I have read some prior discussions regarding this issue. If I understand the answers, which is all rather confusing to me, it seems maybe it would be best for my wife to wait till her FRA to switch to spousal benefits. If I understand the replies correctly, the following formula would be used to calculate her spousal benefit payment:
1/2 of my benefit - penalty on her benefit she receives from claiming at 62
I figure her penalty for filing at 62 is 27.5% of HER benefit amount. If my math is correct, I show her penalty amount now is approx $314, since her current monthly payment is approx $824.
So if I understand correctly, it makes since for her to wait till her FRA, so to start the calculation formula with 1/2 of my benefit... and not a lower amount.
So 1/2 of my benefit amount, if she waits to her FRA would be approx $1782
$1782 - $314 penalty = $1468
This make any sense? So danged many sites, including AARP, state filing early on your own record and then later switching to spousal, is a sound practice. Trouble is, none of the sites properly discuss the formula to use and don't state if the penalty applies to the spousal amount or just the earlier amount.