Join Early Retirement Today
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
SS Spousal SUPPLEMENT
Old 06-18-2019, 12:19 PM   #1
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
SumDay's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,862
SS Spousal SUPPLEMENT

Browsing through the AARP bulletin, I saw this question in the Ask Jane Bryant Quinn column:
Q. My husband and I have both started Social Security. I’m taking my full benefit, and he is taking spousal benefits on my account. When he turns 70 and takes his own full benefit, can I switch to the spousal benefit on his account? It would be more than what I’m receiving now.

A. You can’t switch to the spousal benefit in this situation, but you can get those same dollars in another way, say Jerry Lutz of Maximize My SS. When your husband takes his own retirement benefit, you can apply for the spousal supplement which will raise your benefits to what you’d be entitled to if you had filed as a spouse. Note: If you had filed for your own benefit or your supplement before your FRA, your new total benefit would be reduced.
I thought I knew quite a bit about SS, but this one blew over my head. I did find a similar answer that Jerry Lutz provided on his site. https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com...sal-supplement

Anyone actually ever done this? DH's spousal benefit from my SS starts in August, and then in four years, he'll begin his. So, it sounds like I might get a little bump if this is what it appears to be?
__________________
FIRE Class of 2018 @ 61

Old men and women sit in the shade of trees they planted long ago
SumDay is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 Early Retirement and Financial Independence Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

Are you planning to be financially independent as early as possible so you can live life on your own terms? Discuss successful investing strategies, asset allocation models, tax strategies and other related topics in our online forum community. Our members range from young folks just starting their journey to financial independence, military retirees and even multimillionaires. No matter where you fit in you'll find that Early-Retirement.org is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with our members, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create a retirement blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 06-18-2019, 12:29 PM   #2
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
MissMolly's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,134
Yes, it's possible. The maximum you can get on spousal is 50% of the amount he was entitled to at full retirement age - not age 70. If you filed for your own benefits prior to your full retirement age, the 50% spousal will be reduced due to your early filing. So, if once all those calculations are taken and the amount will be greater than what you are currently receiving, your check will get bumped up to the higher amount.
__________________
And whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.- Desiderata by Max Ehrmann
MissMolly is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 06-18-2019, 12:35 PM   #3
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
SumDay's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,862
Quote:
Originally Posted by MissMolly View Post
Yes, it's possible. The maximum you can get on spousal is 50% of the amount he was entitled to at full retirement age - not age 70. If you filed for your own benefits prior to your full retirement age, the 50% spousal will be reduced due to your early filing. So, if once all those calculations are taken and the amount will be greater than what you are currently receiving, your check will get bumped up to the higher amount.
Cool, thanks! I'm guessing they won't do this out of the goodness of their collective hearts unless I ask them to.
__________________
FIRE Class of 2018 @ 61

Old men and women sit in the shade of trees they planted long ago
SumDay is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-18-2019, 01:54 PM   #4
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
MissMolly's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,134
Meh. They may, they may not. I would be proactive and talk to them about it when your husband files.
__________________
And whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.- Desiderata by Max Ehrmann
MissMolly is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 06-18-2019, 02:42 PM   #5
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
VanWinkle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Tellico Village
Posts: 2,607
Quote:
Originally Posted by SumDay View Post
Cool, thanks! I'm guessing they won't do this out of the goodness of their collective hearts unless I ask them to.
Actually they normally do catch this and increase your SS to 50% of FRA of the spouse as long as you waited to FRA to claim your SS. I agree that I would
be proactive just to be sure!!
__________________
Retired May 13th(Friday) 2016 at age 61.
VanWinkle is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
social security, spousal supplement


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Medicare Supplement Question stillmuchtolearn FIRE and Money 4 09-24-2006 09:44 PM
Medicare supplement uncledrz FIRE and Money 5 10-15-2005 05:55 AM

» Quick Links

 
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:20 AM.
 
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.