Question re Social Security benefits - Page 2

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

i tried to do this very same thing. I called SS and was advised that my SS was higher than half of his, so no extra money was due to me.

If I survive my spouse, I can collect the 100% total amount he receives.

So, if your SS is more than half of his....forget about it.

You can call the SS and they will check for you.

Puppy Lips · ‎05-09-2010

So then are you collecting yours AND half of your husbands?

Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else. Margaret Mead

Sage04 · ‎07-10-2011

@sandy53 wrote:
When I reached my full retirement age (65.5) I started collecting spousal benefits (half of my DH's amount, he's still alive). I will switch to my own benefit amount this summer when I turn 70. These spousal benefits are only available to those born in 1953 and before, if I remember correctly. I just got in since I was born in 1953.

I seriously doubt you could go back and re-do things in your situation, but a call to your SS office sounds like something you should do. SS is complicated and there is a lot of misinformation or lack of information on boards like this.

@sandy53 just last night I was reading about the different between spousal and surivors benefits.

deeva · ‎03-09-2010

@Puppy Lips

No. You get one or the other.

depglass · ‎03-10-2010

No you do give up your own, that's true in the event of his death also.

Sage04 · ‎07-10-2011

@Carmie wrote:
i tried to do this very same thing. I called SS and was advised that my SS was higher than half of his, so no extra money was due to me.

If I survive my spouse, I can collect the 100% total amount he receives.

So, if your SS is more than half of his....forget about it.

You can call the SS and they will check for you.

@Carmie this is true.

SharkE · ‎08-19-2010

my husband waited till he was 70. Then he died at 71

I'm getting it now.

Sage04 · ‎07-10-2011

@Puppy Lips wrote:
So then are you collecting yours AND half of your husbands?

@Puppy Lips no, there is only one amount.

Some people have never worked but their spouse did. Once the working spouse starts collecting, then the non working spouse could collect half of his according to the age. One thing though, it won't affect the amount the working spouse gets.

Sage04 · ‎07-10-2011

Someone I know is waiting patiently for her ex husband to retire so that she can collect half of his benefits. They were married for about 13 years and she does not have enough credits on her own.

He refuses to collect and is still working at 71.

Sage04 · ‎07-10-2011

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
@depglass Has your husband passed away? If so, they you can get some of his SS Income but I was not aware that you could do that if the spouse was still living....I will be interested to see the replies.

@Mom2Dogs she will be collecting spousal benefits.