Ask Larry

Can I Claim Half Of My Husband's Benefit?

I am receiving SSI from work in the US and I also have CPP payments from Canada I receive for working in that country. Both are from completely separate employments. I took early retirement at 62 ys of age for both. My husband started his own SSI payments this year. His SSI benefits are much higher than mine. Can I claim half his SSI payments from Social Security in the US while separated but still married and can Social Security penalize me for my CPP retirement benefits.

Hi. By 'SSI' I assume you're referring to Social Security retirement benefits, not Supplemental Security Income. You can apply for Social Security spousal benefits, but you'll only qualify 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 do qualify for spousal benefits, your CPP pension will not affect those benefits. But, your benefit rate won't be equal to half of your husband's amount. Since you filed for your own benefits at age 62, you'll be stuck with the resulting reduction for age for as long as you and your husband are living. Your unreduced spousal benefit amount would be calculated by subtracting your PIA from 50% of your husband's PIA, but that amount will also be reduced for age if your entitlement date to spousal benefits is prior to your FRA.

Best, Jerry

Category: 
Posted: 
Dec 29 2021 - 5:32pm
MaxiFi software running on a laptop
Get What's Yours!
Discover tens of thousands in extra retirement dollars with Maximize My Social Security software!
  • Find your maximized strategy
  • Unlimited what-ifs
  • Step-by-Step filing instructions
  • Our software's lifetime-benefit increase for an illustrative couple earning $65K each and planning to take retirement benefits at 62.

    Results will differ based on your specific case and filing strategy.

Getting Started is Easy
Web-based software. Works on ALL browsers. No download.