A. While this plan is sound, there is a wrong calculation.
It is correct that Jane is eligible to receive spousal benefits based on John's record. However, Jane's benefit will NOT double when she reaches 70, because of a common misperception.
Jane cannot “trade” her retirement benefit for the larger "spousal only" benefit at the time of her husband’s filing. Jane's base benefit will always be the $600 reduced personal benefit, she will be entitled to an increase in benefits at the time of John’s filing as she will then be entitled to some spousal benefit based on his record, which is [$1,200 (50 percent of John’s PIA) minus $800 (Jane's full benefit amount)] = $400. Therefore, subsequent to John’s filing, Jane will continue to receive a single check from SSA, but it will represent two separate payments: $600 based on her personal record and $400 of spousal benefit based on John’s record for a total benefit amount at her age 66 (which is when John reaches at 70) of $1000 per month. This is $200 less per month than Jane anticipated!