Ask Larry

Will I Lose My Disability Income If I Receive Spousal Benefits?

I have been on disability income for several years. I will soon turn 62. I know that I can receive spousal benefits from husband's SS.
Will I lose my disability income,?

Hi,

I can't give you a complete answer without more information. If what you're drawing is Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits, then you wouldn't lose those benefits if you qualify for benefits from your husband's Social Security record. Any Social Security spousal benefits for which you qualify would be paid in addition to your SSDI benefits. By the way, if you choose to start drawing for spousal benefits prior to full retirement age (FRA) your spousal rate will be reduced for age.

For example, say Amy receives an SSDI benefit of $800 per month. Amy's husband is drawing his benefits and his primary insurance amount (PIA) is $2000. A person's PIA is equal to their full SSDI rate or their Social Security retirement benefit rate if they start drawing their retirement benefits at full retirement age (FRA). When Amy reaches age 62, she files for reduced spousal benefits. Amy's unreduced spousal rate would be calculated by subtracting her PIA, or full SSDI rate, from 50% of her husband's PIA, which in Amy's case is $200 (i.e. $2000/2 - $800). However, since Amy is filing for her spousal benefits at age 62 her rate is reduced to $134. That amount is then paid in addition to Amy's $800 SSDI payment.

If what you receive is Supplemental Security Income (SSI), though, then becoming eligible for spousal benefits could cause your SSI rate to be reduced or eliminated. SSI is a needs based benefit that's intended to supplement your other income (if any) up to an established level. Therefore, any type of new income source can cause SSI benefits to be reduced.

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
Oct 5 2020 - 10:54am
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