How do spousal benefits work?

Published: October 23, 2024

Full question: I am 62 (January 1962) and my spouse is 69 (March 1955). I am still working and doing quite well (>175K per year). She has not started withdrawing her SS yet. How is her portion determined on my SS when I have not retired yet? Is she better off receiving the 130.67% at age 70 or would she be better off getting the 50% of mine?

Hi there,

A spouse is eligible to collect spousal benefits only if the other spouse has started collecting retirement benefits, and the first spouse’s retirement benefit is less than the spousal benefit.

The maximum spousal benefit is 50% of the other spouse’s primary insurance amount, PIA, the amount they would collect at their full retirement age, FRA. You can learn more here.

You may also benefit from working with an RSSA to optimize your combined benefits as a couple while also maximizing survivor benefits.

Best of luck,
Martha

 

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