Q. Can my wife and I use spousal benefits twice? I am a much higher earner and 3½ years older than my wife. My wife starts collecting benefits on her earnings at age 62. I simultaneously start collecting spouse benefits at age 65½. I start collecting benefits on my earnings at age 70 and my wife switches to spouse benefits at that time. Does this work? Will the earlier benefits based on wife’s earnings reduce the benefits based on my earnings at age 70?
A. You’ll need to ask the Social Security Administration. Call them at 1-800-772-1213 and talk to one of their benefits specialists.
