I need some help and guidance from any social security experts. Below is my situation and question.
My wife started taking her social security benefit at age 65 and shortly thereafter retired (June, 2020) from her job in public education. She worked in a Texas school district which does not take out Social Security (she had earned her quarters previously working with various different companies) and began receiving her TRS retirement pension benefit in July. Because of Social Security rules pertaining to working for public entities which don't withhold Social Security, her Social Security benefit was essentially cut in half. After Medicare is taken out she is now making $350/month.
I may begin taking my Social Security benefit next January and according to the information on my account I will receive a benefit of just under $3,000 per month. Here are my questions.
1. Will my wife be eligible to take half of my benefit in place of her current benefit?
2. If the answer to number 1 is yes, will that amount (approximately $1500 per month) be reduced because of the reduction associated with her being employed by a public entity that did not withhold Social Security.
3. Will my wife need to file for her new benefit or does Social Security automatically recognize the spousal relationship and make the change to her benefit accordingly.
Thanks for any information you may provide. Its possible I may not take by benefit until Jan,2006 which is my full retirement age, but I want to know my situation regarding my wife before I begin taking my benefit.
My wife started taking her social security benefit at age 65 and shortly thereafter retired (June, 2020) from her job in public education. She worked in a Texas school district which does not take out Social Security (she had earned her quarters previously working with various different companies) and began receiving her TRS retirement pension benefit in July. Because of Social Security rules pertaining to working for public entities which don't withhold Social Security, her Social Security benefit was essentially cut in half. After Medicare is taken out she is now making $350/month.
I may begin taking my Social Security benefit next January and according to the information on my account I will receive a benefit of just under $3,000 per month. Here are my questions.
1. Will my wife be eligible to take half of my benefit in place of her current benefit?
2. If the answer to number 1 is yes, will that amount (approximately $1500 per month) be reduced because of the reduction associated with her being employed by a public entity that did not withhold Social Security.
3. Will my wife need to file for her new benefit or does Social Security automatically recognize the spousal relationship and make the change to her benefit accordingly.
Thanks for any information you may provide. Its possible I may not take by benefit until Jan,2006 which is my full retirement age, but I want to know my situation regarding my wife before I begin taking my benefit.