Hi, I just claim my spousal SS benefits and I believe I am not getting the amount of money I should. My personal SS benefits now is $781 and my husband’s SS benefits $2005. I claimed my spousal SS benefits 8 months before full retirement age (66) and according to SS benefits website I should receive 47.22% of my husband primary insurance amount. I was told by the SS benefits agent that I will get added $78 at my own SS benefits. Is this correct ? Thank you in advance for your reply.

Hi,

Probably. Since you filed for reduced benefits on your own record, you'd be stuck with that reduction plus any reduction that applies to your excess spousal benefits. For example:

Say Jane has a full retirement age rate (PIA) of $900, but she files for reduced retirement benefits at age 64 at a rate of $780. Jane's husband later files for his retirement benefits and his PIA is $2000. Jane's unreduced excess spousal benefit would be calculated by subtracting her PIA from 50% of her husband's PIA, which in this example would be $100 (i.e. $2000/2 - $900). But, say that Jane becomes entitled to the spousal benefits 12 months before her full retirement age (FRA), so her spousal benefit would also be reduced to $91. Jane's reduced spousal benefit would then be added to her reduced retirement benefit to give her a combined benefit rate of $871 (i.e. $780 + $91).

You could check to see if your spousal benefits have been correctly calculated using our maximization software. The software would also allow you and your husband to determine if you have any better filing options available to you.

Best, Jerry