Can I collect my Social Security at 62 and switch to spousal benefits later?

Yes, you can start collecting your own reduced Social Security benefits at age 62 and later receive a higher spousal benefit if you qualify, but you cannot switch to only the spousal benefit. Due to "deemed filing" rules, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will automatically pay you the higher of your own benefit or the spousal benefit.

Can I switch from my own Social Security to spousal benefits?

Yes, you can often switch from your own Social Security benefit to a spousal benefit, but only if your spouse hasn't started collecting their benefits yet; you claim your own first, then switch when they file, getting the higher of the two amounts (you don't get both), but if your spouse is already receiving benefits when you apply, the "deemed filing" rule automatically enrolls you for spousal benefits too, giving you the better payment. 

Can I file for my Social Security at 62 and switch to survivor benefits later?

To answer your question: Yes, you can start collecting survivors benefit now and then switch to your own retirement benefit later. Here's a look at how this process can go. (But if you'd like additional guidance regarding Social Security and retirement planning, consider speaking with a financial advisor.)

Can I apply for spousal benefits if I am already receiving Social Security?

Yes, you can apply for spousal benefits even if you're already getting Social Security on your own record; the Social Security Administration (SSA) will automatically pay you the higher of the two amounts, not both combined, though recent rules mean you can't "double-dip" by taking a spousal benefit to delay your own while earning a bonus for waiting. You'll receive your own benefit first, and if the spousal amount (up to 50% of your spouse's full benefit) is higher, you get the difference, but you're "deemed" to have applied for both when you file. 

What is the Social Security spousal benefits loophole?

The "Social Security spousal benefits loophole" referred to strategies like "file and suspend" and "restricted application" that allowed couples to maximize benefits by having the higher earner suspend their own claim (after full retirement age) so the lower earner could claim a spousal benefit, while the higher earner's benefit grew, but these were largely closed by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 for most new applicants, making it harder to get spousal benefits without also claiming your own. A separate, lesser-known "loophole" exists for caregivers of disabled children, allowing a parent (often the mother) to receive spousal benefits earlier than usual.
 

Social Security at 62 & Take Spousal Benefit Later

What is the new law for Social Security spousal benefits?

The biggest recent change for spousal benefits is the Social Security Fairness Act (SSFA) of 2023, effective January 2024, which eliminates the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) for many, meaning spouses and survivors with government pensions won't have their benefits reduced as much, if at all. Key rules remain: spouses can get up to 50% of the primary earner's benefit, can claim at 62 (with reductions), or care for a qualifying child (no reduction). Deemed filing still means applying for one benefit usually means applying for both.
 

What does Suze Orman say about taking Social Security at 62?

Orman explained that you can start Social Security as soon as 62, but that you shouldn't. She said: "Don't settle for a reduced Social Security benefit. If you are in good health, the best financial move you can make is to not claim Social Security before you reach your full retirement age."

Does taking Social Security at 62 affect spousal benefit?

Yes, taking your own Social Security benefit at age 62 significantly reduces the amount you'll receive, and if you're also eligible for a spousal benefit, the system automatically gives you the higher of the two (your reduced personal benefit or a potentially reduced spousal benefit), but you can't get both, and claiming early lowers both options if you apply for them together. While your spousal benefit isn't based on your spouse's claiming age, it is based on your own age when you claim, so filing early (age 62) caps your spousal benefit at around 32.5% of your partner's Full Retirement Age (FRA) amount, instead of the full 50% at FRA. 

What is one of the biggest mistakes people make regarding Social Security?

Claiming Benefits Too Early

One of the biggest mistakes people make is claiming Social Security benefits as soon as they're eligible, which is at age 62. While getting money sooner can be tempting, claiming early has a significant downside: your monthly benefit will be reduced.

How long does it take for Social Security to approve spousal benefits?

After applying, the Social Security Administration (SSA) generally takes about 3 to 5 months to process spousal benefit applications, though it can be quicker if everything is straightforward. Initial payments are made the month after you're eligible, with payment dates determined by the birthdate of the worker on whose record you're claiming. 

How to get $3000 a month of Social Security at age 62?

Only workers who consistently earn at or above the Social Security wage base limit for 35 years and strategically delay their benefits can approach this level. Key Requirements to Reach $3,000 Monthly: Maximum earnings history – Earn at or above the wage base limit ($160,200 in 2024) for 35+ years.

What is the maximum spousal benefit amount?

The maximum spousal benefit is 50% of the amount that the spouse is eligible to receive at full retirement age. Survivors may receive up to 100% of the deceased spouse's Social Security benefit.

How much money will I lose if I retire at 62 instead of 65?

If a worker begins receiving benefits before his/her normal (or full) retirement age, the worker will receive a reduced benefit. A worker can choose to retire as early as age 62, but doing so may result in a reduction of as much as 30 percent.

Is it wise to take spousal Social Security benefits?

In some cases, it makes sense for both spouses to claim on the same spouse's earnings record. Many couples use a "split strategy," which means they begin claiming at different ages. It might be worthwhile for the higher earner to wait longer to collect.

Why isn't my wife's spousal benefit 50% of my Social Security retirement benefit?

The spousal benefit can be as much as half of the worker's "primary insurance amount," depending on the spouse's age at retirement. If the spouse begins receiving benefits before "normal (or full) retirement age," the spouse will receive a reduced benefit.

Who qualifies for spousal Social Security benefits?

To qualify for spousal Social Security benefits, you must generally be married for at least one year, be at least 62 (or caring for a qualifying child under 16 or with a disability), and your spouse must be collecting their own retirement or disability benefits, with the spousal benefit paying up to half their full amount, but only if it's higher than your own benefit. Divorced spouses can also qualify if married at least 10 years and you're unmarried.
 

How much do you have to make to get $3,000 a month in Social Security?

To get around $3,000/month in Social Security, you generally need a high earning history, around $100,000-$108,000+ annually over your top 35 years, but waiting to claim until age 70 maximizes this amount, potentially reaching it with lower yearly earnings, say under $70k if you wait long enough, as benefits are based on your highest indexed earnings over 35 years. The exact amount depends heavily on your specific earnings history and the age you start collecting benefits. 

What is the number one regret of retirees?

Among the biggest mistakes retirees make is not adjusting their expenses to their new budget in retirement. Those who have worked for many years need to realize that dining out, clothing and entertainment expenses should be reduced because they are no longer earning the same amount of money as they were while working.

What are the three ways you can lose your Social Security benefits?

You can lose Social Security benefits by working while collecting early, leading to earnings limits; incarceration, which suspends payments; or through garnishment for federal debts like taxes, student loans, or child support, along with other factors like remarriage or changes in disability status. 

Can I switch a Social Security benefit to a spousal benefit?

Yes, you generally can take your own Social Security benefit first (even early at 62) and then switch to a larger spousal benefit later, provided your spouse hasn't filed for their benefits yet, allowing you to claim your own first and then "upgrade" to the higher spousal amount when they do, but if your spouse is already collecting, you're "deemed" to be filing for both and will get the higher of the two, preventing a switch later unless you were eligible for an "excess spousal benefit". 

What's the best age to claim spousal benefits?

Although you can claim the spousal benefit as early as age 62, the amount you receive will grow if you wait until full retirement age, (which is between 66 and 67, depending on year of birth; for people born in 1960 or after it's age 67).

Can I collect Social Security at 62 and still work full time?

Yes, you can collect Social Security at 62 and work full-time, but the Social Security Administration (SSA) will temporarily reduce your benefits if your earnings exceed annual limits, a penalty that stops once you reach your full retirement age (FRA), typically 67 for those born in 1960 or later, at which point you keep all benefits regardless of earnings. For 2025, the limit is $23,400 under FRA, with a $1 reduction for every $2 earned over that, and a higher limit before FRA but in the year you reach it. 

What does Dave Ramsey say about Social Security at 62?

Claiming Social Security at 62 can be risky, because if you don't have a lot of savings to supplement your benefits, you could end up short on income.

What is the smartest age to collect Social Security?

The "smartest" age to collect Social Security varies, but age 70 is often statistically best for maximizing lifetime benefits, as monthly checks grow significantly until then, especially for higher earners and those expecting long lives; however, claiming at Full Retirement Age (FRA) (67 for most) secures 100% of benefits, while taking it as early as 62 provides income sooner but permanently reduces payments, making it ideal for those with immediate financial needs or shorter life expectancies. 

What are the four documents Suze Orman says you must have?

Financial guru Suze Orman says there are four documents you absolutely must have: a will; a revocable living trust; a durable financial power of attorney; and an advance directive for health care. “Durable” means it remains in force should you become incapacitated.