Should I switch from my $2200 SS retirement benefit to spousal benefits when husband files at 70?
Hi everyone, need some advice about spousal vs. retirement benefits! I started collecting my own Social Security retirement benefits when I hit my full retirement age earlier this year (2025). I'm getting about $2200 monthly. My husband is planning to delay filing until January 2027 when he turns 70, and his benefit will be around $3800 monthly. I'm wondering if there's a better strategy for me? Should I have waited to file? Can I switch to a spousal benefit based on his record once he files? And most importantly, I want to make sure that if he passes away before me, I'd get his full $3800 monthly benefit instead of my smaller amount. I've heard conflicting things about this from friends. I've tried calling SSA twice but got disconnected after waiting over an hour each time. Our local office is booked months out for appointments. Any knowledgeable folks here who can help explain my options?
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Mateo Rodriguez
You're already on the right track! Since you filed at your FRA, you're receiving 100% of your retirement benefit, which is good. Regarding switching to spousal benefits - you will automatically be evaluated for these when your husband files at 70. However, as a spouse, you'd only receive up to 50% of his PIA (Primary Insurance Amount), which would be less than your current $2200. For survivor benefits, you're absolutely correct to be thinking ahead. If your husband passes away, you would be eligible to receive his full $3800 benefit instead of your lower amount. This is called the "widow's benefit" and it preserves the higher earner's benefit for the surviving spouse. So your current strategy works well for both present income and future protection.
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Nia Thompson
•Thank you so much for explaining! So it sounds like I made the right decision by starting my own benefit at FRA. Just to be clear - when he files at 70, I won't automatically be switched to spousal benefits if they're lower than what I'm getting now, right? I'll just continue with my own $2200?
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Aisha Abdullah
my sister was in exact same situation!!! she got $2400 and her husband was going to get $3600 when he turned 70. she tried switching when he filed and they told her NO because her own benefit was higher than half of his. she was mad bout it until her financial advisor explained it was actually BETTER for her this way. the only thing that matters is that survivor benefit if he goes first.
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Ethan Wilson
•This is INCORRECT information. SSA doesn't just let you "switch" between benefits whenever you want! When spouse files, SSA automatically gives you whichever is higher - your own benefit OR up to 50% of spouse's. They don't let you choose the lower amount. And FYI it's called the "survivor benefit" not the "widow's benefit" - men can receive it too when their wives die first.
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NeonNova
You've made the optimal choice by filing at your FRA. The 50% spousal benefit is based on your husband's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which is what he would receive at his Full Retirement Age, NOT the increased amount he'll get at 70. So even though he'll receive $3800 at age 70, your spousal benefit would be based on a lower figure - his PIA - which would be significantly less than your current $2200. Regarding survivor benefits: If your husband predeceases you, you would indeed receive his full age-70 benefit of $3800 instead of your current $2200. This is one of the primary advantages of having the higher-earning spouse delay benefits until 70 - it maximizes the survivor benefit protection. Your current strategy perfectly balances your household income now while protecting you with the highest possible survivor benefit later. Well done!
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Nia Thompson
•Thank you for this detailed explanation! I was confused about whether the spousal benefit would be based on his age-70 amount or some other figure. Now I understand it's based on his PIA, which makes my current benefit the better option. And I'm relieved to confirm I'd get his full age-70 benefit as a survivor if needed.
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Yuki Tanaka
i think ur making this 2 complicated. just take whatever gives u the most money now. my uncle tried to do all this planning and then died before he even got to collect anything. whats the point of waiting til 70 anyway??
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NeonNova
•While I understand your sentiment, delaying Social Security to age 70 for the higher earner can be very beneficial in many cases. Each year of delay after FRA increases benefits by 8%. For a couple with one significantly higher earner, having that person delay creates insurance for the lower-earning spouse through higher survivor benefits. Of course, individual health situations and financial needs should always be considered.
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Carmen Diaz
I had similar questions when my husband and I were figuring out our Social Security strategy. Finding reliable information was SO frustrating! After countless failed attempts to reach SSA by phone (getting disconnected after hours on hold), I found this service called Claimyr that got me through to a real agent in under 15 minutes. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU The agent confirmed exactly what others have said here - I was getting more on my own record than I would as a spouse (spouses only get up to 50% of the other person's benefit). But she explained all the details of survivor benefits and gave me peace of mind. Totally worth not having to spend days trying to get through on the phone. Their website is claimyr.com if you're interested.
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Nia Thompson
•Thank you for sharing this resource! I've been so frustrated trying to get through to SSA. I'll check out that video and website - getting a definitive answer directly from SSA would give me peace of mind.
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Andre Laurent
I've been collecting SS since 2023 and just wanted to add that you should definitely print and save your annual benefit statements. My husband passed last year and when I went to claim survivor benefits they questioned the amount he was receiving! Luckily I had all the paperwork. Also the funeral home reported his death but SSA still made me bring his death certificate in person. Their system is so confusing!
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Ethan Wilson
•This is good advice. Always keep documentation of EVERYTHING with Social Security. They've been known to make mistakes in their records. And yes, even when deaths are reported electronically, they still often require the original death certificate. The SSA computers don't talk to each other properly!
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Aisha Abdullah
what about medicare? are you on medicare yet? my sister had to pay a higher premium because they counted both her and her husbands income together even tho he wasnt collecting ss yet!!!
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Nia Thompson
•I'm enrolled in Medicare, yes. That's a good point about the IRMAA surcharges based on joint income. We're just under the threshold for the higher premium right now, but I'll need to watch that when he starts collecting. Thanks for the reminder!
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Mateo Rodriguez
Just to summarize what's been shared: you made the right choice filing at your FRA for your own benefit of $2200. When your husband files at 70, you'll continue receiving your own benefit since it exceeds what you'd get as a spouse (which would be 50% of his PIA, not 50% of his age-70 amount). Most importantly, if he predeceases you, you would step up to his full $3800 monthly benefit as a survivor. This is exactly why financial advisors often recommend the higher-earning spouse delay benefits until 70 - it creates a form of "longevity insurance" for the surviving spouse.
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Nia Thompson
•Thank you for this clear summary! I feel much more confident about our strategy now. It's such a relief to know I'd receive his full $3800 benefit if he passes before me. That was my biggest concern.
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