Spousal Social Security

[always_learning]

Can someone help me with a social-security-for-spouses question?

I am seven years younger than my DH. I am a few credits short of being able to obtain my own SS. For this discussion, assume I do not return to the workforce to get those last few credits and will collect on DH's record.

If DH collects SS before his FRA at age 67, I know his benefit will be reduced from his PIA.

What I am not completely clear on is my benefit, should I collect on his record. If I wait until my FRA at age 67, will my benefit be half of his PIA or half of the reduced amount he is receiving at the time I file?

I have been over and over the SS site and various blogs and haven't seen a clear answer on that. It sounds like once I reach my FRA I would receive half of his PIA no matter when he begins collecting, but I thought I would see if someone here knows for sure.

Of course, this assumes that SS FRA and $$ aren't tinkered with before we get to that point.

[Sunset]

The other question would be Medicare coverage, is this also spousal ?

[DatumPoint5]

Quote:

Originally Posted by always_learning It sounds like once I reach my FRA I would receive half of his PIA no matter when he begins collecting.

This is exactly how it works.

Also, you can claim your spousal as early as 62, but it will be a reduced amount from the 50% of his PIA.

[2017ish]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunset The other question would be Medicare coverage, is this also spousal ?

Yes.

Quote:

You are eligible for premium-free Part A if you are age 65 or older and you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. You can get Part A at age 65 without having to pay premiums if: You are receiving retirement benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board. You are eligible to receive Social Security or Railroad benefits but you have not yet filed for them. You or your spouse had Medicare-covered government employment.

Here is the source: https://www.hhs.gov/answers/medicare...are/index.html

[homestead]

I can confirm this to be true, I started SS at 62 and my wife is currently collecting spousal amount of 50% of my FRA amount. She waited until 67 to get the full 50% otherwise it would have been reduced. This was easy to do since she is 5 yrs older than me.

[always_learning]

Thanks for all of the replies. This helps in our planning. Now I have to run some more numbers....

[Blue Collar Guy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by always_learning Thanks for all of the replies. This helps in our planning. Now I have to run some more numbers....

IDK how old you, are but the last time cutting soc sec was getting some traction they were targeting anyone under 55 for the proposed cuts. So I would run a few scenarios, the 100 % promised amounts, The 70 % of promised amount I hear about, and getting a big fat nothing. The truth will be some where in between that.