When should higher-earning spouse claim Social Security with WEP-affected spouse & family longevity?

Have u thought abt the fact that ur husband can get spousal benefits off YOUR record if hes WEP affected? That could change your thinking!!! I think u should claim at FRA (prolly 67 for u?) and then he can get half of your benefit when he hits 62 if that works out better than his own. But if he gets to 40 credits he might do better with his own benefit + WEP reduction? Hard to say without the #s.

This is actually a complex situation that requires some mathematical analysis. First, let's clarify a few things: 1) If your husband reaches 40 quarters, he'll still be subject to WEP, but his benefit will be calculated based on the modified formula. The WEP reduction is capped at $512 in 2025. 2) As the spouse with higher earnings, your decision affects both your benefits and potentially his spousal benefits. 3) Given your family longevity, statistically you would benefit from delaying until 70. The breakeven age compared to claiming at 62 would be approximately 80-82. 4) However, your cardiac issues create a medical wild card. One strategy to consider: You claim at your FRA (likely 67), which allows your husband to claim spousal benefits when he reaches 62. This balances longevity considerations with accessing benefits during your lifetime. Your husband should definitely continue working until reaching 40 quarters if possible, as this would significantly improve his own benefit calculation.

I was in a somewhat similar situation (higher earner with longevity + spouse with pension issues). The thing I wish someone had told me about earlier was the RESTRICTED APPLICATION strategy but idk if that's even available anymore? Something about being born before 1954? Have you looked at any of those Social Security calculator programs? I used Maximize My Social Security and it showed me a strategy I hadn't considered where one of us filed early and one delayed. Cost $40 but saved us like $60k in lifetime benefits!!!!

Wait as long as possible!!! My mom took SS at 62 and now at 89 she regrets it every month when that smaller check comes in. If you've got longevity in your family and money to live on, waiting until 70 is almost always better. Every year you wait is an 8% increase FOR LIFE. No investment gives you that guaranteed return with government backing!!!

The question isn't just about YOUR benefit but also about maximizing your husband's options. If he doesn't get to 40 credits, his own benefit will be minimal. But as your spouse, he'd be eligible for spousal benefits (up to 50% of your PIA) and later survivor benefits (up to 100% of whatever you're receiving when you pass away). This creates a strong case for you to delay until at least your FRA, possibly to 70. If you claim at 62, both your benefit AND his eventual survivor benefit would be permanently reduced. Your assets going to your children is a valid consideration, but remember that SS provides inflation-protected income that can't be outlived. No matter how long you live, SS keeps paying, which protects against your assets being depleted if you live to 95+ like your grandmothers. Also consider that if you delay claiming and die before 70, your husband would still receive survivor benefits based on what you WOULD have received at 70 (assuming you were at least 62 when you died).

Sorry to intrude but have u tried calling the SS office to ask them? I tried to do that last month and was on hold FOREVER and kept getting disconnected! So frustrating!!!

Just my 2 cents - everybody's situation is different. My wife and I decided I'd file at 62 and she'd wait til 70 since her benefit was bigger. Worked great for us, we're 15 years into retirement and no regrets. Health problems can change everything tho so dont just think about the math, think about QUALITY OF LIFE!!

Has anyone mentioned survivor benefits yet? This is HUGE in your planning! When one spouse dies, the surviving spouse basically continues with the HIGHER of the two benefit amounts. So if you delay till 70 and get say $4200/month, then pass away, your husband would get that $4200/month for the rest of HIS life (assuming it's higher than his own benefit). So even if you delay and don't live super long, your husband could benefit from your higher amount for DECADES, especially with that 3 year age difference. This is especially important with his WEP situation limiting his own benefit.