I was married previously for 23 years but divorced. My current husband and I were both born in December 1952. We've been married for almost 15 years. I have been on disability based on my earned wages since 2011. At 65 in 2017 I filed for Medicare as required. At age 66 can I and would it be wise to file for SSI against my husbands much higher lifetime income and will I get 1/2 or his full benefit amount? Thank you.

Hi,

Your husband would have to be receiving his retirement or disability benefits in order for you to potentially qualify for spousal benefits. And, you would only qualify for spousal benefits if 50% of your husband's full retirement age rate (PIA) is higher than your own PIA. If you do qualify for spousal benefits and start drawing them at your full retirement age (FRA) or later, what you would receive is the difference between your own PIA and 50% of your husband's PIA, which would then be added to your own benefit to bring your total up to 50% of your husband's PIA.

One possibility that it sounds like you and your husband should consider is for your husband to file just for spousal benefits only on your record at his FRA and then switch to his own record at age 70. His benefit rate would grow by 32% if he waits until age 70 to start drawing, and that higher rate would also apply to your widow's benefits if your husband dies before you. The only downside is that you would then not be able to qualify for spousal benefits at least until your husband files for his benefits at age 70.

You and your husband should strongly consider using our maximization software to compare your options and determine your best overall filing strategy.

Best, Jerry