I'm asking if what I've studied and concluded is correct. What I've determined is that my spouse, with a much lower SS benefit, can claim SS benefits before I do, and then when I start claiming mine at a later date her benefit will increase to a percentage of mine (between 32.5%-50%, depending on when she starts claiming relative to her Full Retirement Age (FRA)). That's the first question. If I delay she can start claiming, but can she still receive a higher amount later? I was concerned that if she were to claim before me she'd somehow be disqualified for the higher spousal benefit when I start.
Second, it appears as though her spousal benefit ranges from 32.5%-50% of mine, depending on when she starts hers. Of course the earlier she starts before her FRA, the lower the percentage - regardless of how long I delay.
So if she started at 62 she'd get her benefit, but only 32.5% of whatever my benefit will be when I claim in a later year. For every month or year she waits to start claiming that 32.5% increases, to a maximum of 50% of mine. Is this correct?
