Appling for husband spouse benefit can I get both

Hi. Assuming that you're referring to getting both spousal benefits and your own benefits, the answer is that you can't get both benefits in full. People born after January 1 1954 are deemed to be filing for both their own Social Security retirement benefits and for spousal benefits when they apply for either benefit. And, they can only be paid up to essentially the higher of the two benefit rates.

However, a person who's eligible for both retirement and spousal benefits would always be paid their own retirement benefit. If their spousal rate is higher than their retirement benefit rate, they could then be paid an additional partial spousal benefit.

For example, say Mary files for her Social Security retirement benefits at age 62. Mary's primary insurance amount (PIA), which is what her retirement benefit rate would be if she waited until full retirement age (FRA) to start drawing, is $800. But, Mary's benefit rate is reduced for age to $570 because she's filing at age 62. Mary's husband is already drawing his benefits and his PIA is $2000. Mary is deemed to be filing for spousal benefits, and her unreduced excess spousal benefit amount is calculated by subtracting her PIA from 50% of her husband's PIA. In Mary's case, that amounts to $200 (i.e. $2000/2 - $800). However, since Mary is filing at age 62 her excess spousal rate is reduced for age to $132. Mary would then be paid both reduced benefit rates, giving her a combined benefit rate of $702 (i.e. $570 + $132).

Before you apply for benefits, you may want to strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully analyze the options available to you in order to determine your best strategy for maximizing your benefits.

Best, Jerry