My husband started getting disability benefits 6 years ago, he's 66. I'm 68, and I started getting spousal benefits last year, I filed a restricted application for spousal benefits only. I get it monthly, and I received one payment of about $9,000 that a SSA rep said was back pay. My delayed retirement credit is 16%, I may take 4% (6 months) retroactively, when I file for my retirement this year. I'm wondering will my retroactive retirement payment be reduced because of the spousal back pay I received? Thank you.

Hi,

Yes. You can't be paid both your own Social Security retirement benefits and a full spousal benefit for the same month(s). The most you could be paid for any month is the higher of the two benefit rates. Assuming that your own benefit rate is higher than your spousal rate, if you claim retroactive retirement benefits on your own record Social Security will deduct from your back pay the amount of the spousal benefits that you were already paid for those months. You'll also lose the delayed retirement credits (DRC) you would have otherwise earned for any months that you elect to receive retroactive retirement benefits.

Before deciding when to file for your benefits, you should strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully analyze your options. Depending on your and your husband's relative benefit rates, waiting until age 70 to switch to your own record may be a better strategy.

Best, Jerry