Larry I will be 66 on Feb 1st and have been collecting my own SS for 1 year (Feb 2022). My husband is 66 and collects his SS Can I collect spousal benefit at my FRA (66 & 6 months). And if I can what percentage? It’s all so confusing to me. Thanks June

Hi June. The only way that you could qualify for spousal benefits while you husband is living is if your husband's primary insurance amount (PIA) is more than twice as much as your own 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).

People born after January 1 1954 are not allowed to apply for their own Social Security retirement benefits without being deemed to also be filing for spousal benefits (https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/claiming.html). So, if your husband's PIA is more than twice as much as your PIA, then Social Security should have recognized that fact and should already be paying you spousal benefits. Turning FRA wouldn't make you eligible for spousal benefits if you aren't already eligible for them.

If you think that your husband's PIA may be more than twice as much as your own PIA, then you should probably check with Social Security just to make sure that your entitlement wasn't overlooked.

Best, Jerry