Ask Larry

Spousal Benefits

Can My Husband Start Drawing His Own SS At FRA And Later Switch To A Spousal Benefit When I File?

My husband is two years older than me and will reach FRA (66) in September 2019. He has contributed way less to SS than I have, and the SS website shows us that, under any scenario, he will get more by taking a spousal benefit than taking his own benefit. Question is: Can he start receiving his own SS in September 2019 and LATER SWITCH to a spousal benefit when I apply for my own benefits (at my FRA or later)? If so, are there any specific things he has to ask of SS (like restricted application, etc.)? ... BTW I love "Get What's Yours."

Hi,

Posted: 
Tuesday, February 26, 2019 - 17:45

Can My Wife File For Spousal Benefits Online?

Hi Larry, I can not find and answer to this question anywhere on the internet. He is the situation, My wife filed for her ss when she turned 62, I was only 60 then. Now I am 63 and have filed, I want to switch her to spousal benefit but cant figure out how except to make an appointment with the local office. Is there any other way to get this done online?

Posted: 
Tuesday, February 26, 2019 - 17:25

Do I Have To File For Social Security At FRA In Order For My Wife To Draw Up To Half Of My Benefit Rate?

My wife and I both turn FRA (66) this year. She before me, by about 5 months. She was a homemaker for most of our life together and barely had enough credits to qualify for Medicare at age 65 (in 2018) but she made it, and has now filed for SS at age 66, with a monthly earning of about $200 at FRA. I am still working full time and make well over 6 figures. It is my understanding that I have to file for SS at FRA in order for her to draw up to 1/2 my SS earnings? Is that correct? Will SS automatically switch her to the higher amount whether I file or not?

Posted: 
Tuesday, February 26, 2019 - 11:46

What Do We Do When My Wife Reaches Retirement Age?

I became 100 percent disabled at 57. I am married and now am 68 years old. My SS was called a disability l until I became retirement age and now my payment is called SS. The amount did not change just what it is called. I get around 2000 a month. My wife and I raised 3 children and she stayed home to take care of them. They have done well. One lawyer, one nurse practitioner, and one computer engineer. My question is, my wife is 60 years old and I would like to know what to do when she reaches retirement age. We have scraped by for a long time on what I receive.

Posted: 
Thursday, February 21, 2019 - 09:25

If My Wife Waits Until Age 69 To File For Benefits Will She Get A Full 50% Spousal Benefit?

My wife is 62 and has earned enough credits to qualify for her own SS benefits, although minimal -$250 a month at 62. She hasn't applied for benefits to date.

I am 60, plan to work until 66 and 8 months and then file for my SS. I have maxed out on my SS earnings for many years and will until I retire.

If my wife never applies for her SS and waits to file for spousal benefits until I retire at 66 and 8 months (she'll be 69), will she get the full 50% spousal benefit?

Posted: 
Wednesday, February 20, 2019 - 09:30

Is My Wife Eligible For Any Benefits?

I plan to stop working at age 68 but I will not draw on my social security until age 70. When I’m 70, my wife will be 57. She did not work much in her life to earn social security. Is she entitled to any benefits? If I die in my 70’s and she is still below 62, can she collect on my social security benefits?

Hi,

Posted: 
Wednesday, February 20, 2019 - 07:28

Will Our Benefits Increase When We Reach Retirement Age?

I am 56 and started receiving Social security disability in 2010. My husband is also 56 and started receiving Social security disability in August 2018 due to a horrific car accident. His is substantially more than mine. When we start receiving Social Security at "retirement age" (as opposed to SS disability) will either of our benefits increase? Will I then draw 50% of his? Just not sure how that may or may not work.
Thank you

Hi,

Posted: 
Tuesday, February 19, 2019 - 11:09

How Was My Wife's Spousal Benefit Calculated?

My wife has 15 years of covered earnings and 13 years of non-covered earnings. She filed for benefits at 62, so her benefit was reduced by 50% of her pension(WEP $250.50) which amounted to $677 after 2018 COLA. Two years later I filed for benefits at 69 and she was Deemed to have filed for spousal benefits. SSA calculated her spousal benefit and then subtracted two-thirds of her pension from the calculated amount and then added the result to the benefit she was already collecting for a total of $739. What I don't understand is how they calculated her spouse benefit.

Posted: 
Tuesday, February 12, 2019 - 17:59
MaxiFi software running on a laptop
Get What's Yours!
Discover tens of thousands in extra retirement dollars with Maximize My Social Security software!
  • Find your maximized strategy
  • Unlimited what-ifs
  • Step-by-Step filing instructions
  • Our software's lifetime-benefit increase for an illustrative couple earning $65K each and planning to take retirement benefits at 62.

    Results will differ based on your specific case and filing strategy.

Getting Started is Easy
Web-based software. Works on ALL browsers. No download.