Larry,
My spouse and I both turn 62 next year. I’m several months older and my PIA is $2,500+ and my spouse’s PIA is $400+. We have an unmarried disabled adult child (DAC) whom is currently receiving both SSI and SSA monthly payments.
It appears as though my spouse and DAC would each qualify for up to half of my PIA, only after I file for my retirement benefits. Also, while I’m still living it looks as though the most they could ever receive would be 50% of my PIA regardless of what age I choose to retire.
For my spouse I found an FAQ answer on the SSA site regarding ‘deemed’ filing which states in part, “If you receive a spousal benefit because you are caring for a child who is under age 16 or disabled ... deemed filing does not apply and you are therefore not required or “deemed” to file for your retirement benefit.” Does this mean that my spouse can file for a “caring for a child” benefit totally apart from their own age and earnings record? Our primary concern here is not locking in any age related penalties reducing future spousal benefits, should some event arise whereby our DAC would no longer be qualified in our household.
For our DAC, I realize that the SSI payment would cease. However would they keep receiving their existing SSA payment and have it combined with auxiliary benefits from my earnings record to get them to 50% of my PIA? If so, it would help both my spouse and DAC get fairly close to the 50% PIA amounts before consuming the family maximum benefits based on my earnings record.
If your software can handle these inputs, then we’ll gladly pursue to help us maximize our benefits.
Thank You,
Gene
Hi Gene,
The maximization software available on this website can handle all of the variables mentioned in your question. You should strongly consider using it to determine your best strategy.
To answer your specific questions:
- Your wife and child could potentially receive up to 50% of your PIA if they qualify, but the maximum family benefit could result in a lower rate.
- If your wife qualifies for spousal benefits on the basis of having an eligible child in her care, she won't be deemed to have also filed for benefits on her own record.
- Your child could receive the higher of his or her own Social Security disability rate or the Disabled Adult Child rate payable from your record, but not both.
I should caution you that the full family maximum benefit (FMB) is not necessarily payable in all cases. For example, if you start taking benefits before full retirement age, your full retirement age rate is still deducted from the FMB before determining the amount to be distributed to your wife and child. Also, the fact that your child may become dually entitled (i.e. entitled to different types of benefits on more than one record) may affect his or her combined benefit rate. This is a complex provision explained in this section of Social Security's operations manual: https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0300615768. Fortunately, the maximization software on this site is programmed to handle all of these complex calculations.
Best, Jerry
