My husband (67) is collecting spousal on my record, I filed when I was 63. Is I go back to work, I know my benefit will be reduced 1 for each 2 I earn over the annual limit. Will my husbands be reduced. Thank you

Hi,

Yes, if you earn enough to cause your benefits to be withheld then your husband's spousal benefits would also be withheld.

For example, say Jane is age 63 and receives a reduced retirement benefit of $1250. Jane's husband is drawing an unreduced spousal benefit of $750, meaning that a total of $2000 is payable monthly from Jane's record. If Jane is working and earns more than the earnings test exempt amount, both her benefits and her husband's spousal benefits would be withheld for as long as it takes to withhold $1 of benefits for each $2 of Jane's excess earnings. The exempt earnings amount is $18,240 in 2020, so if for example Jane earned $38,240 in 2020, then $10,000 of benefits would need to be withheld (i.e. ($38,240 - $18,240)/2 = $10,000). Thus, Social Security would need to withhold both Jane's and her husband's benefits for 5 months.

Best, Jerry