My husband wants to retire in 12/2020 he will be 65 years old and 1 month. His estimate PIA from social security is 2,226. We have a 13 year old kid. When he retires the kid will be 14 (first year in high school). His FRA is 01/22 with a est benefit of 2399. My question is will my kid be eligible to receive retirement benefits from social security from my husbands even though I am still working full-time. If so, how much is she able to receive? What is the approx family maximum.

Hi,

Your daughter could receive a child's benefit of up to 50% of your husband's primary insurance amount (PIA) even if your husband starts drawing his benefits early at a reduced rate. Your earnings would not affect your daughter's benefits if she's drawing on your husband's record, but your husband's earnings could cause full or partial withholding of both his and your daughter's benefits if he continues working and earns more than the Social Security earnings test exempt amount. The exempt amount of earnings in 2019 for people not reaching full retirement age (FRA) this year is $17,640, and $1 of the benefits payable on a person's account must be withheld for each $2 that the person earns in excess of the exempt amount. The exempt amount is higher in the year that the worker reaches FRA, and there is no limit on earnings starting with the month that the worker reaches FRA.

When your husband files for his benefits you could potentially qualify for child in care spousal benefits at least until your daughter reaches age 16. However, your earnings would affect your spousal benefits if you earn more than the exempt amount as explained above. Child in care spousal benefits are also payable at up to 50% of the worker's PIA, but if both you and your daughter are drawing on your husband's record then your benefit rates would be reduced due to the family maximum benefit (https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/handbook.07/handbook-0732.html).

It sounds like you and your husband have a number of different filing options potentially available to you, so you should strongly consider using our software to compare your options so that you can determine which filing strategy would be best in your family's case.

Best, Jerry