If an individual collects Social Security benefits at age 62, how is their benefit affected if they later qualify for a spousal boost at FRA?

When an individual begins collecting Social Security benefits at age 62, they are doing so before reaching their Full Retirement Age (FRA), which results in a permanent reduction of their monthly benefits. If that individual later qualifies for a spousal boost at FRA, the benefit they receive from the spousal boost is also impacted by this early collection of benefits.

The spousal boost is typically calculated based on the primary earner's benefits at FRA. However, since the individual initially collected their own benefits early and accepted a reduced amount, any spousal benefits they may qualify for will also be reduced accordingly. This is why a spousal boost would not be the full amount that it could have been if the individual had waited until FRA to collect their own benefits. Therefore, while the spousal boost is applicable, it is indeed reduced if the individual took their own benefits early.

In summary, the choice reflects the interaction between collecting early benefits and later qualifying for a spousal benefit, highlighting that while spousal benefits can still be collected, they will not be at the full amount because of the prior reduction due to early collection.