Miscellaneous

Do spousal benefits reduce my benefits?

Do spousal benefits reduce my benefits?

Benefits paid to you as a spouse will not decrease your spouse's retirement benefit. In fact, the value of the benefits you may receive, added to their benefits, may help your spouse decide if taking benefits sooner may be more advantageous.

Can you collect 1/2 of spouse’s Social Security and then your full amount?

When someone dies, their Social Security benefits may become available to their current or former spouse, depending on certain circumstances. But even if there's no death, you can collect a Social Security spousal benefit equal to half of what your spouse gets, if that's higher than what you'd get on your own.

At what age can I collect half of my husband’s Social Security?

Even if you have never worked under Social Security, you may be able to get spouse's retirement benefits if you are at least 62 years of age and your spouse is receiving retirement or disability benefits. You can also qualify for Medicare at age 65.

How does Social Security spousal benefits work?

Social Security spousal benefits are partial retirement or disability benefits granted to the spouses of qualifying taxpayers. The calculation for spousal benefits is based on the retirement age of both beneficiary and spouse, and income earned during one's working life.

Can you work and collect spousal Social Security benefits?

If you choose to work while receiving Social Security benefits, your benefit amount will be reduced only until you reach your full retirement, which is age 66 for those born between 1943 and 1954. … Secondly, spousal benefits are reduced if the primary beneficiary is under full retirement age and has excess earnings.

Can I file for my Social Security at 62 and switch to spousal benefits later?

In this case, you can claim your own Social Security beginning at 62 and make the switch to spousal benefits when your husband or wife files. Social Security will not pay the sum of your retirement and spousal benefits; you'll get a payment equal to the higher of the two benefits.

Should I take spousal Social Security benefits?

If your full retirement age is 66 and you begin to receive benefits at age 62, you will get 35% of your spouse's monthly benefit. … To make the most of your spousal benefit, you'll want to wait until you reach full retirement age to begin receiving Social Security payments.

Can you collect spousal benefits and your own Social Security?

En español | Technically, yes, you can receive both spousal benefits and your own retirement payment. … If the spousal benefit is larger, Social Security pays your retirement benefit first, then adds enough of your spousal benefit to make up the difference and match the higher amount.

Can I switch my Social Security benefits to spousal benefits?

In this case, you can claim your own Social Security beginning at 62 and make the switch to spousal benefits when your husband or wife files. Social Security will not pay the sum of your retirement and spousal benefits; you'll get a payment equal to the higher of the two benefits.

Can I collect half of my husband’s Social Security at 62?

If you did not work enough in your life to qualify for Social Security benefits on your own, you could get one half of your spouse's full retirement benefit once you reach full retirement age, and you will qualify for your spouse's Medicare at age 65. … At age 62, you'd get 35% of your spouse's full benefit.

Do both husband and wife get Social Security?

No. Each spouse can claim their own retirement benefit based solely on their individual earnings history. You can both collect your full amounts at the same time. However, your spouse's earnings could affect the overall amount you get from Social Security, if you receive spousal benefits.

How is the spousal benefit calculated?

Spousal benefits are calculated using both your Primary Insurance Amounts and your spouse's Primary Insurance Amount. … To determine if you are entitled to a spousal benefit, if your own Primary Insurance Amount is greater than 50% of your spouse's Primary Insurance Amount, you are not entitled to a spousal benefit.

How long do you have to be married to receive spousal Social Security?

You should be married for at least one year before applying for benefits. “You also need to be at least 62 years old, and your worker spouse must have already started to collect benefits,” Hopkins says.

When a husband dies does the wife get his Social Security?

When a retired worker dies, the surviving spouse gets an amount equal to the worker's full retirement benefit. Example: John Smith has a $1,200-a-month retirement benefit. His wife Jane gets $600 as a 50 percent spousal benefit. Total family income from Social Security is $1,800 a month.

Do spousal benefits increase after full retirement age?

Unlike Social Security retirement benefits, the spousal benefit does not increase if you wait to take benefits beyond your full retirement age, currently age 66 for most retirees. Thus, there is no advantage in waiting beyond your full retirement age to start taking your spousal benefit.

Which wife gets the Social Security?

Wives who are 62 or older are eligible for Social Security retirement benefits. Younger wives are also entitled if they are caring for a child who is younger than 16 or disabled and entitled to benefits on the father's record.