If my son receives a Childhood Disability Benefit on my wife's much lower earnings record when she turns 62, he would be eligible for Medicare about five years earlier than if we both wait to our Full Retirement Age. Furthermore, if he remains on her record at that time, we would stay below the maximum family benefit, and my wife's total spousal benefit on my record would be nearly 50% of my PIA. (My son's smaller benefit would have no impact on his care and well being as he must remain eligible for Medicaid based support). When both my wife and I are deceased, would he automatically receive 75% of my PIA? Could he be switched to my PIA at any time prior to or only after my wife's death, if I am still living? Do you see any problems with this overall approach, or is there a better alternative?

Hi,

If your son qualifies for Disabled Adult Child's (DAC) benefits on your wife's account then he could very likely qualify for DAC on your record as well. Of course, you and/or your wife would either need to be drawing your benefits or be deceased in order for him to qualify, and he could only be paid benefits on one of your records, not both.

If your plan is for your son to remain at a lower benefit rate by not filing on your record so that he can remain eligible for Medicaid, I'm not sure that will work. You don't mention it, but if your son receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI) he would be required to file for higher DAC benefits on your account as soon as you file for your benefits. Otherwise, his SSI eligibility would be terminated. I'm not an expert on Medicaid, though, so I don't know if they have a similar requirement.

If and when both you and your wife are receiving benefits on your own records, the family maximum benefit amounts on your records could be combined if your son is entitled on both of your accounts. That's one possible alternative to what you've proposed, but I don't know what your family's best strategy would be without the complete facts of your case. You may want to strongly consider using our maximization software in order to compare all of your options and determine your best overall strategy.

Best, Jerry