[fintstone]

Originally Posted by Bugsinrugs

My wife turned 65 in January and applied for SS. I am 67 and will wait until I’m 70. In the mean time I will be getting half of my wife’s SS. If some of you guys or gals don’t know about this perk ask your advisor or call SS. If you were born after 1954 it doesn’t apply.

True dat:
"As a spouse, you can claim a Social Security benefit based on your own earnings record, or you can collect a spousal benefit that will provide you 50 percent of the amount of your spouse’s Social Security benefit as calculated at their full retirement age (FRA).

Check the Social Security website to determine your FRA, as it depends on your year of birth.

You are automatically entitled to receive either a benefit based on your own earnings or a spousal benefit based on your spouse's or ex-spouse's earnings. Social Security calculates and pays the higher amount.

If you were born on or before January 1, 1954, after you reach FRA, you can choose to receive only the spousal benefit by filing a restricted application. By doing this you delay receiving your own retirement benefits based on your earnings record, until a later date. For example, at age 70 you could switch from receiving a spousal benefit to receiving your own potentially higher benefit amount."