The higher earner is the spouse with the larger primary insurance amounts (PIA). When you’re deciding who will collect first and who should wait, consider having the lower earner collect first and having the higher earner wait.

Can my spouse draw off my Social Security before I retire?

En español | No. You have to be receiving your Social Security retirement or disability benefit for your husband or wife to collect spousal benefits. In this way, both could earn delayed retirement credits that boosted their eventual Social Security payments.

Can 2 spouses collect Social Security?

Each spouse can claim their own retirement benefit based solely on their individual earnings history. You can both collect your full amounts at the same time. Say you and your mate both claimed Social Security at full retirement age.

Can you file for Social Security at 62 and switch to spousal?

In this case, you can claim your own Social Security beginning at 62 and make the switch to spousal benefits when your husband or wife files. Social Security will not pay the sum of your retirement and spousal benefits; you’ll get a payment equal to the higher of the two benefits.

What happens if you claim social security at age 62?

For example, SSA estimates someone born in 1955 would receive 74.2 percent of their full monthly benefit by claiming at age 62, and 92.2 percent by claiming at age 65. (That cohort’s full retirement age is 66 and two months.)

Can a non working spouse receive Social Security benefits?

Once the worker suspends benefits, the non-working spouse can begin receiving spousal benefits while the worker continues to work. The longer the worker delays retirement, the more delayed retirement credits he or she will accumulate.

Can a person file and suspend Social Security benefits before age 66?

The law does not affect workers who have already filed and suspended benefits before the effective date. Workers who are at least 66 or will turn 66 before the effective date of the law may still file and suspend in order to trigger benefits for their spouse. Adam Stern has been a licensed attorney in the State of Illinois since 1994.