Taking SS at my FRA - will it reduce my husband's future benefits when he reaches his FRA in 4 years?

No, your decision to file at your FRA won't reduce your husband's future retirement benefit based on his own work record. Each person's retirement benefit is calculated independently based on their own 35 highest earning years. When he reaches his FRA, he'll get his full retirement benefit regardless of when you took yours. The only connection is with spousal benefits. Since you were the higher earner, he might be eligible for a spousal benefit based on your record if it would be higher than his own benefit. But him taking a spousal benefit wouldn't reduce your benefit either.

your fine don't worry!! my sister and her husband did the exact same thing, she took hers at FRA and he waited like 3 years and got his full amount no problem!! SSA calculates each persons benefits separately

To build on what others have said, the Social Security Administration will automatically calculate both benefits for your husband when he applies - his own retirement benefit and any potential spousal benefit (up to 50% of your Primary Insurance Amount). He'll receive whichever is higher, but not both. One important consideration: If your husband were to take his retirement benefits early (before his FRA), both his own benefit AND any potential spousal benefit would be permanently reduced. At FRA, he'll get the full amount of whichever benefit is higher. Also, filing at your FRA was a good choice because it preserves the option for your husband to file a restricted application for spousal benefits only if that strategy would benefit your specific situation (though this option is only available to people born before January 2, 1954).

Make sure to check your earnings record on ssa.gov!!! I found 3 years where my income was wrong and it would have cost me $215/month if I hadn't fixed it before claiming. My husband's FRA is next year and mine is in 4 yrs so kinda opposite of your situation lol

Trying to reach SSA to get answers about this exact situation was IMPOSSIBLE for me! I spent 3 weeks calling and never got through. Finally I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an agent in about 15 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU The agent confirmed what others here are saying - your claiming decision won't affect your husband's own retirement benefit. They also walked me through exactly how the spousal benefit calculation works. Worth the call to get personalized answers for your situation.

The SSA is TERRIBLE at explaining this stuff!!! I was told THREE different things by THREE different reps about how my wifes benefits impact mine. And were still dealing with an underpayment from last year because of their mistake!!

Just to address your follow-up question to another commenter - your husband won't need to specifically apply for spousal benefits. When he files for retirement, the SSA automatically checks if he's eligible for higher benefits as a spouse. Since he was born after January 1, 1954, he'll be subject to deemed filing rules, which means he'll automatically be applying for all benefits he's eligible for. And yes, you made a good decision filing at your FRA. You get your full benefit without reduction, and it establishes the basis for any potential spousal benefit your husband might receive if it would be higher than his own.

im confused - i thought you HAD to file for spousal benefits??? my neighbor gets a spousal benefit from her husband's record but she had to specifically ask for it when she went to the ss office

Thank you everyone for the helpful responses! I feel much better now understanding that my decision to file at my FRA won't negatively impact my husband's future benefits. I'll definitely check my earnings record as suggested and make sure everything is accurate before I submit my application. I appreciate all of your insights and personal experiences!