If your spouse is not collecting a retirementbenefit when you apply for an earlyretirementbenefit, you will not be deemed to be applying for your spousal benefit.
But there are, in effect, two spousal benefit formulas and which one you the person who will collect a spousal benefit faces will depend on whether or not you take your retirementbenefitearly.
In the 1990s, the rise in unemployment was masked by many people taking earlyretirement and going on disability benefit - something which has not happened so far.