Can I take my Social Security at 62 and then switch to spousal benefit?

Can I file for my Social Security at 62 and switch to spousal benefits later? Only if your spouse is not yet receiving retirement benefits. 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.
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Can I switch to Social Security spousal benefits after taking my retirement benefit?

Generally, no. The SSA will usually give you the greater of your retirement or spousal benefit. However, if you were born on or before January 1, 1954, you may be eligible to start with your spousal benefit and switch to your retirement benefit later on.
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Can I get an ex spousal benefit at 62 then switch to my own benefit at full retirement age?

Your spousal benefit is based upon your partner's "normal" benefit amount. But the amount you receive will depend upon when you begin to claim it. You can claim spousal benefits as early as age 62, but you won't receive as much as if you wait until your own full retirement age.
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Can I file for my Social Security at 62 and switch to widow benefits later?

Social Security allows you to claim both a retirement and a survivor benefit at the same time, but the two won't be added together to produce a bigger payment; you will receive the higher of the two amounts. You would be, in effect, simply claiming the bigger benefit.
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Can my wife collect spousal Social Security benefits before I retire?

No. You have to be receiving your Social Security retirement or disability benefit for your husband or wife to collect spousal benefits.
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Social Security: Can I File at 62 and Switch to Spousal Benefits Later?



What are the rules for spousal benefits of Social Security?

To qualify for spouse's benefits, you must be one of these: At least 62 years of age. Any age and caring for a child entitled to receive benefits on your spouse's record and who is younger than age 16 or disabled.
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How does taking Social Security early affect spousal benefit?

You will reach normal retirement age in . A spouse can choose to retire as early as age 62, but doing so may result in a benefit as little as 32.5 percent of the worker's primary insurance amount. A spousal benefit is reduced 25/36 of one percent for each month before normal retirement age, up to 36 months.
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Can I collect widows benefits and then switch to my own Social Security?

If you receive benefits as a widow, widower, or surviving divorced spouse, you can switch to your own retirement benefit as early as age 62. This assumes you are eligible for retirement benefits and your retirement rate is higher than your rate as a widow, widower, or surviving divorced spouse.
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How do I switch from Social Security spousal benefits to my own benefits?

You will have to file an application to switch from survivor benefits on a late spouse's work record to retirement benefits on your own record. You should apply four months before you want your retirement benefit to start.
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At what age can a widow start drawing her husband's Social Security?

The earliest a widow or widower can start receiving Social Security survivors benefits based on age will remain at age 60. Widows or widowers benefits based on age can start any time between age 60 and full retirement age as a survivor.
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Can I collect Social Security from my ex husband if I remarried and divorced?

Can I collect Social Security as a divorced spouse if my ex-spouse remarries? Yes. When it comes to ex-spouse benefits, Social Security doesn't care about the marital status of your former spouse; it only cares about your marital status.
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Can I stop my Social Security and restart later?

If you change your mind about starting your benefits, you can cancel your application for up to 12 months after you became entitled to retirement benefits. This process is called a withdrawal. You can reapply later. You are limited to one withdrawal per lifetime.
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How do you qualify for widow's benefits?

Who is eligible for this program?
  • Be at least age 60.
  • Be the widow or widower of a fully insured worker.
  • Meet the marriage duration requirement.
  • Be unmarried, unless the marriage can be disregarded.
  • Not be entitled to an equal or higher Social Security retirement benefit based on your own work.
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When should I apply for spousal Social Security benefits?

You are eligible for benefits both as a retired worker and as a spouse (or divorced spouse) in the first month you want your benefits to begin and. You are not yet full retirement age, you must apply for both benefits (known as deemed filing). You will receive the higher of the two benefits.
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Can I collect ex spousal benefits and wait until I am 70 to collect my own Social Security?

You can only collect spousal benefits and wait until 70 to claim your retirement benefit if both of the following are true: You were born before Jan. 2, 1954. Your spouse is collecting his or her own Social Security retirement benefit.
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What is the maximum Social Security benefit at age 62?

The maximum benefit depends on the age you retire. For example, if you retire at full retirement age in 2022, your maximum benefit would be $3,345. However, if you retire at age 62 in 2022, your maximum benefit would be $2,364.
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What is the best Social Security strategy for married couples?

3 Social Security Strategies for Married Couples Retiring Early
  1. Have the higher earner claim Social Security early. ...
  2. Have the lower earner claim Social Security early. ...
  3. Delay Social Security jointly and live on savings or other income sources.
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Does spousal benefit reduce my benefit?

If I receive a spouse benefit, will it reduce the amount that my spouse receives? No, receiving benefits on your spouse's earnings record does not affect the amount of the retirement or disability benefit that your spouse receives.
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What percentage of Social Security benefits does a widow receive?

Widow or widower, full retirement age or older—100% of your benefit amount. Widow or widower, age 60 to full retirement age—71½ to 99% of your basic amount. A child under age 18 (19 if still in elementary or secondary school) or has a disability—75%.
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How long can a widow receive survivor benefits?

Widows and widowers

Generally, spouses and ex-spouses become eligible for survivor benefits at age 60 — 50 if they are disabled — provided they do not remarry before that age. These benefits are payable for life unless the spouse begins collecting a retirement benefit that is greater than the survivor benefit.
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What is the difference between survivor benefits and widow benefits?

It is important to note a key difference between survivor benefits and spousal benefits. Spousal retirement benefits provide a maximum 50% of the other spouse's primary insurance amount (PIA). Alternatively, survivors' benefits are a maximum 100% of the deceased spouse's retirement benefit.
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Is it better to take Social Security at 62 or 67?

There is no definitive answer to when you should collect Social Security benefits, and taking them as soon as you hit the early retirement age of 62 might be the best financial move.
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Can you collect 1/2 of spouse's Social Security and then your full amount?

The most you can collect in spousal benefits is 50 percent of your spouse's monthly benefit at full retirement age (the age at which a person becomes eligible for 100 percent of the benefit calculated from their lifetime earnings).
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At what age is Social Security no longer taxed?

However once you are at full retirement age (between 65 and 67 years old, depending on your year of birth) your Social Security payments can no longer be withheld if, when combined with your other forms of income, they exceed the maximum threshold.
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Can I collect spousal benefits and still work?

Your spousal or survivor benefits may be reduced if you are under full retirement age and continue to work. Social Security is phasing in the FRA increase differently for different types of benefits.
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