Can a Spouse Switch to Higher Social Security Benefits After Claiming Early?

The spousal benefit boost will be added to her reduced benefit when husband begins SSB. The Spouse Benefit Boost equals half of higher earning spouse PIA less lower earning spouse PIA.  She will not receive half of husband’s PIA as she took her own retirement benefit early. 

To clarify, if the wife starts her Social Security benefits at age 62, her benefit will be reduced because she’s claiming before her Full Retirement Age (FRA). When her husband begins receiving his Social Security benefits at age 67, she will not be able to switch to receive half of his PIA (Primary Insurance Amount). Instead, here's how it works:

1. Spousal Benefit Boost:

   • Added to Reduced Benefit: When the husband starts his Social Security benefits at age 67, the wife will receive a spousal benefit boost. This boost is added to her reduced benefit, not as a replacement. The spousal benefit boost is calculated as half of the husband’s PIA minus the wife’s PIA (her full retirement benefit amount before the reduction).
   • Not Full Half: Because the wife claimed her own Social Security benefit early, the total amount she receives after the spousal boost will be less than half of the husband’s PIA. The reduction due to early claiming applies to her entire benefit, including the spousal portion.

2. No Full Switch:

   • No Switching to Half: The wife cannot switch entirely to half of her husband’s benefit once he starts his Social Security benefits. The spousal benefit boost only supplements her existing, reduced benefit rather than replacing it. The early claiming reduction is permanent and continues to apply even after the husband begins his benefits.

3. Example Scenario:

   • Wife at 62: If the wife starts receiving $600 at age 62, this amount is permanently reduced from what she would have received at FRA.
   • Husband at 67: When the husband begins receiving $3,500 at age 67, the spousal benefit boost will be calculated as half of $3,500 ($1,750) minus the wife’s PIA. This boost will be added to her reduced benefit, but her total benefit will still be less than $1,750 because of the early reduction.

In summary, while the wife will receive a spousal benefit boost when her husband starts his Social Security benefits, she cannot switch to receiving half of his PIA due to the early reduction applied to her benefit. The spousal boost will supplement her reduced benefit, but the total amount will remain less than half of the husband's PIA. Let me know if you need any further clarification or details!