MW My wife and I made a big blunder on our Social Security benefits. Is it too late to fix it?
By Alessandra Malito
'She would receive $200 more per month if she had received half of my benefit'
"It has not really been a problem, but when I look at what inflation has done to our retirement nest egg, I have become more picky." (Photo subject is a model.)
Dear Help Me Retire,
My wife and I are both 78 and are within 16 days of each other in age. She earned significantly less than I did during her working years. She retired at 62 in 2009. It occurred to me that she would receive $200 more per month if had received half of my benefit. I retired at 631/2 in 2011.
I am wondering whether we can switch her benefit to a spousal benefit, which would provide her with $200 more per month. I'm not sure why she did not request the spousal benefit at the time, except that I had not yet retired, she may not have had my information with her, and she may not have been aware of spousal benefits. In fact, I was not even considering retiring at that time, and neither of us knew much about the options.
It is my understanding that people who retire now are required to choose the maximum benefit option at the time they retire and cannot change it afterward. However, that may not apply in my wife's case. She evidently was not presented with the maximum benefit option at the time, and her benefit could not have been finalized since I was still working. I suspect she was unaware of the spousal benefit then and may not have been informed of the option.
Can we switch her benefits? It has not been a major issue, but when I consider the effects of inflation on our retirement savings, I have become more attentive to such matters. It may seem that we both made significant mistakes when applying for Social Security before reaching Full Retirement Age. However, even at 78, we are in good health, and at 62 we were financially comfortable.
It seems reasonable that my wife should receive the maximum benefit available to her, given that she retired as early as possible.
Mr. Mixups
Related: I'm 75 and still working, but my job is boring. Can I retire with $830K in cash and investments?
Dear Mr. Mixups,
Don't be so hard on yourself or your wife.
Claiming Social Security is not as simple as pressing a button. There are many factors to consider when deciding when to file, including financial need and longevity, and there are even more rules from the Social Security Administration about how to file and the best ways to maximize benefits. What's important is that you are both aware there may be a better option, and you're taking action now.
Your wife would not have had the option to request a spousal benefit if you were not yet retired at the time. One of the rules for spousal benefits is that the person whose record is being used-in this case, you-must already be receiving benefits when the other spouse files.
That said, once you had retired, she could have switched if the spousal benefit would have been higher. To do so, she would have needed to file a new application for spousal benefits, as the agency does not automatically switch benefits in this situation.
Do you have questions about retirement, Social Security, where to live or how to afford it at all? We want to hear from you. Join the conversation in our Facebook community: Retire Better with MarketWatch.
Keep in mind, however, that because you both claimed benefits before reaching your Full Retirement Ages, you are each receiving reduced amounts compared with what you would have received had you waited. Full Retirement Age is the point at which a person receives 100% of their entitled benefit. The Social Security Administration reduces benefits for each month they are claimed prior to Full Retirement Age. It also incentivizes delaying benefits up to age 70 through delayed retirement credits.
Your wife can file an application now for spousal benefits. The Social Security Administration will pay whichever amount is higher - either what she is already receiving or up to 50% of your primary insurance amount (the amount you would receive at Full Retirement Age). However, the calculation for the spousal benefit will take into account the fact that she claimed her own benefit early, so it will likely be less than half of what you would have received at Full Retirement Age.
To get started, you can apply for spousal Social Security benefits online, by calling the SSA at 800-772-1213, or by visiting your local Social Security office. You don't need an appointment, but making one may reduce your waiting time. You will need a birth certificate or other proof of birth, proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status, U.S. military discharge papers (if you had military service before 1968), W-2 forms and/or self-employment tax returns for the past year, and your marriage certificate. More information is available on the SSA website. The agency says it can help beneficiaries obtain their documents if necessary.
If you're not already signed up for a "my Social Security" account on the agency's website, I encourage you to do so. This free, secure and personal online portal allows you to manage your benefits and records. For starters, it's important to have access to your account so that scammers cannot use any personally identifiable information they may have obtained about you. In addition, the account allows you to review the information the agency has on file, including your earnings history and addresses. You can also learn more about your benefits - or potential benefits if you have not yet started claiming.
Maybe not switching sooner was a blunder, but you are on the right track to correcting that. It's (almost) never too late to fix a mistake.
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Have a question about your own retirement savings? Email us at HelpMeRetire@marketwatch.com
-Alessandra Malito
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March 19, 2026 15:43 ET (19:43 GMT)
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