strategy is no longer available. Prior to 2016, people could file a \

I had the EXACT same problem reaching SSA! But I found this service called Claimyr that got me through to a rep in 20 minutes after waiting on hold for 3+ hours multiple days. It's at claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU They basically hold your place in line so you don't have to stay on the phone. When they get an agent, they call you and connect you. Totally worth it for complicated questions like this spousal benefit stuff where you need to speak to an actual person.

OP, my situation was similaar to yours, my wife was trying to get my benfiets but she didnt wait and regrets it now!!! We didnt do the math right and now shes stuck with the lower amount FOREVER!!!! if your in good health and can wait till her FRA please do it!!!!!

wait i'm confused. can his wife get HER benefit now, then switch to the 50% of his later? that's what my neighbor did I think

No, that's not possible for anyone born after January 1, 1954 due to the deemed filing rules. Your neighbor must have been born before that date, which allowed them to use the restricted application strategy that's no longer available. For nearly everyone retiring now, when you file for any benefit, you're deemed to be filing for all benefits you're eligible for and receive the highest one.

I appreciate all the explanations. We're definitely leaning toward having her wait until FRA to maximize the spousal benefit. Just one more question - does her spousal benefit amount change if I delay claiming beyond my FRA? I've already started benefits at 65, but wondering if that affects what she gets.

No, your wife's spousal benefit is based on your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which is the benefit amount you would receive at your FRA. It doesn't matter if you claimed early (reducing your own benefit) or delayed (increasing your own benefit) - her spousal benefit calculation still uses your PIA amount.Since you've already claimed your benefits, your decision is locked in. But your choice doesn't change the basis for her spousal benefit calculation - it will still be 50% of your PIA at her FRA. The timing of when you claimed has no impact on her spousal benefit amount.

One thing to consider in your decision-making: what happens when one of you passes away? The survivor benefit rules are different from spousal benefits. The surviving spouse receives the higher of their own benefit or the deceased spouse's ACTUAL benefit (including any reductions or increases from early/late claiming).So while your claiming early doesn't affect her spousal benefit, it DOES potentially affect her future survivor benefit if you pass away before she does.Making these decisions requires looking at the complete picture - your ages, health status, other income sources, and life expectancy. Consider speaking with a financial advisor who specializes in Social Security claiming strategies.

Thank you all for the help. This has been really informative. We're going to try reaching SSA to get exact benefit amounts, but based on what I've learned here, it sounds like having her wait until FRA makes the most sense for our situation, especially since we can manage financially without her taking benefits early. Really appreciate all the insights!