Spousal support does not affect your Social Security retirement income, as you will receive the same amount of benefits as if you did not have an ex-spouse claiming on your record. Your spousal benefit is based on your mate’s primary insurance amount and can be a combination of the benefits drawn on both your Social Security account and your mate’s. You cannot receive spousal benefits unless your husband or wife is already drawing their own Social Security benefits.
The benefit amount paid to a surviving spouse and a surviving divorced spouse does not affect their benefit rates or that of any other survivors who can receive benefits on the worker’s record. You may be eligible for reduced surviving spouse’s benefits at age 60 (50 if you are at least 60).
Receiving benefits on your spouse’s earnings record does not affect the amount of the retirement or disability benefit that your spouse receives. In most cases, you must be at least 60 years old to qualify for spousal Social Security. Alimony or spousal support (sometimes called “maintenance”) is an allowance for support made by a court from the funds of one spouse to the other spouse in connection with a suit for alimony or Social Security disability benefits. The spousal benefit can be as much as half of the worker’s “primary” insurance amount.
Social Security spousal benefits offer serious value to those approaching the right age to file. To access them, you must qualify and understand the rules. Spousal support has no effect on your Social Security retirement benefit, and you have a choice of collecting your benefit based on your work. If your ex-spouse claims spousal benefits based on your work, this will not affect your Social Security monthly benefits.
Social Security benefits are a potential source of child support, spousal support, or alimony–or as additional income that lessens alimony obligations. Any SSDI benefits based on your records remain unaffected when you finalize your divorce. However, your ex-spouse might also receive benefits without impacting your Social Security retirement income.
| Article | Description | Site |
|---|---|---|
| Social Security Divorce and Benefits | Social Security benefits are a potential source of child support, spousal support, or alimony–or as additional income that lessens alimony obligations. | vetranolaw.com |
| But I Paid Alimony, Why Should My Former Spouse Be … | No! As the working spouse, you will receive your full (100%) social security benefits and your former spouse will separately receive a sum equal … | shaneandwhite.com |
| What Divorced People Need to Know About Social Security | Do divorced-spouse benefits affect my ex’s Social Security? No. Your benefit does not come out of your ex-spouse’s payment. They will … | aarp.org |
📹 Social Security Spousal Benefits – MADE EASY to Understand
This video makes understanding Social Security Spousal Benefits EASY. It discloses how to qualify for spousal benefits for both …
How Does Social Security Spousal Benefit Work?
Social Security spousal benefits enable spouses to claim financial aid based on their partner's earnings. At full retirement age or older, a spousal benefit amounts to half of the spouse's primary insurance benefit, potentially providing up to 50% of their full retirement age amount. Understanding these benefits, including regulations for divorced spouses, reduced benefits, and survivor benefits, is crucial. If you lack sufficient Social Security credits, you could still receive spousal benefits.
However, your spouse must already be receiving benefits for you to qualify. The calculation of spousal benefits takes into account the worker's earnings and retirement age, with early retirement reducing the benefit amount. You can claim benefits based on your spouse's record regardless of your work history, but if eligible for your benefit, you cannot receive both simultaneously. Spousal benefits can be a substantial source of retirement income and are available to current, widowed, and ex-spouses.
Be aware of potential pitfalls; benefits may be reduced if claimed before normal retirement age and can be impacted by government pensions for non-Social Security work. Maximizing these benefits requires careful planning and understanding of the rules.
Does Spousal Benefit Reduce My Social Security?
Receiving Social Security spousal benefits does not reduce your spouse's retirement or disability benefits. However, if you opt to take spousal benefits before reaching your full retirement age, your payment will be permanently reduced. If your spouse has postponed their retirement, this could increase their benefits. It's important to note that if your spouse applies for additional spousal benefits based on your record, their own retirement benefits will remain reduced if they had opted for reduced retirement benefits.
Eligibility for spousal benefits generally requires that the spouse seeking benefits is married, and one can claim benefits on a partner's record regardless of their own work history. If you worked and qualify for your own retirement benefits, Social Security will not pay both that and spousal benefits. You can start receiving survivor benefits independently of your spouse's status. Planning for your future with a personal 'my Social Security' account can help you estimate potential benefits based on your spouse's earnings. Be aware that filing for benefits at full retirement age ensures the maximum benefit from spousal claims, while filing early leads to reductions in benefits.
What Is The Social Security Spousal Support Loophole?
The Social Security spousal benefits loophole has nuances. If an individual remarries after age 60, they can retain eligibility for survivors' benefits from the first spouse if that marriage ends before the first spouse's death. Previously, individuals could delay their own benefits while claiming spousal benefits, and later switch to their benefits at age 70 to maximize payments. The loophole in suspending benefits has changed, and those at full retirement age can no longer suspend their benefits while allowing a spouse to claim spousal benefits.
The spousal benefit is influenced by the spouse's claiming age and lifetime earnings, with a maximum spousal benefit being 50% of the other spouse's full retirement benefit. As of 2015, one cannot suspend retirement benefits for the sake of spousal claims. Starting January 2025, benefits will increase by 2. 5% due to a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). Spousal benefits can enhance your combined benefits, especially if one spouse has not worked, resulting in higher overall benefits. Eligibility requirements remain the same, emphasizing the complexity of Social Security.
Can Two Ex-Wives Collect Husband'S Social Security?
If spouses divorce, the marriage must have lasted at least 10 years for one to be eligible for Social Security benefits based on the ex-spouse's earnings record. Divorced individuals aged 62 or older can claim up to 100% of the deceased spouse’s benefits, though reduced if claimed before full retirement age. Benefits won’t be reduced for having multiple ex-spouses. If you remarry, you must notify Social Security, leading to termination of benefits unless marrying the ex-spouse.
Surviving divorced spouses can collect benefits as long as they have been unmarried for two years post-divorce and the marriage lasted a decade. It's essential to note that double-dipping isn’t allowed—one cannot collect benefits from both a former spouse and their own retirement simultaneously. An ex-spouse can file for benefits even if the former partner hasn’t claimed theirs, provided they qualify.
If someone has been married multiple times, they and their ex-spouses might qualify for benefits based on either’s records, though eligibility depends on the terms of the marriages. Generally, ex-spouses must wait until they are 62, and they can collect benefits based on their former spouse’s work record without being married to them at that time.
Does Spousal Support Affect My Social Security Benefits?
Alimony is not considered when calculating Social Security benefits, as it is deemed an entitlement. However, for recipients of alimony, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) counts the alimony received as income, which may affect SSI payments. Social Security spousal benefits can provide qualifying spouses or ex-spouses with up to 50% of the worker's base monthly retirement or disability benefit, without reducing the worker’s own benefits. To qualify for spousal benefits, one must be married to someone receiving Social Security benefits.
The full spousal benefit may equal up to 50% of the spouse’s full retirement age amount if claimed at that age. Both spouses can receive Social Security simultaneously; receiving spousal benefits does not affect the other spouse's benefits. Additionally, Social Security benefits cannot be divided as community property in divorce, and alimony payments may alter the recipient’s financial situation but do not inherently affect the Social Security payments.
Ex-spouses can claim Social Security benefits without impacting the primary earner's benefit amount, allowing individuals to receive both alimony and Social Security benefits concurrently. Understanding these rules is crucial for effective financial planning related to Social Security and spousal support.
Can Spousal Benefits Reduce My Social Security?
Receiving retirement benefits may impact your eligibility for spousal Social Security benefits, potentially reducing or disqualifying you altogether. The maximum spousal benefit is 50% of your spouse's full retirement age benefit. If you claim spousal benefits before reaching full retirement age (FRA), your benefit will be reduced, while receiving spousal benefits does not lower the amount your spouse receives. Eligibility for additional spousal benefits arises when your own full retirement benefit is less than half of your spouse’s.
Spouses can claim up to 50% of their partner's benefit if filed at FRA. It's important to note that if you apply for benefits before FRA, reductions apply—specifically, 25/36 of one percent for each month before FRA. If you also qualify for your own benefits, you cannot receive both simultaneously. The maximum spousal benefit is calculated based on your spouse's full retirement benefit amount. To optimize benefits, spouses can delay claims beyond FRA, increasing potential payouts. Overall, understanding spousal benefits is crucial for achieving financial security in retirement, especially for those who may not have worked long enough to qualify for their own benefits.
Does Social Security Pay Spousal Benefits If You Work?
Social Security allows individuals to collect benefits based on their spouse's work record, even if they haven't worked themselves. If an individual has their own eligible retirement benefit, they can only receive the higher of their personal benefit or the spousal benefit, which can be up to 50% of the spouse's benefit. It is possible to work while receiving spousal benefits; however, earnings exceeding the Social Security Administration (SSA) yearly limit may reduce these benefits.
Eligibility for spousal benefits requires being at least 62 years old, or caring for a child under 16 or disabled who is entitled to benefits based on the spouse's record. A spouse must be receiving their retirement benefits for the other to access spousal benefits.
For those who haven’t met Social Security work requirements, spousal and survivor benefits can provide essential income during retirement. The maximum spousal benefit can equal half of the worker's benefit at full retirement age. Generally, one must be married to someone eligible for retirement or disability benefits to qualify for spousal Social Security. Individuals can start receiving their own benefits at age 62 and switch to spousal benefits once their spouse files.
Both spouses can receive Social Security based on individual earnings records. When benefits are claimed, Social Security will first pay the personal benefit if both are available. Understanding Social Security spousal benefits is vital for financial planning in retirement.
How Much Spousal Benefits Can A Spouse Claim?
Spouses can claim up to 50% of their partner's Social Security benefit, but only if they wait until their full retirement age. If a spouse has their own Social Security benefits, they can receive the higher of the two amounts but not both. The maximum spousal benefit is half of the worker's primary insurance amount, depending on the spouse's age at retirement. If benefits are claimed before full retirement age, the payment will be permanently reduced.
Spousal benefits can be accessed as early as age 62, provided the other spouse has already filed for benefits. A spouse cannot claim benefits until the higher-earning spouse has applied using their own record. If one spouse has not yet claimed Social Security, the other can claim their own retirement benefits and switch to spousal benefits later. To qualify for spousal benefits, the couple must be legally married, in a civil union, or domestic partnership.
Ex-spouses may also qualify if they were married for at least 10 years and have been divorced for two years. The amount received varies based on when claims are made and individual circumstances, but spousal benefits typically begin at age 62, albeit at a reduced rate if claimed early.
What Are The Three Ways You Can Lose Your Social Security?
Here are several ways you could lose your Social Security benefits. First, claiming benefits before reaching your full retirement age can result in forfeiting up to 30% of your benefits. Working while receiving early benefits is another pitfall that may reduce your payments. Second, being a significantly lower-earning spouse may affect your overall benefit amount. Additionally, reaching income thresholds can render part of your benefits taxable; if your earnings exceed $25, 000 as a single filer or $32, 000 for joint filers, up to 85% of your benefits may be taxed.
Third, certain life situations such as incarceration for over 30 days, returning to work after accepting disability benefits, or having your condition improve can lead to loss of benefits. Similarly, not paying taxes can result in garnishment. Divorcing after lengthy marriages may alter spousal benefits. It's crucial for anyone eligible for Social Security to be aware of these conditions to ensure they maximize their benefits during retirement and avoid common mistakes that could lead to a financial shortfall.
How Does Social Security Affect Spousal Support?
The maximum Social Security spousal benefit is 50% of your spouse's or ex-spouse's benefit at full retirement age (FRA), with no increase beyond this age. Retiring early can lower spousal benefits. If you lack sufficient Social Security credits or have a minimal benefit, you may qualify for spousal benefits, provided your spouse is already receiving their benefits. Key considerations for planning retirement include understanding that the spousal benefit can account for a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) and won't necessarily rise with social benefit increases.
Spousal benefits are complex but crucial for maximizing retirement income. Benefits can be claimed as early as age 62, but they will be reduced for each month taken before normal retirement age. There are also differing rules for divorced individuals regarding survivor benefits. Women, often taking more time away from the workforce, especially benefit from these provisions. It's important to navigate eligibility requirements, benefit calculations, claiming strategies, and potential taxation. As of December 2022, over 2 million spouses received average benefits of $901 monthly. Understanding these elements can significantly enhance financial planning for retirement.
Can You Collect Social Security And Alimony At The Same Time?
Alimony and Social Security benefits can be received simultaneously by individuals eligible for both. Recipients may qualify for benefits based on an ex-spouse's Social Security record, but the amount they receive can be influenced by factors such as whether they receive SSDI or SSI, their age, and the duration of their marriage. Individuals entitled to their own retirement benefits can receive the higher amount or a combination of both benefits.
Ex-spouses may also qualify for Social Security benefits and alimony, depending on the circumstances. Alimony, also known as spousal maintenance, is financial support ordered by the court after a divorce to assist the lower-earning spouse.
In Rhode Island, it is recognized that ex-spouses have the right to receive both types of benefits. Although individuals can draw Social Security while employed, there are income limits affecting the amount of benefits they can receive without reductions. Those married for at least ten years can collect spousal benefits on their ex-spouse’s record even before the ex-spouse retires. Notably, while spousal support obligations remain in place, both alimony and Social Security benefits may affect each other, as alimony is considered income in the SSI calculation.
📹 Can You Receive Spousal Benefits With Social Security Disability (SSDI)?
If you’re receiving SSDI, your spouse may be eligible for benefits if you’ve been married for at least one year, and they are 62 or …
Jeff, I have been perusal your articles ever since. I will begin collecting social security. I am now 67 an 4 months. I have owned my own successful businesses since I was 24. I’ve been married for 42 years, my wife started collecting SS when she turned 65 last year. Our 4 children are married and all doing well financially. I consider myself a fairly knowledgeable business person with multiple real estate investment properties. We set up trust funds for our grandchildren, we live within our means and own a home and have little debt. Having said all of that, I found navigating social security and Medicare to be a logistical nightmare. Thank you for your guidance and simple explanations to a typical convoluted, irrational government run agency. Like most males I hesitate to seek directions however I found your insight priceless. Than you, Jim
This is a huge service to watchers. My spouse is older than I and we actually had to go into the SSA office to get questions answered regarding spousal benefits. In our case, she filed at full retirement age and I waited two years past full retirement age. We are filling for her spousal benefits when I file for my benefits.
Ha! Wow, does this make me feel better. Didn’t work long enough during my life to qualify for Social Security benefits on my own. However, my younger, hard-working spouse will be taking social security when he’s 62. I’ll be 68 at that time, and that’s when I can apply for the Social Security Spousal benefit!
Interesting. The problem that a friend of mine encountered is she married a man with three children they had two more children. Then he being older an smarter after they had been married for 9 1/2 years he decided to divorce her an marry the nanny. She had just given birth to their last child and had not even gotten home from the hospital. The social security rules should have a clause for this especially since she had not worked.
I’m sorry if this question has already been addressed. I’m confused about an ex spouse not being able to collect spousal benefits until their ex partner has their self started receiving SS benefits. I was under the impression that as long as the ex partner was at lest 62 and eligible to receive benefits that it didn’t matter if they had started to collect those benefits. So the ex spouse would be able to collect spousal benefits regardless of whether their ex partner had already started receiving benefits.
Thank you for answering the question I’ve had for a while & could never find answer to!! Have been divorced 5 years, after being married 31, and wanted to know if I had to wait for him to file. We don’t speak so don’t want to ask him. Question…how can I find out if half of his is more than my full benefit? I doubt it is, but might be. I can’t reach a live person by phone & cannot find the answer on the website. Thanks!!
@HolySchmidt, One area I believe is still needed is that of the instance where a primary beneficiary is Older than the Spouse and both worked. (as you showed in your 3rd example). The Spouse wants to take their portion of S/S at the age of say 64, where the Primary is still too young. That would be about 37.5% of their FRA.. It appears to me that if this is the case of taking a Benefit first, then switching to Spousal Benefit, at less than FRA, the Spouses Benefit would then be at whatever % he/she was at when they first took SS. For example Primary at 64 = 3000, and Spouse switches to Spousal Benefit it would be NOT 50%, of Primary, but rather say 37.50% that was based upon the Year and Month they first collected S/S.
Would you please speak on ‘divorcee benefit?’My financial advisor said that when I am divorced for 2 years, I can file for an increased amount (possibly up to $300/mo), & would be paid from my former spouses paid-in monies, (not his monthly SS check). I understand the divorcee benefit is only an option for those born in 1953 or earlier.
I was wondering in order to get spousal benefits, do you have to file after the primary files to get the top up? For instance my Mother in law filed for hers at 63, father in law filed 2 years later at 67, would she have gotten the top up automatically or does she have to file for it? Thanks for these great articles as we plan our retirement.
Called SS office twice and received the same answer, which doesn’t seem to be the same as you are mentioning unless I missed it. SS said that the spouse is ONLY able to claim 1/2 of the benefit of the other spouse IF you are divorced. If the couple is still married, SS said it is not possible for the married spouse to claim 1/2 of their spouses SS. What gives?
Hi Jeff, I keep coming back to your explanation as the clearest and most useful reference! Do I understand correctly that the “spousal benefit %” is “pegged” the day spouse starts collecting? I know that the spousal benefit does not kick in until the Primary Benefit partner starts collecting. However, the caveat (and my question) regarding the spouse collecting earlier than the Primary, is that the spousal benefit % is pegged the date when the spouse stated collecting, even though the benefit may not be triggered until years later when the Primary Benefit partner starts collecting. It seems this can have a big impact if the Primary’s benefit far exceeds that of the Spouse’s benefit. Thanks so much!!
Excellent article. Background–I am the older spouse. Neither of us has reached FRA or filed for benefits. Spouse will receive substantially more than me at FRA. Spouse recently passed away. Possible strategy—I file for MY benefit when I turn 65 (and am eligible for Medicare) and then switch to survivor benefit when I reach my FRA. Question—Is this the best strategy? And how does FRA for survivor benefits differ from FRA? And—is there anything else I should consider? Thank You!
Thank you sincerely for all the info you share. Do you have a article related to spousal benefits for a significantly younger spouse who cares for the primary filer’s child? I’ve done some reading on this topic, but would greatly appreciate your more experienced perspective. My spouse and I meet the marriage length requirement and are the biological parents of a child who is under 18 years of age. There is a noticeable age gap between myself and my spouse, where my spouse qualifies to collect social security this year at age 62. What criteria do we need to consider? I also understand that our child qualifies to collect against my spouse until the age of 18. Thank you in advance for tackling this unique topic.
Thanks for the article, very helpful. Here is a clarifying question: I plan on waiting until my 100% FRA at age 67 to start collecting, my wife who also qualifies for SS under her income, but at 25% less than mine, wants to start collecting her SS at age 64. My question is will her decision to start collecting at age 64 will negatively impact what she will receive at my passing. I want her to switch from her SS to my at 100%, does she need to wait until she is also 67 of age for that the 100% survival benefit? Thanks in advance for tackling my question.
I would like to see a more in-depth article on the spouse that’s in the “murky” area. The one with the spouse having a benefit that is less then half of the primary and she picks the rest up later. You made it sound like she can either claim her own benefit or half of her spouse’s, not both…so I’m confused.🤔 In my eg: I’m wanting to receive my benefit in June of 2022 (at 62). Hubby isn’t receiving until 2023 at 65. I’m thinking I can receive mine until he retires and then get the “top off” to equal 50% of what he receives at that point. Correct? Or am I stuck with only my own because I filed before him?
I waited til age 70 and 1/2 to get the highest SSI there is. My wife is 62 and has also worked. She is thinking about filing for her benefits now. I inquired with SSA as to whether the the spousal benefit would bring her monthly benefit to 50 % of mine and was told that does not or can not happen until she is at her full retirement age of 67. This does not sound the same and the way you explained it. Can you tell me what I am missing here or is the SSA agent wrong ?
Hi Mr. Schmidt, I am enjoying your articles about retirement (I am so confused in general). Anyway, my question is at marker 5:18 when you mention a “$250 top up”, where does that number come from? I get lost at this point. Does everyone get a $250 top up? And I am assuming no one gets over 50% of the primary’s FRA amount if we choose to take that instead of our own amount of working benefits.
Divorced finalized in 2014. He died in 2018. I have been trying to get a handle on this because it was common law marriage. We were together 35 years total. Had 7 children, and we had to file for a divorce which was granted. I feel I am entitled to some benefits. He was the soul money maker. I worked some, but not enough to collect until I am 65. Thats 8 years away.. So there has to be something for me.
I would love to hear how social security works for spouses that are legal resident aliens and also a stay at home mother. Would that impact receiving social security? Also,can you clarify what happens if your spouse were to pass away before collecting social security and how that has impact on the collection of spouses social security. Thank you.
I got a question for you … lets see if you can answer it. My Wife is on SSDI and get 1400 a month and is 61 years old this year. I read that when she hits her full retirement age 66 and 8 months her SSDI turns into regular SS. If so does than mean she can get it changed to half of what I would get ? I would be over 70 ( the age that I plan on talking SS ) so I would already be collecting SS before she hits her FRA. As of right now mine at 70 will be 3600 so half for her would be 1800 which would be half mine. My question is … would she get that OR half of what I would have got at my FRA of 66 ?
Always a great post. My personal issue. My wife and I joined the Us Navy 30 years ago. She died on active duty in 2014. I retired recently last year at nearly 30 years. I receive my retirement. I have a part time job. Not sure when I will retire and I know that SS depends on when you receive it. So if I retire at 62, 65, 67 (my full retirement). When do I take survivor benefits and then take my own. Possibly based on employment and full retirement age. Thanks.
Thanks Mr. Schmidt – good stuff! However, my situation is a bit different as follows: My wife is 4 years older than I am and will be 71 by the time I file at my FRA as the primary money earner – and I should get about $2000/mo. However, my wife qualified for her own small social security payment of about $500 at her FRA. Therefore, is it true that she can start collecting her $500 entitlement at her FRA and then receive a $500 monthly top off for the spousal benefit when I file four years later?
It’s crazy💆🏽♀️. I’ve worked all of my life. Current job 26yrs and I’m n pain everyday. 4 more yrs will be my retirement however medically I won’t make it. I don’t want to have any fatalities cause of my bad knees (from job) and serve nerve damage in entire arm on left. (Let’s not talk about lower back). But cause I’m married, it’s hard to get medically retired. Worked other jobs as well. I have paid my way threw society. I don’t want to be on “life long meds”! I don’t want to sit home and gain weight! I hurt everyday. It is so embarrassing cause I look young.
HI! I just came across this article and want to clarify when you say that a spouse with no work history should take the spousal benefit at FRA– Are you saying that the 50% is based on the FRA (age 67+10 mos in my case) even if the Primary waits until age 70? It wasn’t fully clear to me in the article. Thank you for the article– very helpful!
I am in Missouri and I have been a full time mother and have not worked I worked for 10 tears before marriage however social security says I do not qualify for social security benefits so I will be riding me husbands social s benefits we are both 68 and have not filed yet are we in danger? or too late?
I’m trying to find an answer to my question. If a retirement age 62+ person wants to draw from their spouses SSDI benefits, will it lower the amount of SSDI benefits the disabled person receives once the 62+ spouse begins to draw social security from the SSDI spouses benefits? Thank you in advance for any information provided.
My wife just got approved for spousal benefits. She had attained her FULL retirement age of 66.4 (born 10/1/56). Social Security started her first retirement payment on January 2023, but she got less than 50% of my own retirement benefit. Any idea why they would lower her retirement amount to less than 50%? even though she qualified based on her FRA of 66.4 and being married for over 35 years?
My question is about we had trucking business and paid In ss some years may have not a few times because loss on equipment or showed not much income on a year. Had business 13 years hubby was driver I stay home run office some dispatching. We did taxes together as partners he 60 /40 . I was told ss I don’t qualify for disability if I needed it. Why is that ? Just want know what I can do . We went out business in 2019 he got job but I haven’t yet been hired anywhere and covid hit made it hard on me get one too.
my question is if your spouse (who is the top earner and older) retires before 67, does the spouse still get the 50% (minus the deduction if retiring at 62 instead of 67) of what he would have gotten at 67 or what he’s getting when he retired? That’s where I’m confused. My husband is 4 years older than me. He’s decided to retire at 65. I plan on collecting my benefits at 62. I know we both will have reduced benefits, but will mine include his 50% at what he would have gotten at 67 or what he will be getting at 65. Hope my question makes sense.
I’ve read several articles on spousal benefits but they never cover the situation where the spouse is much older than the primary earning spouse. The always assume an older male who has earned more money. Please address the issue where the spouse is much older and already started receiving benefits at full retirement age. Say the primary hits 62 and claims benefits. Then can the spouse switch over to spousal benefits, and does he get 50% of the primary’s FRA benefit or only 50% of 70%‽
Do these rules also apply if my spouse is older of retirement age but I am still on SSDI until I turn retirement age in 8 years? In other words, will she still be able to collect at those same percentages and will it affect the amount of SSDI benefits I receive? Or is it better for the spouse to wait for my SSDI to convert to retirement at my age of 67?
Very helpful article! Question– If my spouse, who was in the military our entire marriage of 25 years, and we are now divorced ( he is 3 1/2 years younger-) can I apply for benefits at 64 prior to him applying? I do have some benefits but he, of course has more. How do I determine what I am entitled to?
Im 72 and my wife is 43, also she is a disabled person. I started SS when I was 62 years old and get $749.00 per month. Say I live 10 more years. would she be entitled to any of my SS? As of yet she has not started working in the US, because she is from overseas. But soon she will start working to start her history of working here in the US,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
I filed at 62 got my benefit of $640. which went up to $700 this year I am now 65. My husband filed today at 64 and I went to get my spousal benefit because he was the primary. They only gave me $110 more. He gets $1800. That is not 37.5% I am somehow getting cheated. We have been married 25 yrs. He has an x wife he was married to for 15 years before me.I have been told in the past that she is entitled to a spousal benefit as well as I am. The spousal benefits would not affect each other. I was also told I would be getting around 950 not 810. Can you tell if this is correct?
Question: I have a non-citizen wife (for three years) …She has not paid into the system and is unlikely to pay into it enough quarters to have her own. She plans on becoming a citizen, however, if she doesn’t she must stay in the states to keep the benefit. I’m 65 and will wait until I’m at full benefit…she’s 45…she will be entitled to something at 62 (if she meets citizenship or residency requirements) ….I’ll start out at about $2,600/ month….what’s she gonna get? Thanks
let’s say the primary earner is 52 and the ex-spouse is 62. The ex-spouse cannot file for spousal benefits until the primary earner is 62. So the ex-spouse has to wait until age 72. Now, do they use the estimated FRA of the primary earner? The primary earner still has 5 more years until the FRA is established and his or her FRA goes up significantly because of higher earnings or COLA, etc. Does the ex spouse get a raise when the FRA is determined and if the primary earner waits until age 70 to file, does the ex-spouse get another raise then?
Thanks for the article, the only other question is whether her Social Security benefits are reduced by the Federal Windfall Reduction that’s placed on my Social Security benefits to calculate her 35% at the age of 62? or will she receive the full benefits payments at age 62 35% without being penalized?
Question: already retired at 66 with full ss benefit $2500. My wife 44 only got 21 credits, I worked in her business, should she pay me more than herself to boost my ss benefits, which will be her spousal later or is my benefit fixed except for cola, and no matter how much I earn now and pay FICA it’s insignificant?
Thanks for the info. Can you address a spouse that files after reaching full retirement age with husband that retired much earlier but she has made 2 to 3 times more money through the work history? Bottom line, she has paid a lot more into SS and don’t want to get shortchanged. Is filing separate benefits the answer?
My question is, do they take the money from the primary check holder? Another words the primary spouse draws 2400 dollars. Do they take half of that and give to the ex? Leaving the primary ex drawing 1200? Or does the primary keep their 2400, and the ex gets 1200 just BASED off what the primary draws.?
My wife and I are retired and she has been on social security benefits for a few months before we knew of spousal benefits. I have been receiving benefits for 6 years. Her current benefit is much less than 50% of my benefit so we tried to go online and apply but were rejected. Do you have to apply for this before you receive benefits?
Hi, if my wife is 3 years older then me and takes her social security now . Will she be able to get up to half of my full retirement age payment now . Or does she have to wait until I turn 62 . She’s 63 now so I know it will be reduced . But will she still be able to get benifit from me when I retire and 62 in 3 years ? Thanks
I understand the rules, but not sure how to actually apply for the benefit. Do I file a special form or does SS just do it automatically. I am FRA. My wife is 62 with her own SS earnings (half of mine). I just started collecting. If my wife starts collecting her SS (at the reduced rate) does SS automatically reduce the spousal benefit accordingly that is included in her benefit.
I have question about spousal support. I am the spouse of a retired aged husband who has been collecting social security for himself, me and our minor daughter since he retired. The money is deposited into my spouses account only, I have no access to this money, the account is In his name only! I did change the banking account once to have the money deposited into my checking account but he changed it back. So for the past 4 years I have had no access to this money. Is this legal?
I’m 63 and my husband is 64 and he is going to start taking s.s. in a few months when he turns 65. He is supposed to get about $3,200 a month according to the ss website. I didn’t work that long and I am only supposed to get around $700 a month (I stopped working over 30 years ago due to having had a child with autism). My husband made well over 6 figures (worked for 45 years) and we didn’t qualify for SSI for our child. I’m not sure how much I am supposed to get at age 64 in a few months. Me and my husband were born in the same month, he’s 11 months older than I am. He decided to stop working due to some health issues he is having. His job is too stressful for him now. When do I get half of his benefit is my question.
I was married for 23 years to the first husband (divorced in 2003), who was a year younger than me (b. 1961). He killed himself in 2016. His third wife, a lovely woman, is collecting survivor benefits for herself and their daughter. I remarried in 2004 and, regrettably, had to divorce again before we were married 10 years. In this situation, would I be eligible for any of the first husband’s benefit and, if so, at what age? The complicating factor here is that I work in higher education and do not currently pay into Social Security although I have for most of my working life. I will have a pension from my current employer but can I collect on spouse #1’s benefit? Thank you for your time, I’ve been unable to find an answer anywhere.
I am the 62 year old wife of a 65 year old husband. I have not worked outside the home enough to earn my own social security benefits because we have two children with disabilities, who are now adults, living with us. Are there any special benefits for people like me who have needed to stay home to take care of their children or will I need to wait until I am 67 to file for social security benefits based on my husbands work?
Hi there, I’m asking for my mom. She lives in Germany. She is retired. I think we applied for the survivor benefits but I’m not sure it worked. The us tax advisors here can’t help us. There is no phone service in Germany from the us embassy and we haven’t been receiving any response via email for over a month. How do we know we’re doing it right?
I just watched your article, but didn’t see my exact scenario and was wondering if you could comment on it. I am the primary earner and my wife does have a earning record. She is older than me, and plans on waiting to file at FRA. Her benefits are lower than her spousal benefits under my record. I do plan on filing early, but not for a year after her. My question is: Can my wife file for benefits at her FRA and then change her filing to spousal benefits after I file?
Just watched this article. Have a question regarding benefit calculation when Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) applies. Will SSA calculate non-working spousal benefit using primary earner’s full retirement age benefit amount (without deducting for WEP). Essentially, if primary beneficiary gets it hit with WEP, same will be applied to spousal benefit.
Nice article! But, I have a couple of questions… I’m almost 65, thinking about filing, spouse is 63 and wants to wait a bit before filing. We both worked the requisite amount of time and each of us will have about the same payout right now (range of $2,300-$2,400 per month for each)…younger spouse a bit higher in that range. If I file now (almost 65) do I have to request the spousal benefit at this time? The second question is should I request the spousal benefit now, and if I do, will the younger spouse get the full benefit 3-4 years down the line, or will one of us only get 50%…?
My husband was married 26 years with his first marriage. We have been married 18. He started collecting his SSB 16 years ago. His ex (I know she still worked up until covid but I don’t know if she has filed for SSB yet) hasn’t remarried (I think it is so she will benefit from his SS amount). I won’t be able to collect for another 2 years at 62. Will I collect less SSB because my husband has an ex? I’m wondering if it matters or not for me. Thanks!
Hi, can I ask you one more question? Assuming my wife (who has no social benefits on her own) and I are both 67 today, I am trying to delay my benefit until 70 (so I can increase my benefit by 24%). Can my wife apply for her spousal benefit today at 67? Someone told me she can’t apply for spousal benefits unless I already apply for my own benefits, which I don’t want today because I want to delay 3 more years to get 24% more. What do I do then?
If someone collects spousal support from their spouse benefits. But the spouse that collects the benefit owes back child support. I know they take 50% of their check. But it don’t seem right because the spouse that the spousal support is coming from the spouse who don’t owe the back child support. That’s is coming off the records of the spouse who don’t owe the back child support
I filed for my SS when I turned 62 last October. My husband who has collected his SS for 22 months died after a short illness on 11/5/21. After speaking with SS, I canceled my application and started receiving spousal benefits this month. My question is about my ex husband. We were married for 11 years. He gets a very low amount now. He just turned 71. Can he apply for his benefits on my record since I withdrew my regular application?
Question: Can I file for benefits at my current age of 63 and then suspend them, thereby allowing my spouse to collect spousal benefits. My SS benefit is larger than hers and then will her spousal benefit increase when I re-file or un-suspend my filing. Thanks “Holy” if you answer. Odd first name BTW….LOL
Hmmm Sounds like a good reason not to get married…meaning that both persons can just file for their full benefit, especially if the lower earning spousal benefit is greater than 50% of the higher earner…. Taxation would differ of course, married vs single, bur seems like something to investigate.
yeah well I was denied due to as I was boldly told that my husband took his life 7 years 1 month and 2 days 2 early for me to ever qualify ever for my spouses survivor benefits according to the regulations and laws that were changed supposedly in 2012 and my husband killed himself in 2005 and we were married for 25 years and I am disabled and I was told I had to wait to apply for my spouses survivors benefits till I was the age of 50 so I did so I will be 52 July 7th and fighting for my spouses benefits and just had a hearing I am sure I will get a denial and when i first hired my lawyer Dupree he told me oh my god u have a open shut case and then just before the trial I get a letter stating that he was withdrawing me as his client and when I asked why he said well according to the laws and regulations were changed in 2012 for social security and that the laws state that I do not qualify due to my husband killing himself 7 years 1 month and 2 days to early lost sad and frustrated from iowa
Is it true an ex-wife can go ahead and collect spousal benefits early while delaying her own benefits until her full retirement age? Read online Wife CAN CLAIM 1/2 OF husband’s SS BENEFITS WHEN WHEN SHE TURNS 62; WHILE DELAYING TAKING HER OWN BENEFITS UNTIL SHE TURNS 67. Often a spouse who worked most of her life will qualify for a primary insurance amount that is greater than the spouse benefit. However, if she needs to leave work early to serve as a caregiver, she may not want to permanently reduce her own benefit by taking it early. In that case she has the option to take a reduced early retirement benefit based on half of the working spouse’s benefit beginning at age 62 and put off taking her own benefit until reaching full retirement age.
Does a spouse with a minimal work history get the 8% annual increase on their own benefit above age 67, and is it possible to exceed the spousal “top-up” like that? In your example, if the spouses personal benefit was 1000 at 67, their benefit at age 70 would be $1240 since it was based on their own earnings record. Is the top-up in this case only $10?
If my annual income decreases won’t this also cause my monthly benefit from Social Security to decrease? In August 2016 I early retired from a community college and started collecting a monthly stipend from the State employees retirement system. A month later I accepted a full-time position with a tour company. Because of Covid-19, I’m currently furloughed and have collected unemployment since July 15, 2020. My annual income reported to SSA has been less since 2017 and will be SIGNIFICANTLY less in 2020. I turn 62 in August 2021 and have been considering taking my Social Security early. What are your thoughts?
My husband died in 1996. I will be turning 60 next year. And eligible to start taking survivor benefits. Since there is no way to get payout details online I am having trouble deciding how to proceed. Every time I call I am told a different monthly amount. hundreds of dollars different. I understand the formula to calculate If I start taking benefits at 60 it’s 71.5% and to get 100% I would wait until 66 & 10 months I just don’t understand why I keep getting different info. how many months before my birthday should I start the process. All the info out there is for why a spouse dies closer to retirement age or after not at such a young age he was 38. Any advice would help.
Big ups to everyone working effortlessly trying to earn a living while building wealth. I’m 65 and my husband 68 we are both retired with over $3 million in net worth and no debts. Currently living smart and frugal with our money. Saving and investing lifestyle made it possible for us this early even till now we earn monthly through passive income..
The horrible truth is that most spousals are women, and as usual social security punishes them more harshly then men. Example: A man receives $37,194.80 in yearly S.S benefits. Out of that $1,978.80 is taken out to pay for part B. That is 5.32% of his benefits. A woman’s benefit is $18,590.80 minus the exact same part B payments of $1,978 80. . But that comes out to 10.64% of her benefit. TWICE what a man pays. Every woman should be writing their congressperson.
Spousal benefits need to end. Why should MARRIAGE decide how much you can give loved ones? It’s blatantly unconstitutional as well. Give single people the same or give nobody this benefit. Being able to marry should not make you special or better or worth more. My ex will be able to collect on mine so she hopes i keep working until I die. If I marry again that woman will collect on mine also if it’s more than hers. Yet a woman who never marries doesn’t collect on her brothers even if he wants he to be able to. SS is in trouble. The solution according to “experts” is to have workers, toil for years longer. SS would instantly be solvent by eliminating the unconstitutional spousal benefit and the child benefit. The exception for kids would be death of the father. Right now kids born to a 65 y/o man can collect at birth simply because dad was old and mom was young (it’s medically difficult to impossible for older women to give birth so this freebie is for old men only).