Ask Larry

Will I Get Both My Own Benefit And Spousal Support?

My husband was born in 1949. He filed for ssi at age 62. He was in military for 20 years (4 years service beginning in 1968 and 16 years in the reserves). We have been married for 15 years. I recently reached FRA at 66 and four months. I qualify for my own retirement under social security $1200. I was born in 1956. I understand when I file I will qualified for both ssi and spousal support payments. Here is the question, will I get both ssi $1200 and spousal support $1400 , Or will I get the greater of the two payments, $1400.($1200 plus $200).

Hi. You'll only get a total benefit equal to the higher of your two benefit rates. If 50% of your husband's primary insurance amount (PIA) is more than your own PIA and if you claim your benefits at full retirement age (FRA), you'll get your own full PIA plus a partial spousal benefit equal to the difference in your PIA and 50% of your spouse's 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). So, if your PIA is $1200 and if your husband's PIA is $2800, you'd get a combined benefit rate of $1400 (i.e. $1200 on your own and $200 as a spouse).

Best, Jerry

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Posted: 
Aug 7 2022 - 6:01pm
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