Hi Larry:

I have just been approved for SSDI. I have one question for you. Does the 2017 retirement earning test exemption amount of $16,920 apply to my wife receiving auxiliary benefits (mother's benefits) on my record for taking care of my stepson who is 27 and has been disabled since birth. I only see the earnings test apply to auxiliary beneficiaries whose spouse is getting retirement benefits, I can't find anything online if this also applies to SSDI auxiliary benefits. My stepson currently receives SSDI on his own record (dual entitlement) and it is more than half of my SSDI amount so he will not be eligible to receive auxiliary benefits on my record. Under the Parisi rule, this means that my wife might be entitled to up to 50% of my SSDI amount since the family max benefit for SSDI is the lesser of 85% of AIME or 150% of PIA
I am 49, my wife is 47 and currently has gross wages of $42,000 per year.

Thank you!

Hi,

Yes, your wife's benefits will be subject to the Social Security earnings test (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/whileworking2.html) until she reaches full retirement age. There is no exemption for spouses drawing on the account of a disabled worker, nor for a spouse with a minor or disabled child in care.

Best, Jerry