Ask Larry

Spousal Benefits

Is There Some Reason That My Spousal Benefits Started Three Months After My Wife Took Her Benefits?

Hello,
My wife took her retirement benefit in July, 2022, which made me eligible for a spousal child-in-care benefit at the same time (I thought). After a very long application saga, which formally began in October, 2022, I finally received my benefit letter which makes it look like my benefit is retroactive to October of 2022, not July (although it's not 100% clear). Is there some reason for the 3-month delay, or did they just get it wrong? During my application process I thought I had confirmed several times that this would be retroactive to July.

Posted: 
Wednesday, May 10, 2023 - 11:50

Will My Wife Receive More If I Don't Start Collecting My Benefits Early?

I am 63 my wife is 58 and she did not work. She wants to collect at 62. Will she receive more if I do not start collecting age 63 and I wait a few more years before I collect.

Hi. Taking your benefits early wouldn't adversely affect your wife's spousal benefit rate while you're living, but it would limit the amount she could be paid as a widow.

Posted: 
Monday, May 8, 2023 - 09:29

Can My Wife Receive Spousal Benefits Now That I'm Collecting My Benefits?

Hi Larry. I was born in 1953 and just started collecting my SSA benefit at age 70. I married over one year ago. My spouse also just turned 70. She has been collecting on her own benefit since she was 65. Can she now receive spousal benefits on my record since I am now collecting and if they are greater than her own benefit? If so, would they be based on my FRA amount or my age 70 amount. Thank you for your insight.

Posted: 
Monday, May 1, 2023 - 13:27

How Much Of My Estranged Husband's Social Security Can I Get If I Apply?

Hi, I am still married to my estranged husband for the past 16 years. I am now 62 years old. He is 73 years old. I don't know if he is retired, but after my knee replacement, I wish to retire. How much of his social security payment can I get if I apply for retirement. Also, what can I do for medical insurance?

Posted: 
Tuesday, April 4, 2023 - 11:24

Should We Appeal?

Hello Larry,
I recently applied for SS at 62 along with benefits for my eight yr old son.
Both were approved, however my wife being 42 and legally married to me for 10 years, was denied spouse benefits under my work record because she does’t have a ssn or
green card. At first she was approved for 50% of my FRA. amount being that she is a stay at home wife and mother until he is 16 but then denied. Should I appeal ?

Posted: 
Friday, March 31, 2023 - 13:26

Is There Anything We Can Do To Get Additional Back Pay For My Spouse?

I started taking my SS at age 70- two years ago. My wife will begin taking hers at age 70 this month. In December we discovered she was eligible to receive spousal benefits of 50% of my benefit at predicted age 66 retirement. We contacted SS and they retro actively gave her 6 months of spousal benefits- but said they couldn’t give her spousal benefits between the time I started taking SS at age 70 (Feb. 2021) and May 2022- ~ 13 months. Is there anything we can do to receive those approximately 13 months of spousal benefits that were denied?

Thank you

John

Posted: 
Thursday, March 23, 2023 - 16:16

Can My Wife Increase Her Benefits By Applying For Spousal Benefits?

My wife applied for Social Security in 2009. Her benefit was severely reduced because of her state pension. I applied for my Social Security benefit in 2010. It was considerably higher. We married after having started our respective Social Security benefits. 14 years later my wife is wondering if she can increase her benefits by applying for spousal benefits on my account. Can she?

Posted: 
Sunday, March 19, 2023 - 12:47
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