Ask Larry

Hello. My spouse has collected Social Security benefits since the age of 67. I do not intend to claim benefits until I reach my FRA or age 70. When I do collect, my benefit will be higher than my spouse's. We are both retired.

Am I entitled to spousal benefits at the age of 62 or older, until I collect my own benefits at 67 or 70? If I am, will my collecting spousal benefits reduce my benefits when I begin receiving these, or affect (lower) the amount of my own benefit? If I am eligible to collect a spousal benefit, I don't want any surprises when I receive my own benefits when I am older.
Thank you!

Hi. No, assuming that you were born after January 1 1954. Only people who were born prior to January 2 1954 are allowed to claim spousal benefits without also being required to claim their own benefits at the same time (https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/claiming.html).

If people who were born prior to January 2 1954 collect spousal benefits prior to claiming their own benefits, it has no adverse effect on their own Social Security retirement benefit rate.

Best, Jerry