Hi, I’m trying to determine my spousal benefit amount if I file a restricted application and my wife is receiving SSDI. My question is somewhat similar to a July 26 “Spousal Benefits” question you answered. My facts... wife is 65 (FRA June 2019) and receiving $1,100 SSDI. I’m 65 (FRA Oct 2018) with estimated PIA $2,400.
If I file a Restricted Application in Oct 2018 upon attaining FRA, will my spousal benefit be $0 because of SSDI Family Maximum Benefit (FMB) limitation rules?... i.e. dually entitled beneficiary, my auxiliary benefit reduced to $0 because my own PIA is greater than 50% spouse’s SSDI. (Soc. Sec. Bulletin Vol 75, No. 3, 2015)
Instead of filling a Restricted Application in Oct 2018 when I reach FRA, should I wait until June 2019? I’m thinking June 2019 because that’s when wife reaches FRA, so her current SSDI benefit should automatically convert from SSDI to regular Social Security. I’m assuming when my wife’s benefit is no longer technically SSDI, then my Restricted Application spousal benefit should no longer be limited by SSDI’s FMB rules, thus I could start receiving $550 spousal benefit. Ultimately I would switch to my own benefit at age 70.

Hi,

If you file a restricted application for spousal benefits only when you reach full retirement age (FRA), your spousal rate would not be reduced because of your own primary insurance amount (PIA). Your PIA would make no difference to the amount you could receive as a spouse unless and until you actually file for benefits on your own record. By the way, you have the option of filing just for spousal benefits at FRA or later because you were born prior to January 2 1954, and are thus not affected by the new law on deeming passed by Congress in 2015 (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/deemedfaq.html),

If your wife's Social Security disability (SSDI) rate is $1100, the special disability family maximum would likely limit your spousal rate to less than 50% of your wife's SSDI rate, but it would not reduce your spousal amount to zero. It would not be advantageous for you to wait until your wife reaches FRA to file for spousal benefits, since your spousal rate would convert to 50% of your wife's PIA when she reaches FRA even if you're already receiving a lower spousal rate based on her SSDI record.

You may want to strongly consider using our maximization software to explore all of your options and determine the best overall strategy for you and your wife.

Best, Jerry