A Social Security Question For You Older Guys ??

[billt]

I'm retired, and I am 63 years old. I've been collecting Social Security benefits since I turned 62. My wife will turn 62 this time next year. She will also start collecting her benefits then. Her current monthly payment she qualifies for at 62 is less than half of my current monthly payment. She is not working, so that will not likely increase in the upcoming year.

My question is will she be able to receive the larger payment of half of my benefit, instead of her lesser benefit? We have no children, and have been married for 34 years. According to this example from the S.S. website, she is. But I'm feeling this is one of those, "too good to be true" situations. I would like to hear from any of you guy's who's wives are actually getting the increased benefit of half of your benefit, over their lesser benefit. I just want to be sure I'm reading this correctly. Thanks in advance.

https://faq.ssa.gov/link/portal/34011/34019/Article/3754/What-is-the-eligibility-for-Social-Security-spouse-s-benefits-and-my-own-retirement-benefits

"Here is an example:

Mary Ann qualifies for a retirement benefit of $250 and a spouse’s benefit of $400. At her full retirement age, she will receive her own $250 retirement benefit, and we will add $150 from her spouse’s benefit, for a total of $400. If she takes her retirement benefit before her full retirement age, both amounts will be reduced."

[MikeBjerum]

I am not in that category, but having parent and in-laws that have been in that stage I have learned that the Social Security office is a great help.  For my mother it was the office who brought up the fact that she was entitled to my father's benefits, even though they were divorced, he was remarried, and he was dead.  His benefit was higher than hers, so that was an instant increase, and then when she reached 72 and hadn't used her benefit, it had grown so she got another large increase by switching to it.

I recommend you talk to your financial planner, and then go to the SS office and sit down with them.  Nobody in our area has complained about not being helped in a good way by them.

[billt]

I checked on line, and I can't find anywhere on the S.S. website that allows you to ask a E-Mail question. If you try to call, you're put on hold forever.  And only after you go through the whole, "press 1, press 2" format. So I just gave up. I know I could drive down to the S.S. office, but the lines there are very long. That's why I posted this here.

When I applied for my benefits, I did it on line. Then, a week or so later, a woman from S.S. called me, and I had to verify my identity, and she asked me several questions, and that was it. I started receiving my benefits on the exact day she said I would.

[MikeBjerum]

We are fortunate to have regional offices within our state - Two within 60 miles that serve us.

I always told people when they were dealing with estates, surviving spouse changes, to have some snacks, beverages, a good book, and the tv remote handy in their favorite chair before dialing the 800 number.  However if you have the number of your local office, you will get much quicker attention, and they are the ones that give the best and clearest answers.  If you don't know where your local office is or their number, call your funeral director for the information - They deal with this information daily.

[GASPASSERDELUXE]

I retired just short of 63 and started receiving benefits. My wife turned 62 10 months later and applied. She gets about 40% of my benefit.  If you were wondering about when you passed your wife looses hers and gets your full amount. Hope this helps.

[Sponsor]

[billt]

Thanks. The way I understand it, (And the way the example shows), is if half of your benefit is the greater amount over what she is entitled to receive on her own, she then receives the greater of the 2 benefits...... Not both. Then when I die, (assuming I go before her), she then receives my benefit, and gives up hers.

[vincewarde]

I know very little about Social Security Retirement, but I am about your age - and I know that there have been some changes that apply to people born after 12-31-1953.  People born before that date have some options available that people born after that date do not have.  I do not know if any apply to your situation.

[Pathfinder]

Head down to the SS officeon a Wednesday. Typically, here at least (KY) they are only open half day, and the wait is short. Be the first one there. My wife and I found them to be very helpful (surprise!).

My wife is getting her late husbands SS payments, which are quite a bit larger than hers (tho not as large as mine . . . .  ) which she can do to 70-1/2. Note: We waited until we were fully vested to max the payback.

Now that this has been answered 12 ways to Sunday, get the hell off my lawn!!!!     

[Timothy]

I can't answer your question directly but I can offer this.

My wife is disabled and receives a stipend from SSI, from her own work history, that will grow to half MY SS income WHEN she turns 65 (while I'm still alive) but not until.  That may be the same caveat that you're seeing.

As said, call SS and get some answers.  I've never had trouble getting through myself.

[alfsauve]

Not sure how that works out when her actual benefit is less that the spousal, but...

Miss Kitty and I are both over 65 and still working.   She is collecting an amount equal to half my current benefit as a "spousal benefit."    This will continue until she actually files for her benefits, which are greater than half mine.    The "spousal benefit" was meant to provide income for divorced women who had supported the husbands for 10 years or more.

Oh btw, if a woman has had another husband, an ex, with whom she was married to for at least 10 years, she can also collect half of his.   Double dip, so to speak.   Permission not required, but he must have filed for SS. 

None of this in anyway reduces the husband's benefits.  Nor does the husband, or ex, even have to know it's happening.   I did have the "file and delay" my benefits, but it was just a paper work technicality.

Yes, this is too good to be true.   It's being phased out, but you will probably qualify still.