General Question

paulie60's avatar

When my wife files for ss at 62 will she get half of my SSD?

Asked by paulie60 (4points) January 14th, 2014

I’am gettingSSD, will my get half of that when she files for ss at62

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5 Answers

Wealthadvisor's avatar

Your wife will get her benefit based on her income levels during the years she worked. It has nothing to do with your SSD. Once you turn 65, your SSD will convert to a regular Social Security benefit.

If you die first, your wife will get either her benefit or your benefit, whichever is higher. If your wife dies first, then you either can get her benefit or keep your benefit, whichever is higher. You can not collect both once one spouse has died.

JLeslie's avatar

Spouses get somewhere between ⅓ to ½ of their breadwinning spouse’s SS, or they get their own SS if they had worked 40 quarters themselves. She will get whichever number is higher, not both. What I don’t know is if you (the breadwinner) has to be retirement age for her to collect her half of yours, or if her age is the only thing necessary to meet the requirement for her to start receiving a check. Why not call social security or go down to an office. I have called social security for my FIL and they were very helpful.

YARNLADY's avatar

The eligible spouse gets an amount equal to one half of the benefits, but the other benefits stays the same. Her half does not come out of your half, but is in addition to your benefits.

JLeslie's avatar

@YARNLADY is right, you still get your whole amount and your spouse gets what is equal to half (I thought sometimes it isnless, but maybe I am wrong) of your enitled amount. So if you are entitled to $2000 a month, and you both start collecting, you will get a check for $2000 nd she will get one for $1000. So, your household will be receiving $3000. But, if she earned her own money for at least 40 quarters and is entitled to her own social security and that is $1500, then you would get your $2000 and she would get $1500. She gets whichever number is higher between what she is entitled to.

Wealthadvisor's avatar

@YARNLADY is correct if your wife has never worked. Then the benefits are calculated this way.
If your spouse is under full retirement age and qualifies on his or her own record, we will pay that amount first. But if he or she also qualifies for a higher amount as a spouse, they’ll get a combination of benefits that equals that higher amount. If he or she begins receiving benefits:

http://www.ssa.gov/retire2/yourspouse.htm#a0=0

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