I have been collecting my own SS benefits since age 62 and now am 81. Can I now collect under my husband’s benefits because he earns approximately $42 monthly more than mine (he is also 81). He has also been collecting since age 62.

Hi,

I assume you mean that your husband is still living, which means that you could only qualify for spousal benefits if your husband's primary insurance amount (PIA) is more than twice as much as your PIA. A person's PIA is equal to their Social Security retirement benefit rate if they start drawing at full retirement age (FRA).

I can't tell you whether or not you could qualify for spousal benefits without knowing your and your husband's benefit rates, but if his benefit rate is close to double the amount of your benefit rate then you may want to consider applying for spousal benefits in order to find out for sure whether or not you qualify.

If your husband dies before you, you would then be eligible for the higher of a) your benefit rate or b) your husband's benefit rate, or c) 82.5% of your husband's PIA.

Best, Jerry