Social security
I am going take my SS April 2023 full 66 and 4 month. I’m still working self employed painter
My wife’s benefits are higher taking half of my amount. But she turns 65 8/26/2022. Question is can she get half of my amount when I start or does she have wait until she is 66 / 4 months ?
Terry Says
First, if you are still working and can avoid taking SS for another couple of years, you will get an additional 8% in your base check for every year you delay until age 70! Plus you get the interim COLA added to your base! It is a fantastic deal and you should really wait for it. Future inflation COLA adjustments will come on top of that higher base — giving you a huge incremental increase compared to just taking SS at your FRA.
Your wife should wait until SHE reaches FRA to take half of your benefit, otherwise her benefit will be significantly reduced. BUT, SS will look at her work record and yours, and she will get the higher of the two benefits — hers or half/yours. Again she should wait until her FRA to collect. She does not get more than half of your FRA benefit — even if you are waiting til 70 to collect your higher benefit.
