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When I File For My Retirement Benefit, Can My Wife Collect A Spousal Benefit?

Hi Presidential Candidate,

Got a quick question for you that I think I know the answer but I want to confirm. My wife is five years older than me. If she filed for her own SS at her FRA, can she switch to spousal benefit when I apply at either 66/10 or 70? I think congress might have closed this "loophole" but there are only about five million rules, I could be wrong.

Thank you

Dear Hugh, Once you file for your retirement benefit, your wife can file for her excess spousal benefit, which will be added to her check if it's the excess spousal benefit is positive. It equals the difference between a) half of your full retirement benefit and b) 100 percent of her full retirement benefits bumped up by any delayed retirement credits she accrues.

best, Larry

Posted:
September 6, 2016