I need to know what is going to happen in my future, so my husband has been working at his job fir over 20 yrs and I only worked here and there throughout my life so when it comes to social security will I get any or will my husband be the only one to get social security? He has taken care of me for almost 20 yrs and I have not worked at all& never will be able to due to chronic pain but not I also was told long ago I couldn’t get disability social security cause my husband makes around 75,000 plus a year is that true?? What will happen if my hubby passes away what will I do he is our income please give me some answers on what I can do or what is the truth about my future???? I’m so scared
sincerely, Sandra

Hi Sandra. If you have at least 40 quarters (QC) of Social Security coverage you can qualify for Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62. However, Social Security benefits are reduced for age if you start drawing them prior to your full retirement age (FRA). If you start drawing Social Security retirement benefits at FRA you are paid 100% of your primary insurance amount (PIA).

To qualify for Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits, in addition to being medically considered disabled and assuming your disability began at age 31 or later, you would need to have earned at least 20 QCs in the 10 year period leading up to when you became disabled.

When your husband starts drawing his Social Security benefits then you could potentially qualify for spousal benefits if you're at least age 62. If you start drawing spousal benefits at FRA you would be paid 50% of your husband's PIA, but you can't be paid both your own benefits and a full spousal benefit. The most you could be paid is basically the higher of your own benefit rate or your spousal rate. And, if you start drawing spousal benefits prior to FRA your rate would be reduced for age.

If your husband dies before you you could potentially qualify for widow's benefits. Reduced widow's benefits can be paid as early as age 60, or age 50 if you're disabled, but again they are reduced for age if you start drawing them prior to FRA. If you start drawing widow's benefits at FRA or later, you normally are paid an amount equal to your deceased husband's full benefit rate. You can't draw both your own benefit and a full widow's benefit at the same time, though, just the higher of the 2 amounts.

It sounds like you and your husband should strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully analyze the options available to you in order to determine your best strategy for maximizing your benefits.

Best, Jerry