I understand that a spouse can collect SS based upon the record of the other spouse (50% I believe) if that results in a higher benefit than collecting under his/her own record. The SS Administration's website gives examples of how this works. However, in their examples they always cite the higher earning spouse as retiring first. What happens if there is a ten year difference in age, and the lower earning spouse retires at age 62 while the higher earning spouse continues to work? Is the lower earning spouse locked in to the level of benefits based on their work record, or can s/he begin collecting based on the higher amount due to the higher earning spouse now being retired?

