Social Security spousal top-up eligibility question - can I claim my own benefits at FRA then get spouse's later?

You can absolutely start your own retirement benefits at your FRA and then later receive the spousal top-up when your husband files. Here's how it works: when your husband files for his benefits, the SSA will automatically calculate if you're eligible for the spousal benefit. If 50% of his PIA (Primary Insurance Amount) is higher than your own benefit, you'll receive the difference as a spousal top-up. You don't lose anything by claiming your own benefit first - the calculation will be the same whenever he decides to file. Just make sure you contact SSA when he files to ensure the spousal benefit is processed.

my sister did this exact thing last yr. she got her own SS at 66 then when her hubby filed this yr she got a little extra from his. but i think she had to call them to make sure they knew to add it cuz they didnt do it automatically for some reason

Be careful about this advice!! I was told the same thing but when I went to apply for the spousal increase they said I had to file a whole new application! And then they took THREE MONTHS to process it and I lost all that back pay!! The rules changed in 2015 and the SSA website is VERY confusing about this. I would go talk to someone in person at your local office to make 100% sure about your specific situation.

You're asking about what's called the "excess spousal benefit" - and yes, you can claim your own retirement benefit at your FRA, then later apply for the spousal top-up when your husband files. The calculation is straightforward: if 50% of your husband's Primary Insurance Amount exceeds your own benefit amount, you'll receive the difference. For example, if your husband's PIA is $2,800, then 50% would be $1,400. Since your own benefit at FRA is $1,850, which exceeds $1,400, you actually wouldn't receive any spousal top-up in this scenario. The spousal benefit only helps if 50% of your husband's PIA is greater than your own benefit amount. Based on the numbers you shared, you might not qualify for a spousal top-up, but it's still worth checking when the time comes because the exact calculation depends on your precise PIA values.

Wait I'm confused now. I thought the spousal benefit was 50% of the higher earner's benefit? So wouldn't she get $1,400 on top of her own $1,850? That's what my neighbor told me happened with her benefits.

I had the EXACT same question last year!!! I spent HOURS on hold with the SSA trying to get a straight answer. Finally, after being disconnected three times and waiting on hold for over 4 hours total, I found out that I could claim my own benefit at FRA and then later get the spousal addition IF it would be higher. But like someone else pointed out, you only get the DIFFERENCE between your benefit and 50% of your husband's, not both. And you DO need to contact them when he files - it's not automatic!! If you're having trouble getting through to SSA on the phone, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to a rep in under 20 minutes when I'd been trying for days! They have a video demo here: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU showing how it works. Totally worth it for complex situations like this where you need to talk to an actual person.

Everybody is making this WAY too complicated. Just take your benefits whenever you want them and your husband should wait as long as possible to get his. The longer he waits, the more YOU both get. My wife and I did this and it worked out fine. All this overthinking just leads to confusion.

also dont forget about Medicare!!! you need to sign up at 65 even if ur not taking SS yet or you'll get penalties!!!

To summarize the correct information in this thread: 1. Yes, you can claim your own retirement benefits at your FRA, then later apply for the spousal benefit when your husband files. 2. The spousal benefit calculation is the greater of: your own benefit OR up to 50% of your husband's PIA (not his actual benefit amount). 3. If 50% of your husband's PIA is more than your own benefit, you'll receive your own benefit plus the difference (the "excess spousal benefit" or "top-up"). 4. Given your numbers ($1,850 for you, $2,800 PIA for him), you likely won't receive a spousal top-up since your benefit ($1,850) exceeds 50% of his PIA ($1,400). 5. When your husband files, contact SSA to verify if you qualify for any spousal adjustment. This isn't always automatic.