Ask Larry

Can I Request To Draw Spousal Benefits?

My husband started drawing his ss at 66. At that time I was 59. I started drawing at 62. Would I be able to request to draw spousal benefits? I think at that time my benefit amount was ,$750. I think his beginning amount was $1800.
Thank you

Hi. You can always apply for benefits from Social Security, but based on the limited amount of information in your question it sounds unlikely that you would qualify for spousal benefits while your husband is living. The only way that you would be eligible for spousal benefits during your husband's lifetime is if your husband's primary insurance amount (PIA) is more than twice as much as your own PIA. A person's PIA is equal to their Social Security retirement benefit rate if they start drawing their benefits at full retirement age (FRA).

If you started drawing your benefits at age 62 with a benefit rate of $750, then your PIA was probably at least roughly $1000. And, your husband's current PIA would have to be more than twice as much as your current PIA in order for you to be eligible for spousal benefits. I have no way of knowing what your and your husband's PIAs are, though, so you might want to consider applying for spousal benefits in order to get a formal determination of your eligibility from Social Security.

Best, Jerry

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Posted: 
Mar 1 2023 - 12:36pm
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