Ask Larry

Would I Be Eligible For Spousal Benefits From My Wife's Earnings?

I currently collect from a state pension plan. Would I be eligible for spousal benefits from social security from my wife’s earnings and when?

Hi. You may quality for spousal benefits if you're at least age 62 and if your wife is collecting Social Security retirement or disability benefits, but it sounds like your spousal benefits would be at least partially offset due to the Government Pension Offset (GPO) provision (https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10007.pdf).

If a person receives a pension based on their work for a governmental agency in the U.S. and if the earnings on which the pension is based were exempt from Social Security taxes, then GPO would require the withholding of 2/3rds of the amount of the person's government pension from any Social Security spousal or survivor benefits for which they would otherwise qualify. Therefore, assuming that you didn't pay Social Security taxes on your state earnings and unless you meet one of the exceptions to GPO, you could probably only be paid spousal benefits if your spousal benefit rate is more than 2/3rds of the amount of your state pension.

Best, Jerry

Category: 
Posted: 
Jul 18 2022 - 9:15pm
MaxiFi software running on a laptop
Get What's Yours!
Discover tens of thousands in extra retirement dollars with Maximize My Social Security software!
  • Find your maximized strategy
  • Unlimited what-ifs
  • Step-by-Step filing instructions
  • Our software's lifetime-benefit increase for an illustrative couple earning $65K each and planning to take retirement benefits at 62.

    Results will differ based on your specific case and filing strategy.

Getting Started is Easy
Web-based software. Works on ALL browsers. No download.