Social Security spousal benefits with age gap - will taking mine early reduce 50% spousal amount?

If you claim your benefits early (before your FRA), BOTH your own retirement benefit AND your spousal top-up will be permanently reduced. The spousal benefit is no longer 50% of his PIA - it gets reduced based on how many months before your FRA you claim. For example, if you claim at 62 (assuming your FRA is 67), your own benefit is reduced by 30%, and your spousal benefit would be reduced to 32.5% of his PIA instead of 50%. Also important to note - the earnings test applies to you until YOU reach FRA. So if you claim at 62 but keep working, you could have benefits withheld if you earn above the annual limit (about $22,320 in 2025).

my mom and stepdad had a simlar age gap and she took hers early at 62 and regrets it now!! she gets way less then she would of if she waited. something like $625 less every month forever 😱 just something to think about

I think you should consider waiting til your FRA. My wife claimed early and regrets it. You can't undo it once you start.

Your situation is actually quite common! Here's what you need to understand: 1. If you claim your own benefit early, it's permanently reduced (about 5/9% per month for first 36 months, 5/12% per month beyond that) 2. If you're also eligible for spousal benefits and claim early, the spousal portion is separately reduced (about 25/36% per month for first 36 months, 5/12% per month beyond that) 3. The earnings test will apply to you until your FRA - for 2025, that's $22,320/year before benefits are withheld at $1 for every $2 over Here's what many people misunderstand: even though your husband is FRA, YOUR benefits (both retirement and spousal) are based on YOUR age when YOU claim. Since your own benefit is on the lower end, maximizing the spousal portion becomes even more important. The 9-year age gap means you'll have several years where he's collecting and you're waiting - that's actually optimal if you can afford it.

Has anyone actually successfully gotten through to SSA to ask questions like this? I've been trying for WEEKS to talk to someone about my own spousal benefits situation, and I either get disconnected or told the wait time is 2+ hours. It's absolutely ridiculous how hard it is to get basic information about MY OWN BENEFITS that I'VE PAID INTO my whole life!

My wife and I had an 11 yr difference. She took hers at 62 and regrets it now. Huge reduction.

Thanks everyone for the advice. It sounds like waiting until my FRA would be the smartest move to maximize my benefits, especially since the spousal top-up gets reduced if I claim early. I appreciate all the personal experiences shared - they really help put things in perspective!

also don't forget about survivor benefits! if your husband passes away first (since he's older) you get to take the larger of your benefit or his full benefit. so another reason for you to maximize yours if possible.

One more thing to consider: If you wait until your FRA to claim, but your husband is already collecting his retirement benefit, you can choose to take ONLY the spousal benefit (50% of his PIA) at your FRA and let your own retirement benefit continue to grow until age 70. This could be beneficial if your own benefit plus delayed retirement credits would eventually exceed the spousal amount. However, this strategy only works if you wait until your FRA to claim anything. If you claim even one month early, you're deemed to be filing for all benefits you're eligible for at that time.