Spousal Benefits

I used your software to come up with my maximized social security plan. I am currently 65 (July 2018), my wife is currently 59 and will be 60 in December of 2018. We have a son who has been disabled since birth and has been receiving SSI for the past 6-7 years. He is now 26 years old. Your software recommended based on my inputs that I take retirement benefits starting December 2018, it also recommended my son take SSDI benefits at that time and that my wife apply for "child in care" benefits also at that time.

My wife never worked. If I draw early SS benefits, (age 64) and she draws early Spousal benefits, (age 62) and I die, can she continue with spousal benefits until reaching FRA and then file for Widow benefits? 82.5% of my PIA is $1900 and my early benefit is $2000. How does her age affect this if not at her FRA?

Thanks

Hi,

No, spousal benefits are auxiliary benefits paid on the record of a living spouse. You can't receive auxiliary benefits on the record of a deceased spouse, although you could receive survivor benefits instead.

Do ESB calculations apply when filing a Restricted Application for Spousal Benefit? I am approaching 66 (my wife is 2 years older and no longer working). I still work and make significantly more than my wife did. I would like to file a restricted application and wait until 70 to file for full benefits. Will I get 50% of my wife's FRA or will it be subject to the ESB calculation?

Hi,

Say a spouse takes early retirement on her own record (say at 62), and then converts to the spousal benefit when her husband files for benefits. My understanding is that the spousal benefit is calculated based upon 50% of husband's PIA less spouse's PIA, (less additional reduction if spouse is less than FRA) and that this amount is added (if positive) back to spouses current payment. My questions are 1) is spouse's PIA used in above calculation locked in at 62 when she first begins getting early payments, or can it still grow with inflation adjustments?

I am 62 (born 6/13/56) and my husband is 76 and on SS. Am I understanding correctly that I can begin taking a spousal benefit without any affect on my future SS benefits, or any effect on my spouses continued benefit?

Hi,

No, your understanding is not correct. If you file for spousal benefits you will also be deemed to be filing for your own Social Security retirement benefits. And, you will only receive what is essentially the higher of those 2 rates and your benefit amount will be reduced for age if you apply before your full retirement age.

Our actual Social security statements were used for these figures:
My birth year (wife) 1956; Estimated benefit at full retirement is $1340/month. Estimated benefit at age 62 is $988/month. I want to retire at age 62.
Husband's birth year 1957; Estimated benefit at full retirement is $2871/month. He plans on retiring at full retirement age of 66 and 6 months.

my wife is 56 and drawing SSDI $850 befor medicare. im 66 and the high earner ,can i flle on her social security and leave mine to grow till im 70. we been married 25 years

Hi,

If you're now age 66, which would be full retirement age (FRA), you could definitely file just for spousal benefits only on your wife's record while letting your own retirement benefit rate grow until age 70. However, there is a special family maximum benefit (FMB) rate that applies to disability (SSDI) records which can limit spousal benefits to as little as zero.

I will be 66 next month and my wife is 59. Based on our earnings we will both receive ~$2400 at FRA. We have a disabled adult child with Down syndrome living at home. I understand that once I file for benefits my wife is eligible for a spousal benefit when caring for my DAC at any age (as is my child). I don't understand how that impacts her future benefit based on her own work record since she will start to receive spousal benefits before 62 let alone her FRA of 66 10 months. I plan to take my benefit on my 66 birthday (FRA).

Client A is disabled and stopped working years ago. He started claiming benefits 4 years ago. His wife Client B applied at age 62 (Nov 2014) a month before he received disability benefits to claim her benefits on her record. Now 4 yrs later they are both approaching FRA 66 yrs. Client A just voluntarily suspended his benefits (as he was trying to avoid disability turning into retirement benefits) so he can claim DRC. He plans to turn them back on at age 70.

Is spousal benefit based on the other spouse’s benefit amount at FRA, or on the other spouse’s benefit amount at the time the spousal benefit is claimed? My husband started collecting SS when he was 62. I plan to keep working and delay filing for myself until I am 70. My retired husband won’t be due any spousal benefit based on my SS account at my FRA, because his current benefit is more than 50% of what my benefit would be at FRA. However, I am entering my highest earning years and plan to delay collecting SS, so my benefit at age 70 will be quite a lot higher.