I am 62 and currently receiveing SSD of 1241, wife is 61 nand was considering filing for SSI at 62 in March. Is this a good idea and whAt is this partial SS off my benefits? Could she get that?

Hi,

By SSI, I assume you're referring to Social Security Insurance and not Supplemental Security Income, the latter of which is a needs based benefit administered by Social Security for individuals who are disabled, blind or age 65 or older.

Whenever your wife files for Social Security benefits she'll be deemed to be filing for both her own Social Security retirement benefits and for spousal benefits. She'll then receive essentially the higher of the 2 benefit rates and her rate will be reduced for age if she starts drawing prior to her full retirement age (FRA).

For example, say Joan files for Social Security benefits at age 62. Joan's primary insurance amount (PIA), which is equal to the amount she'd receive if she started drawing her own Social Security retirement benefits at FRA, is $500. However, in return for drawing benefits early, Joan's benefit rate is reduced to $364. Joan's husband is receiving Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits and his SSDI rate, which is equal to his PIA, is $1250. Joan's unreduced spousal benefit would then be calculated by subtracting her PIA from 50% of her husband's PIA, which in her case is $125 (i.e. $1250/2 - $500). However, since Joan is claiming benefits at age 62, her spousal rate is reduced for age to $84. Joan would then be paid that excess spousal benefit in addition to her reduced retirement rate for a combined amount of $448 (i.e. $364 + $84). If Joan had instead waited until her FRA to start drawing benefits her combined rate would have been $625, or a full 50% of her husband's PIA.

Your wife may want to consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to explore and compare her options so that she can choose the best possible strategy for claiming her benefits.

Best, Jerry

Best, Jerry