Ask an Advisor: I’m the Breadwinner But I’m 6 Years Younger Than My Wife. Does She Have to Wait Until I Hit FRA to Claim Spousal Benefits?

When can a spouse who is older than the primary breadwinner claim spousal benefits? My wife, who was born in 1956, is six years older than me. She claimed her Social Security benefits at 62, three years before her full retirement age (FRA). Her check is under $400 per month, as she hasn’t worked in over 20 years and her salary was very low back in the 1980s–90s.

I was born in 1962 and my FRA is 67, which I’ll reach in 2029. Does my wife have to wait until I retire to claim against my benefits? Could she be claiming against my retirement benefits even though I have yet to retire, given that she has reached her FRA?

– Frank

It’s common to have questions about when a spouse can claim benefits. In short, you must begin collecting your own benefit before your wife can claim a spousal benefit based on your record. Let’s take a closer look at spousal benefits, how they work and what you should know going forward.

A financial advisor can help you plan for Social Security and integrate your benefits into a retirement income plan. Connect with a fiduciary advisor who serves your area.

How Spousal Benefits Work

Anyone eligible for Social Security benefits—whether on their own record or a spouse’s—can claim whichever benefit provides the higher payment. In general, spousal benefits equal 50% of the primary earner’s full retirement benefit.

For example, consider someone who qualifies for $1,000 based on their own earnings record. Assume they are married to someone who receives a $2,500 benefit. It would make more sense for that person to claim the spousal benefit. They would receive $1,250 instead of the $1,000 they would get on their own record.

Your wife’s benefit is $400 per month. Her spousal benefit would exceed her current benefit as long as your benefit is more than $800. (And if you need additional help deciding when to claim Social Security, work with a financial advisor who offers retirement planning.)

When Can a Spouse Claim Their Spousal Benefit?

For your wife to claim her spousal benefit, you must first claim your retirement benefit. This opens your earnings record. Prior to the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, you could open your earnings record by filing and then suspending your benefit. This would have allowed your wife to claim her spousal benefit and allowed your retirement benefit to continue growing. However, that option is no longer available. (The Social Security Administration still allows for the voluntary suspension of benefits, but other benefits associated with your record are also suspended.)

Since you mentioned that your wife is older, I want to clarify that her age does not affect when she can claim benefits on your record. Regardless of whether she is older or younger than you, she cannot claim on your record until you have filed for your own benefits.

(A financial advisor can help you time your Social Security benefits and make other retirement income planning decisions.)

Early Filing Penalty for Spousal Benefits

There’s a relevant detail that you didn’t specifically ask about, but it’s worth pointing out here: how early filing penalties apply to spousal benefits.

Regardless of when you file, the base benefit that determines your wife’s spousal benefit is your full retirement age benefit amount. In other words, even if you file early and receive a reduced benefit, your wife’s spousal benefit is still based on your primary insurance amount (PIA), and starts at 50%.

For example, let’s say that your benefit at full retirement age is $2,000. Your wife would be eligible for a $1000 spousal benefit. Even if you file at 62 and receive something less than $2,000, your wife would still receive $1,000 if she files at her own FRA.

However, that spousal benefit would still be reduced if she filed early, which applies in your wife’s case. Spousal benefits are reduced by 25/36 of 1% for each month before their full retirement age, for up to three years. They are further reduced by another 5/12 of 1% for each additional month.

Since your wife filed three full years early, her spousal benefit is 25% less. So, going back to the example above, she would receive $750 per month. (And if you need help finding a financial advisor to help you plan for Social Security, this free tool can connect you with advisors who serve your area.)

Next Steps

For your wife to claim a spousal benefit based on your record, you must first file for your own retirement benefit. That said, I wouldn’t recommend filing at age 62 for that reason alone. It’s worth evaluating this decision in the context of your overall retirement plan. In some cases, filing early so your wife can claim may make sense—but it’s not something to assume without a broader look at your financial picture.

Retirement Planning Tips

A financial advisor can help you build a retirement income plan based on your needs and assets. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Maintaining cash reserves or using the “bucket strategy” can help reduce the need to sell equities during market downturns early in retirement, when portfolios are most vulnerable to sequence risk. Some experts recommend that retirees keep one to two years’ worth of expenses in cash.
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Brandon Renfro, CFP®, is a SmartAsset financial planning columnist and answers reader questions on personal finance and tax topics. Got a question you’d like answered? Email AskAnAdvisor@smartasset.com and your question may be answered in a future column.

Please note that Brandon is not an employee of SmartAsset and is not a participant in SmartAsset AMP. He has been compensated for this article. Some reader-submitted questions are edited for clarity or brevity.