Hi Larry,
My husband started receiving his social security at the age of 62. He is now 64. He has had a lung removed a few months ago and is undergoing chemotherapy. Can he apply for a disability supplement to his current social security? Does he have any options at all to supplement his social security in any way? Also, could I apply for any supplement - have not taken social security yet, I am also 64. Please help. Thank you!

Hi,

Yes, your husband can file for Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits, but that wouldn't be a totally separate benefit from the Social Security retirement benefit he's now drawing. If your husband is approved for SSDI prior to his full retirement age (FRA), then Social Security would remove some of the reduction for age that was applied to his current benefit rate. The result would be a somewhat higher monthly benefit rate, not an entirely new benefit.

I can't tell you whether or not your husband might qualify for any other types of benefits. Social Security does administer a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program for low income people, but if your husband's Social Security is more than around $800 then his income would be too high to qualify for any SSI benefits.

As for your benefits, you could potentially file now for either Social Security retirement benefits and/or spousal benefits, but your benefit rate will be reduced for age if you start drawing prior to FRA. You couldn't file just for retirement benefits or just for spousal benefits, though. Whenever you file for benefits you'll be deemed to be filing for both of those benefits, and you'll only be able to receive essentially the higher of the two benefit rates. Also, until you reach FRA if you work and earn too much then part or all of your benefits could be withheld due to Social Security's earnings test (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/whileworking.html).

You may want to consider using our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to explore and compare your options in order to determine the best strategy for maximizing your benefits.

Best, Jerry