My wife is receiving her own SS benefit based on her work history. Her birthday is on the 20th of the month, so she gets her benefit on the third Wednesday. When I file, she will be able to file for an additional spousal benefit. With my birthday on the 8th of the month, I'll get my benefit on the second Wednesday.

Will her new benefit be paid on the second or third Wednesday of the month? Thanks for any replies!

Hi,

If your wife qualifies for spousal benefits when you start drawing your benefits, her benefit checks will continue to be paid on the 3rd Wednesday of the month. Your wife will always continue to be entitled to her own benefits, so any spousal or survivor benefits for which she becomes eligible would be paid in addition to her own benefit. As a result, her birthdate will continue to be used to determine the payment date for her monthly benefits.

Just to clarify, though, your wife won't be eligible for a full spousal benefit in addition to her own Social Security retirement benefit. Her unreduced spousal rate would be calculated by subtracting her primary insurance amount (PIA) from 50% of your PIA. A person's PIA is equal to their Social Security retirement benefit rate if they start drawing their benefits at full retirement age (FRA). So, in other words, if your PIA is more than twice as much as your wife's PIA she will be paid her own benefit plus a partial spousal benefit, not a spousal benefit instead of her own benefit.

Best, Jerry