I am receiving SSI from work in the US and I also have CPP payments from Canada I receive for working in that country. Both are from completely separate employments. I took early retirement at 62 ys of age for both. My husband started his own SSI payments this year. His SSI benefits are much higher than mine. Can I claim half his SSI payments from Social Security in the US while separated but still married and can Social Security penalize me for my CPP retirement benefits.

Hi. By 'SSI' I assume you're referring to Social Security retirement benefits, not Supplemental Security Income. You can apply for Social Security spousal benefits, but you'll only qualify if your husband's primary insurance amount (PIA) is more than twice as much as your own PIA. A person's PIA is equal to their Social Security retirement benefit rate if they start drawing their benefits at full retirement age (FRA).

If you do qualify for spousal benefits, your CPP pension will not affect those benefits. But, your benefit rate won't be equal to half of your husband's amount. Since you filed for your own benefits at age 62, you'll be stuck with the resulting reduction for age for as long as you and your husband are living. Your unreduced spousal benefit amount would be calculated by subtracting your PIA from 50% of your husband's PIA, but that amount will also be reduced for age if your entitlement date to spousal benefits is prior to your FRA.

Best, Jerry