Ask Larry

When Can My Husband Qualify For Spousal Benefits On My Record?

Hi Larry- I am 52 and my husband is 60. This is the second marriage for both of us. I expect to draw a decent social security check sometime in the next 10-15 years , but my husband has never paid much into social security. We have been married 7 years. Can he collect on my record? When would he be eligible? He is divorced from his first wife and she is remarried. She is 50. We tried to open an account on the social security website and they could not even find him! He is a naturalized citizen with a social security number.

Hi,

You must be receiving your benefits in order for your husband to receive spousal benefits on your record. Unless you qualify sooner for disability benefits, the earliest that you could file for retirement benefits is age 62, so that is likely the soonest he could get spousal benefits. He could file for reduced benefits on his own record as early as age 62, though, assuming that he has enough work credits to qualify.

I don't know why you weren't able to establish an account for your husband on the Social Security website, but as long as he has a valid Social Security number there shouldn't be a problem when he files for benefits.

You and your husband may want to use the maximization software available on this website in order to determine your best filing strategy.

Best, Jerry

Category: 
Posted: 
Apr 8 2017 - 8:15am
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