My wife is exactly 3 years younger then me and I intend to start my social security at 66 1/2 when I will receive $3000/mo. I plan to start my wife at 62 where she will receive $750/mo based on her earnings and when I start taking benefits I believe she would receive about $1200/mo based on 1/2 my spousal earning less about 15% for her taking it well before her full retirement age. From what I read that is supposed to be the best strategy. However our situation is complicated because our son who has a disability and is currently on SSI would need to share the 150% (or 180%) maximum family benefit with my wife. What might the best strategy be with consideration for my sons benefit? Could he remain on SSI and my wife's benefit remain at $1200/mo?

Hi,

To answer your last question first, no your son couldn't continue to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and not file for disabled adult child's (DAC) benefits as soon as he first becomes eligible for those benefits. If your wife files for her benefits before you, then your son will first need to file for DAC benefits on your wife's account. He would then need to file on your account when you file for your benefits since his benefit rate would be higher on your record. Whenever your son starts receiving DAC benefits, his SSI benefits will be offset dollar for dollar by at least all but the first $20 of his DAC amount.

When both you and your wife are drawing benefits, if your son qualifies for DAC benefits on both of your records then your and your wife's family maximum benefit (FMB) amounts can be combined. That should free up more total benefits to be paid to your family. As far as your best overall strategy, though, that depends on a number of different variables. You should strongly consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to explore and compare all of your various options so that you can choose the filing strategy that you feel will best meet your family's long term needs.

Best, Jerry