Ask Larry

Is It True That's There's No Limit On How Much Each Member Of A Couple Can Be Paid Based On Their Own Earnings History?

I am getting conflicting answers.

Is there a limit on Social Security benefits for married couples if both spouses worked outside the home and earned income and each has a Social Security account?
I am told that not when it comes to each spouse’s own benefit. Both can receive retirement payments based on their respective earnings records and the age when they claimed benefits. One payment does not offset or affect the other

Is this true?.

Hi. Yes, that's true. Although there's a family maximum benefit (FMB) amount that can be paid monthly from each person's Social Security record, the FMB can only limit auxiliary (e.g. spousal, child) or survivor benefits. There is no limit on the amount of Social Security retirement or disability benefits that a person can be paid based on their own earnings history, regardless of whether or not they have a spouse who is also collecting benefits.

Best, Jerry

Category: 
Posted: 
Oct 27 2022 - 2:24pm
MaxiFi software running on a laptop
Get What's Yours!
Discover tens of thousands in extra retirement dollars with Maximize My Social Security software!
  • Find your maximized strategy
  • Unlimited what-ifs
  • Step-by-Step filing instructions
  • Our software's lifetime-benefit increase for an illustrative couple earning $65K each and planning to take retirement benefits at 62.

    Results will differ based on your specific case and filing strategy.

Getting Started is Easy
Web-based software. Works on ALL browsers. No download.