PART 2: Social Security Spousal Benefits Explained by Former SSA Manager 

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Ed, I’ve listen to several of your videos and they have been extremely valuable to me as I prepare to retire in 2024. The process to file is overwhelming as you know. Thanks for your guidance and expertise, I am grateful for your willingness to help. Have a perfect day!

Thank you, Dr. Weir ! Quick question. Scenario: Lower earning spouse is vested, but FRA benefit is lower than 1/2 of higher earning spouse's FRA benefit. Higher earning spouse is 2 yrs younger than lower earning spouse. If the lower earning spouse claims their own benefit at FRA, would they later file for the excess benefit at the time (2 years later) that the higher earning spouse claims at their FRA? Thanks again!

Dr. Weir, are you well versed on the windfall elimination provisions for public sector employees?

Great info. Thanks so much.

Both my wife and I are past FRA. I just filed for my SS benefit and it is being decided. My wife does not have enough credits to file on her own and wants to file for spousal benefits. Can she do this now, or does she have to wait until I am approved and receiving my benefit? Thanks

❤🎉❤🎉 spouse died, skipped town, drifter, I get ssd got hurt by patient, took me 16 plus months of nightmare mail, and complying to be denied, ssd started age factor idk I tossed it, he got ssd from gm, and militarily and drugs I was a nurse, why can't I collect the back pay and his check that's smaller I need that back pay to move Help

How does the new Social Security Spousal Rule that ends in 2024 work for a stay-at-home housewife? How will that affect someone born in the 70s? Are GEN X SOL? asking here too :)

I'm divorced from my husband for over 20 years. He is 7 years younger than myself. I'm presently am 67 years old. I never worked, stay at home mom. When can I claim social security since he is several years younger and I have no idea when he will retire.

I am on SS Disability, divorced after 17 years of marriage. Wife was the breadwinner of the family. What is my situation in regards to spousal benefits?

Hubby started drawing at his FRA, 67 1/2, I started at 62 on my own credits. If he passes, the way I understand it is there formula basically takes my ck up to what his is and that’s that. I do not get my own AND his full.

When you and your spouse are both on full retirement age. Can you claim spousal benefit now at age 67 then claim your own benefit at age 70? By initially claiming spousal benefit at age 67, Will you get the step up benefit (delayed retirement credit) for waiting to claim your own benefit until age 70?

¡Gracias!

Will ssa tell you how much you can get for divorced spouse benefit to see if you want to actually file for it??

18:50 i don't think you addressed my situation. I got married after i was receiving my own ss benefits. My husband's benefit is higher. I started my benefit at 62 because i really needed it, i am now at FRA. Can i apply for spousal benefit and what am i entitled to?

Hi Dr. Weir, so glad to see your videos, so helpful. However, I am not sure how I should proceed at this time. Here is my scenario : I turned 62 in April. I decided to wait until my husband files. He turns 62 in July, and filed and was approved this week. My question, should I go ahead today and file on my own, where I will be drawing around $450 month until I can be added to his as a spousal later next month, in which I will be able to draw $1,000 month? In other words, can I start my application to get approved, then later this year be moved onto his spousal benefits? ( I heard that once you file, there are no re-do's, so that has me concerned.)

If my exspouse hasnt worked for like 5 years, will that effect the benefit?

Wait im confused, is divorced spouse benefit still available if im 62? My ex spouse is 63. Im on ssdi currently.

I own my own business. I am 67 years old. I do not draw my Social Security. I’m trying to sell my business. So would it be best for me to sell my business before I draw my Social Security?

Semper Fi, again (from former cpl Brown C1/5; F2/1 ‘Nam; B1/6 Med float, now retired in Tokyo). Great video presentation and info. I appreciate your videos and share them.

My higher earning spouse is filing soon at 63, almost 64, and I plan to file as well at 62.5. We both plan to file online. Can I file for the spousal benefit at this time, or should I wait until my spouse starts collecting her benefit until I file for the spousal benefit?

How he do these ????

Now I am 73

Oh please how can I reach you

Thank you Dr.weir for very useful information. I have one question.. according to government site.. if I claim SS at 62 I will receive $2600 per month, if I claim at my FRA at 67 it will be $3700. If I start claiming at 62 and my spouse who is 3 years younger than me , claims for spousal benefits when she becomes 62 will she get 37% of $3700 or $2600? Thanks.

Ed, good content. Thank you. I am a school teacher and will retire at the end of May 2025. My income for those few months will be less than the SS limit on earnings. My husband is retired and turned 64 this past April. I turned 65 this month (September 2024). My husband is going to wait until he is 67 for full SS benefits. Would it make sense for me to file to start receiving Social Security this coming January 2025 under my own benefits or spousal benefits? What would be the ramifications?

Is my rental property income effect my SS benefits? Thanks for your kindness

I’m 64, my ex in nursing home . I’m still working full time and don’t plan on retiring until 66. Can I apply for ex spouse ss and if so will that mess with mine when I retire?

Thanks for these wonderful information. I am filing for my ss retirement this coming September 24 age 66. Can my wife get benefit as well (age 50.) Can you clear this issue for me? Also my wife never worked before due to her health and taking care of 6 children

Dr. Weir, my wife passed at 64 before claiming SS. I retired at 61 (about 2 years prior to her passing and was receiving my pension benefits. I applied for and was awarded survivors benefits but the benefit was reduced to zero because (as it was explained) the amount I was receiving as a pension (city employee) was more than the awarded survivor benefit. I was made aware of the “offset” rule for government employees receiving a pension while also applying for a survivor benefit but I read from a SS publication that the offset does not apply if the government employee was contributing to SS prior to receiving their pension benefit. Can you clear this up for me? I’ve since submitted a “reconsideration” application but have not heard from SS.

Will IRRMA step in if FRA is reached and continue working but income does not go above $59,000?

Don’t change a thing - your information is invaluable to those who really need it! Thank you

Thank you for explaining that the SS office is simply “holding back” some benefits when people are working and go over the limit-that money will actually eventually be available to the individual. I think many people are still not clear about this.

Thank you for sharing your valuable knowledge sir.

Very helpful. Thank You!

Such great information!!! I’m learning so much that I wouldn’t even have thought to ask… 😅

1. do you consult for ss issues, or just medicare. 2. Is spouses SS or VA disability considered income when calculating the $22,320? 3. If spouse has demetia can he still apply for spousal SS from me (age 62 now) in addition to his regular ss?

❤🎉❤🎉 spouse died, skipped town, drifter, I get ssd got hurt by patient, took me 16 plus months of nightmare mail, and complying to be denied, ssd started age factor idk I tossed it, he got ssd from gm, and militarily and drugs I was a nurse, why can't I collect the back pay and his check that's smaller I need that back pay to move Help

Question: I filed at my FRA which was 11/2022. My wife will file at her FRA 02/2026 to draw 50% of my SS payment. I understand that will be my PIA at FRA but will there be COLA's included for that two year difference from when I filed to when she draws?

I'm not sure I understood correctly the point on both spouses receiving benefits as is my case when one of us dies. After watching both video's, I'm thinking the survivor in this case keeps their own benefit and in addition receives 70% or 82.5% of the deceased. Is this correct? I ask because one comment you made in part 1 sounded like it was either or. Keep our own or replace it with the survivor benefit. Can you clarify in your next video on this topic please?

If you were married over 10 years, they remarry and die, do you only qualify for anything if you never remarried? What if you've been on SS disability for many years and still are disabled? Does SSD change to regular Social Security retirement when you reach a certain age, though you are still disabled?

Your videos are very helpfull. I have heard that in 2024 the new social security rules for spouses will come into effect, and 1% of the benefit will be taken out of the 50% each year, until it reaches 33%. Is that correct? Thank you, Dr Ed.

Can you still receive 50 percent of your wife benefits when she dies even though you SSS benefits is higher than your wife

If my spouse decides to go back to work (and he is under FRA) and decides to pause their benefits, do my checks checks also go on pause? Thank You for all of your help.

great informatiom, doyou have office in new york?

What about divorced disabled spouse? Are there special rules?

Great videos on the spousal benefit topic. Question, if the lower income spouse has been collecting SSDI benefits($1K) , now higher income worker will start collecting SSDI benefits($4K). Is the lower income spouse entitled to spousal benefit? Both are on SSDI now and have not reached FRA.

I just applied for my social security benefit two months beyond my FRA (66.6). The Social Security officer told me that since my wife has high income (in fact, both of us do). She can't claim the spouse benefit vs my benefit, doesn't matter when she files for her own benefit (I guess my wife's benefit is higher than mine). Is this correct? Thanks

Did you answer my question about deceased spouse. Was married 14 yrs. Can I draw his S.S. He got remarried but she passed away too. Married in 1978-1992.

Hi Dr. Ed. Great videos. I am 70 and have started recieving my Benefits. My wife is 64 and earns 80K per year. One of my wife's friends has told her she can file on My benefits without being penalized for her salary until she reaches full retirement age. From what I have learned from your video, this sounds false. Is there any benefit available to her before she reaches full retirement age that we are missing out on. Thanks again

My husband is 62. I am 59. I am the high wage earner. I want to retire at 65. I am thinking of having him claim ssn now at 62. I believe he can only file for spousal benefits when i retire at 65 correct? If yes, when he files for spousal benefits. He will only get half of the percentage that i get correct?

I was married to my ex-wife for 16 years. After our divorce she remarried for 10 plus years. Her 2nd husband then died. In that time I filed and was approved for disability. She'll turn 62 soon. Do I have any entitlement to her benefits?

How does that work with spousal benefit I'll be 65 in jamruary. We were thinking that I might take spousal at 65 my full retirement is 67. I've been married for 48 years. Do I have a limit on mine because I was a stay at a home mom and watch my grandchildren So do I have a limit to get besides limit on my early I can get

I am not working but I take money from my IRA. Does that count against SSI? I'll be filing for widow benefits. I am 65.

My husband will draw at 62. When I turn 62 can I collect spousal benifits. When I turn 67 can I change to my own social security benifits.

So if i file for exspouse benefit, and if i decide to keep working, as i cant live on the benefit and the $22,000 , can i tell them to stop it until i retire at fra or 70??

When you are saying you can only make the 1860 a month the first year you are filing. Is gross earnings or net earnings??

Dr Weir, A long time friend married in 1998; divorces 2021(?). husband was on early ssa benefits. before divorcing he stopped ssa and went back to work. when he reaches FRA and resumes his benefits, IF she files divorce spouse, will she be considered to receive his early while they were married or high 35 lifetime amounts?

Hello Dr. Weir. I am and have been collecting SS. When my wife starts her SS can she file using her own record and then switch to spousal benefit later when she turns FRA? Can she switch to a spousal benefit at any time while collecting under her own benefit? Thanks.

One question, if I start taking my benefits at 62 and my husband waits till full retirement age, when I apply for spousal benefits, will I get half of his full retirement or half as if he started his benefits at 62 (because I took mine out at 62)

I was married for 18 years was forced to retire at 65 am I entitled to half of x husband SS

I am currently receiving survivor benefit at 63 yoa. When i become full retirement age can i switch to my own benefits? I would receive an increased amount.

I wish I could get spousal benefits. Despite being married 35 years, I can't unless I petition the court and prove we've been married for decades, despite us sharing a last name and child that entire time. They want a marriage certificate. Haven't seen it since bringing it to DMV to change my last name due to my only marriage. Petition the court due to saving $10 on a marriage license by choosing a confidential marriage license in California. Waste of time, everyone knows you're married, Filing Jointly with IRS, and yes, including Social Security. At age 70, I will only get $1400 a month Social Security from my own earnings but oh well. I doubt I would petition the court, I guess I'll sign up for Food Stamps at $26 a month and start getting those low income discounts such as Free Medicaid, $30 off internet, etc. The courts terrify me. Thanks for all your videos, you are amazing at the amount of knowledge you offer us.

If I'm a widow who was married in 2006 and my husband passed away in 2011 from Agent Orange can I apply for spousal benefits?

If I file for my spousal benefits. Will it affect my benefits?

So, I can be remarried and get my ex husband of 17 yrs social security?

My wife worked for the government and did not pay into social security. She is retiring this year and will collect a pension. Is she still eligible to collect a spousal benefit on my account ?

I am receiving survivors benefits from my ex-husband, who I was married to for 27 years. My question is, could I qualify for spouse benefits from him as well? Or are you only able to qualify for survivors benefits? (I am remarried and have been for 10 years.) This entire SS "thing" is confusing, and it's nice that you are trying to help us. Too bad that more info hasn't been available to us and we've had to stumble upon it. Thanks for what you're doing.

Why didn’t you cover benefits available to a spouse with no work record of their own??

Again very helpful since my Hubs turns 61 this year and is considering retiring next year.

Thank you so much I had no idea.

Thank you for the info

thanks

Thanks!

Hi Ed. So glad to have found your channel. I am 61 and my husband is 62. I still work fulltime .Would it be advantage to file for spousal benefit now? I am a little confused with the ex spouse . He is also 62. Since i remarried I can only file spousal benefit with my current spouse, right? And not my ex spouse? Thank you.

But now, they are saying you can take your ex spouses 1/2 of soc. security, however it will be that and not your own as well anymore, you either take theirs or yours, not both.