I am 68 years old and retired. I receive SSI Retirement. My husband is disabled and recieves SS Disability. Am I eligible to apply for spousal benefits along with my retirement? And will affect his disability amount that he receives now?

Hi,

You can apply for spousal benefits based on your husband's Social Security disability (SSDI) benefit entitlement, but if you're collecting Social Security retirement benefits then you'll only qualify for spousal benefits if your primary insurance amount (PIA) is less than 50% of your husband's PIA. A person's PIA is equal to their Social Security retirement benefit rate if they start drawing their benefits at full retirement age (FRA), or their full SSDI rate.

If you do qualify for spousal benefits, it would have no adverse effect on your husband's SSDI benefits. Spousal benefits are auxiliary benefits, meaning that they are paid in addition to the worker's Social Security benefit, not subtracted from them.

Best, Jerry