I am collecting my Social Security and my husband is collecting spousal benefits. He will turn 70 in July, 2020. We do not want to increase our income this year due to tax reasons and Medicare IRMAA income limits. Collecting his full Social Security for half of this year would put us over the income limit for IRMAA and force us to pay the Medicare surcharge in 2022. Can he claim his full Social Security in January and still receive the six month retroactive lump sum benefit amount even though he will be collecting spousal benefits during those same six months from July-December?

Hi,

Yes, your husband could apply for his benefits in January 2021 and claim the benefits retroactive to July 2020. And, assuming that his own rate is higher than his spousal rate, he would then be paid his back pay in a lump sum less the amount of the spousal benefits that he already received for the retroactive months.

Best, Jerry