I started receiving my SSI income last October at age 63 and pension from my Federal service. I remarried in July of 2020 to my current wife who was a homemaker for 32 years and never worked, can she receive half of my SSI amount when she turns 62 next year?

Hi. When you refer to SSI, I assume you mean Social Security retirement benefits and not Supplemental Security Income. If you're collecting Social Security retirement benefits then your spouse could potentially qualify for spousal benefits on your account as early as age 62. However, the amount wouldn't necessarily be 50% of your benefit amount.

Unreduced spousal benefits are calculated based on 50% of the worker's primary insurance amount (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). However, if your wife claims benefits prior to her FRA, her benefit rate will be reduced for age. And, if your wife starts collecting spousal benefits at a younger age than your were when you started your benefits, her monthly benefit amount will be lower than 50% of the amount of your monthly benefit.

It sounds like your wife should strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to fully analyze all of her options so that she can determine the best overall strategy for maximizing her benefits.

Best, Jerry