I am a newly retired wife and my first social security check has been reduced by WEP at 70%. I also had another Social Security check that stated disability. My spouse is disabled and receives a check from social security. This check is right around 70% of my spouse’s check. Am I allowed to get part of my spouse’s check along with my social security check?

Hi. You can't get part of your spouse's actual Social Security payment, but you may be able to get an auxiliary spousal benefit if you meet the eligibility requirements (https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.03/handbook-0305.html). Auxiliary benefits, such as spousal and child benefits, are paid in addition to the worker's benefit payment, not taken away from it.

However, the only way that you could qualify for spousal benefits in addition to your own Social Security benefits is if your spouse'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), or their full Social Security disability (SSDI) benefit rate.

Best, Jerry