Ask Larry

Could I Switch To A Spousal Benefit Or Collect An Excess Spousal Benefit?

My husband is 73 and still working. I am 70 and still working full time. I waited to collect SS until I was 67 and my Husband waited as well. Could I switch to or collect an excess spousal benefit as well as my SS or just collect a spousal benefit?

Hi,

Assuming that you're already drawing your own Social Security benefits then you definitely couldn't elect to get just a spousal benefit instead of your own benefit. Whether or not you could receive an excess spousal benefit in addition to your own benefit depends on your and your husband's relative benefit rates. Your husband's primary insurance amount (PIA) would have to be more than twice as much as your PIA in order for you to be able to qualify for an excess spousal benefit., A person's PIA is the amount of their Social Security retirement benefit if they start drawing at full retirement age (FRA).

If you think that your husband's PIA is more than twice as much as your PIA you should probably contact Social Security ASAP to apply for spousal benefits.

Best, Jerry

Category: 
Posted: 
Oct 2 2019 - 2:53pm
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