Marge applied for spousal benefits when she was 62 and her spouse was 64. At the time, she had worked only 11 years. Her spousal benefits were very low but they were greater than her retirement benefits. After starting her benefits, she worked another 8 years replacing the zero years in her PIA calculation. If her recalculated PIA exceeds one half of her spouse's PIA will she be transitioned to retirement benefits only with the subsequent increase in benefits? If so, would the spousal benefit age reduction or the retirement age reduction apply?

I am 65 and started collecting my social security benefit at age 62. My husband became disabled and started collecting disability payments at age 60, 2 1/2 years ago. Am I eligible to switch from my monthly amount to spousal benefits, which would be significantly more at this time? Also, if I could have done this 2 years ago, can I collect the larger amount retroactively?

Hi,

My husband is 76 and I am 67, We are both on social security.His SS is $1633 a month and mine is $613. to make things short, this is not enough for us to live and pay bill with. Is it possible for me to receive Spousal Benefits on my husbands SS while he is alive and we are still married ?

Hi,

It's possible, but it depends on when you and your husband filed for benefits. In order for you to be eligible for an excess spousal benefit, one half of your husband's full retirement age benefit amount (PIA) would have to be more than your own PIA.

Husband is working full time and won’t start collecting SS until his 70th birthday in April 2018.
Wife is retired and has deferred her SS and is currently collecting ½ of husband’s SS.

When husband turns 70 and starts collecting his SS can wife continue collecting ½ of husband’s SS until she turns 70 in December of 2018?

Hi,

Yes, his turning age 70 and drawing benefits will have no effect the wife's spousal benefits.

Best, Jerry

My wife and I have recently reached FRA at age 66 (me in June; her in September). I have not applied for my Social Security benefits and intend to wait until 70 to do so. At the suggestion of our financial planner, my wife recently applied for her SS retirement benefits, which are about $400 a month, with the plan for her to receive that money until applyling for the far higher spousal benefits of $1,300 a month when I turn 70 and apply for my benefits. A Social Security representative called today to, in effect, very nicely and politely ask if we're sure we want to do that.

Are there any reasons for not applying for social security spousal benefits even when there are various unknowns regarding SSA rules and eligibility situations? My thoughts are for applying and leaving all of the determinations necessary to the SSA. They are going to determine the eligibility and approve or not. Are my thoughts logical?

Hi,

I am now 70 and my wife is 64 and a non-U.S. citizen. She is an Italian citizen. We currently live in Brazil where she is a college professor. We go back to the U.S. two or three times per year. My question is this, can my wife begin receiving spousal benefits based on my benefit at her current age? Our intent is to live part of each year in the U.S. and the rest of the time in Brazil. I have researched as much as I can do personally and it seems the more I research the more confusing the rules become.

My wife started drawing her earned social security at age 62. I'm still working and haven't drawn mine yet. If I retire in a couple of years, and 50% of my social security is higher than she is currently receiving, will her's increase to the higher amount?

Hi,

My husband and I have lived in two different states for the last two-plus years, and do not have a legal separation. We have been married now for 32 years. Social Security told me my social security would not increase if I divorced him because the amount I now receive is more than half what he receives. Is that true?

Hi,

Larry,
I'm 67 years old and still working. I plan to retire soon but want to defer taking my SS retirement benefit until age 70 to get the increased benefit amount over the 4 year deferral period. My wife is 62 and recently was put on long term disability by her employer; her application for Social Security disability is in the process of being filed, and we anticipate it will be approved. This past April in order to protect any rights my wife may have to restrict her application, I filed an application with SS and then immediately suspended it (file and suspend).