I have been getting special security since 2017 when I turned 65. I also quit full time teaching.
Since I quit my job I make more money now that I am a selling my art and am sought after to offer art workshops.
Can my social security benefit be increased (I make much more selling art than I did teaching.)

Also, my current Social security benefit is only about $1000 a month but my husband’s (retired at age 67 in 2018) gets about $1700. Should I be apply for spousal benefit as this is what confuses me the most.

Thanks, Sheila

Hi Sheila,

Yes, your benefit rate could increase if you earn more in a year than you did in one of your previous 35 highest years of wage-indexed earnings. Social Security benefits are based on an average of a person's highest 35 years of Social Security covered wage-indexed earnings, so additional years of earnings only increase a person's rate if they're higher than one or more of the 35 years currently being used to calculate the person's benefit rate.

Social Security benefit rates are automatically recalculated to consider additional years of earnings, so you shouldn't need to do anything to get an increase if one is due. However, you can request a manual recomputation of your benefits by submitting a written request to Social Security. You'll also likely need to submit proof of your most recent earnings, such as a W-2 form or Schedule SE from your tax return if you're self-employed.

It doesn't sound like you'd qualify for spousal benefits, though. You could only qualify for spousal benefits while your husband is living if 50% of his primary insurance amount (PIA) is higher than 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).

Best, Jerry