Ask Larry

Can My Wife Switch From SSI Disability To Spousal Benefits At Age 66?

my wife is on ssi disibility since age 60 can she change to spousal benefit at age 66 on my socal security earnings which wii be much higher.

Hi,

If your wife is receiving Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits then she could potentially get additional spousal benefits when you start drawing your benefits, but she could not switch from SSDI to spousal benefits. If she does qualify for spousal benefits, she could then choose to wait until her full retirement age to claim them so that her spousal rate wouldn't be reduced for age.

However, if your wife is receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments based on disability, then she would have to file for spousal benefits as soon as she's first eligible for them or else her SSI payments would stop.

Best, Jerry

Category: 
Posted: 
Jul 18 2019 - 12:12pm
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