When should a spouse take Social Security?

Asked by: Sally Armstrong  |  Last update: October 2, 2022
Score: 4.3/5 (28 votes)

To claim a spousal benefit, the low earner must wait until the later of (1) reaching age 62 or (2) the month in which the high earner claims his own-record benefit.

When should a couple take Social Security?

Both wait until age 70 to claim benefits

If you or your spouse (or even both of you!) can wait until you're 70, you'll receive your highest Social Security payments—up to 132% of your primary insurance amount (PIA) if your full retirement age (FRA) is 66, and 124% of your PIA if your FRA is 67.

Can I collect spousal benefits and wait until I am 70 to collect my own Social Security?

You can only collect spousal benefits and wait until 70 to claim your retirement benefit if both of the following are true: You were born before Jan. 2, 1954. Your spouse is collecting his or her own Social Security retirement benefit.

Which spouse should take Social Security first?

In situations where the spouse's Social Security monthly benefit is greater than their partner's, the longer a spouse waits to claim Social Security, the higher the monthly benefit for both the spouse and the surviving spouse.

What are the rules for collecting your spouse's Social Security?

Even if they have never worked under Social Security, your spouse may be eligible for benefits if they are at least 62 years of age and you are receiving retirement or disability benefits. Your spouse can also qualify for Medicare at age 65.

Social Security Spousal Benefits - MADE EASY to Understand

20 related questions found

When can a wife collect half of her husband's Social Security?

You can claim spousal benefits as early as age 62, but you won't receive as much as if you wait until your own full retirement age. For example, if your full retirement age is 67 and you choose to claim spousal benefits at 62, you'd receive a benefit that's equal to 32.5% of your spouse's full benefit amount.

Can a wife draw husband's Social Security while he is alive?

number 5 below). wives and widows. That means most divorced women collect their own Social Security while the ex is alive, but can apply for higher widow's rates when he dies. benefit on your record if you die before he does.

Can you collect 1/2 of spouse's Social Security and then your full amount?

Your full spouse's benefit could be up to one-half the amount your spouse is entitled to receive at their full retirement age. If you choose to begin receiving spouse's benefits before you reach full retirement age, your benefit amount will be permanently reduced.

Can I collect my own Social Security and then switch to spousal benefit?

In this case, you can claim your own Social Security beginning at 62 and make the switch to spousal benefits when your husband or wife files. Social Security will not pay the sum of your retirement and spousal benefits; you'll get a payment equal to the higher of the two benefits.

What is the maximum amount of Social Security for a married couple?

For an eligible beneficiary who claims Social Security upon reaching full retirement age in 2022, the highest possible monthly payment is $3,345. For one who does so at age 70, it's $4,194. If they qualify based on their own work histories, a married couple can each receive the maximum individual retirement benefit.

When should lower earning spouse claim Social Security?

To claim a spousal benefit, the low earner must wait until the later of (1) reaching age 62 or (2) the month in which the high earner claims his own-record benefit. If the low earner claims the spousal benefit at or after FRA L, her benefit amount equals the PIA S.

At what age is Social Security no longer taxed?

However once you are at full retirement age (between 65 and 67 years old, depending on your year of birth) your Social Security payments can no longer be withheld if, when combined with your other forms of income, they exceed the maximum threshold.

Does spousal Social Security benefits reduce my benefits?

If I receive a spouse benefit, will it reduce the amount that my spouse receives? No, receiving benefits on your spouse's earnings record does not affect the amount of the retirement or disability benefit that your spouse receives.

Is it better to take Social Security at 62 or 67?

The short answer is yes. Retirees who begin collecting Social Security at 62 instead of at the full retirement age (67 for those born in 1960 or later) can expect their monthly benefits to be 30% lower. So, delaying claiming until 67 will result in a larger monthly check.

Can married couples both collect Social Security at the same time?

Each spouse can claim their own retirement benefit based solely on their individual earnings history. You can both collect your full amounts at the same time. However, your spouse's earnings could affect the overall amount you get from Social Security, if you receive spousal benefits.

Can I collect my Social Security at 62 if my husband is still working?

You can collect benefits on the work record of an ex who has not yet filed for his or her own Social Security benefits if all of the following hold: You are both 62 or older. The marriage lasted at least 10 years. You've been divorced for at least two years.

What percentage of husbands Social Security does a spouse get?

Social Security Program Rules

The wife of a retired worker is eligible for a spousal benefit of up to 50 percent of her husband's primary insurance amount ( PIA ), if claimed at her full retirement age ( FRA ).

How much Social Security will I get if I make $25000 a year?

So, if you have a part-time job that pays $25,000 a year — $5,440 over the limit — Social Security will deduct $2,720 in benefits. Suppose you will reach full retirement age in 2022.

Is there really a $16728 Social Security bonus?

You can receive as much as a $16,728 bonus or more every year. A particular formula will determine the money you'll receive in your retirement process. You must know the hacks for generating higher future payments.

How much Social Security will I get if I make $120000 a year?

The point is that if you earned $120,000 per year for the past 35 years, thanks to the annual maximum taxable wage limits, the maximum Social Security benefit you could get at full retirement age is $2,687.

How much money can you have in the bank if you get Social Security?

WHAT IS THE RESOURCE LIMIT? The limit for countable resources is $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple.

Do you have to be married 10 consecutive years to collect Social Security?

What are the marriage requirements to receive Social Security spouse's benefits? Generally, you must be married for one year before you can get spouse's benefits. However, if you are the parent of your spouse's child, the one-year rule does not apply.

Can I collect spousal benefits and still work?

Your spousal or survivor benefits may be reduced if you are under full retirement age and continue to work. Social Security is phasing in the FRA increase differently for different types of benefits.

How much Social Security will I get if I make $60000 a year?

That adds up to $2,096.48 as a monthly benefit if you retire at full retirement age. Put another way, Social Security will replace about 42% of your past $60,000 salary. That's a lot better than the roughly 26% figure for those making $120,000 per year.

How can I avoid paying taxes on Social Security?

How to minimize taxes on your Social Security
  1. Move income-generating assets into an IRA. ...
  2. Reduce business income. ...
  3. Minimize withdrawals from your retirement plans. ...
  4. Donate your required minimum distribution. ...
  5. Make sure you're taking your maximum capital loss.