Larry, I can not seem to find an answer to this. I have been disabled since 2010 and recieve ssd. My wife is also been disabled since 2011 and recieves her ssd. My question is I am 63 and she is 62. Is my wife entitaled to 1/2 of mine which is much higher than hers and if so do they oue us back pay?
Thank you
Don

Hi Don,

I'm assuming that neither you or your wife have any children drawing benefits on your records. In that case your wife could potentially file for spousal benefits on your record at age 62, but her spousal rate would then be permanently reduced for age. The earliest that she could have been eligible for spousal benefits is the first month that she was age 62 for a full month, but she couldn't claim benefits for any months prior to the month that she files for spousal benefits.

For example, Bill and Sally each receive Social Security disability benefits (SSDI). Bill's SSDI rate is $2000, and Sally's is $500. If Sally files for spousal benefits her unreduced rate would be calculated by subtracting her SSDI rate (PIA) from 50% of Bill's PIA, which would be $500 in this example. If Sally waits until full retirement age to file for spousal benefits she would receive the full $500, which would be paid in addition to her own benefit for a combined rate of $1000. However, if Sally files for spousal benefits at age 62 her rate will be reduced by roughly 30%, or to around $350 in this example. That would then be added to Sally's own benefit to make her combined rate about $850.

Best, Jerry