My brother-in-law receives $700 a month from his own social security benefits plus $300 spousal benefit. My sister receives $1000 a month from her own social security benefits. They won't tell me how they accomplished this. Can you explain to me how this is done?

Hi,

Assuming that you're referring to a couple, the comparative benefit amounts you mention aren't possible unless part of your sister's benefits are being withheld for some reason. In order for your brother-in-law to be eligible for an excess spousal benefit of $300 in addition to his own rate of $700, his wife's primary insurance amount (PIA) would have to be at least $2000. That's because your brother-in-law's excess spousal benefits (if any) would be calculated by subtracting his own PIA from 50% of your sister's PIA. By the way, a person's PIA is equal to what they would receive if they start drawing their Social Security retirement benefits at full retirement age (FRA).

Even if your sister started drawing reduced benefits at age 62, a PIA of $2000 would result in an age 62 rate of $1450. So, there must be more to the story than what you're being told.

Best, Jerry