Social Security timing strategy with 9-year age gap - travel vs. maximizing benefits?

This is a great question and highlights the challenge of balancing maximum benefits with quality of life. At FRA, you'd get 100% of your benefit instead of the reduced amount at 62 (which would be about 70%). Since your husband is significantly younger, when he files at 62, you could switch to a spousal benefit if it's higher than your own - but only if you've already filed for your own benefits. Remember that spousal benefits max out at 50% of his PIA (primary insurance amount) if you claim at your FRA, but are reduced if you claim earlier. Given your desire to travel, claiming at your FRA might be a reasonable compromise. You'll get more than claiming early, but still have time to enjoy travel while you're both able. The key question: can your current savings support your travel goals for the next few years without relying on maximum SS benefits?

I waited till 70 to claim and now I REGRET IT!!! My husband and I had all these travel plans but guess what? He developed arthritis at 68 and now can barely walk a mile. All that extra money from delaying doesn't mean ANYTHING when you can't enjoy it! The SSA doesn't tell you that part when they push everyone to wait wait wait. If your health is good NOW, I say take the money and enjoy your life together. Tomorrow isn't promised to anyone.

Here's what you need to understand about your situation from a technical perspective: 1. If you claim at your FRA (67), you get 100% of your PIA 2. If you wait until 70, you get 124% of your PIA (8% per year after FRA) 3. When your husband turns 62, you can only get spousal benefits if you've ALREADY filed for your own benefits 4. Spousal benefit maxes out at 50% of his PIA when you reach your FRA With your 9-year age gap, the optimal strategy might be to claim your own benefit at 67, enjoy some travel, then when your husband claims at 62 (when you're 71), you could switch to spousal if it's higher. Remember though, his benefit at 62 will be reduced by about 30% from his PIA, so half of his reduced benefit might not be higher than your own. One alternative: claim your benefit at 67, let your husband wait until at least his FRA to maximize his benefit (which also maximizes survivor benefits for you if he passes away first).

my wife and i had a 7 yr difference (im younger) and we struggled with this too!!! we ended up having her claim at 65, not quite FRA but close. gave us a few years of travel before i even retired. turned out to be the right choice because her health took a turn at 72. if i were you id split the difference - maybe claim at 65 instead of 62 or 67? gives you some more money but still time to enjoy

have you calculated how much ACTUAL money youre talking about? like real dollars difference between claiming at different ages? that really helped us decide

Another consideration with your age gap: If your husband is 9 years younger, you need to factor in survivor benefits. If you pass away first, he could receive your benefit amount as a survivor benefit if it's higher than his own. This means maximizing your benefit could provide him greater financial security later. However, if he passes away first, you would receive his benefit amount as a survivor benefit. Since he's the higher earner, if he claims early at 62, that permanently reduces not just his benefit but also your potential survivor benefit. This is why some financial advisors recommend the higher earner delay as long as possible, even if the lower earner claims earlier. It's insurance for the surviving spouse.

Have you considered a hybrid approach? You could claim at your FRA (67), which gives you a decent benefit while you're still young enough to travel. Meanwhile, your husband could plan to delay his claim past 62 - maybe to his FRA or even 70 if possible. This accomplishes two things: 1) gives you income now for travel while you're in good health, and 2) maximizes the higher earner's benefit, which becomes important for survivor benefits later. This strategy often works well for couples with significant age differences. You get to enjoy retirement together without sacrificing long-term security.

Just wanted to mention... if you're having trouble getting through to SSA to discuss your options (i was on hold for 3 HOURS last month!), I found this service called Claimyr that gets you through to a Social Security agent quickly. It really worked for me! I was connected to a real person in like 15 mins instead of waiting all day. Just go to claimyr.com - they have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. Seriously saved me so much frustration when I was trying to understand my filing options with my delayed retirement credits.

Don't forget about taxes!!! If you both have other income or retirement account withdrawals, getting SS early might push you into higher tax brackets. Up to 85% of SS can be taxable depending on your combined income. Something else to consider...

I think everyone's overthinking this. You said half his benefit at 62 equals your full benefit at 67, right? So just take yours at 67, enjoy some travel, and when he hits 62 he can decide whether to claim or wait based on your situation then. You don't have to figure out everything now. Life changes, health changes, financial needs change. Just take it one step at a time.