can spouse switch to spousal benefits

Can I file for my social security at 62 and switch to spousal benefits later?

Only if your spouse is not yet receiving retirement benefits. 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. Again, Social Security will pay the greater of the two benefit amounts.

How couples can maximize social security benefits?

You can expect the following when applying for Social Security spousal benefits: To make the most of your spousal Social Security benefit, it can be helpful to be aware of the amount you might be ...

Can a spouse get half retirement and alimony if?

Your ex-wife can receive Social Security retirement benefits based on your payment record if you were married for at least 10 years. Collecting alimony will offset the Social Security benefits, but she is still eligible to file on your record as long as she is not remarried and is at least 62 years old.

Can a spouse Sue a spouse for spending marital?

A spouse may choose to sue the other spouse for assault or battery, for example. Marital Privileges Another layer of complexity involved in marital lawsuits is that a spouse may be unable to testify against the other spouse, making it more difficult for him or her to prove the claim.

Can my wife take her 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.

Can I switch to spousal benefits?

You may be able to start with your spousal benefit even if your spouse is receiving a reduced retirement benefit. The age 66 and birth date requirements are only for the spouse who could start with the spousal benefit and then switch to their retirement benefit. This strategy is known as restricted application.

When can a spouse start receiving spousal benefits?

age 62You 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.

What are the rules for spousal benefits of Social Security?

A spouse can choose to retire as early as age 62, but doing so may result in a benefit as little as 32.5 percent of the worker's primary insurance amount. A spousal benefit is reduced 25/36 of one percent for each month before normal retirement age, up to 36 months.

How do I change my spouse's Social Security benefits?

Form SSA-2 | Information You Need to Apply for Spouse's or Divorced Spouse's Benefits. You can apply: Online, if you are within 3 months of age 62 or older, or. By calling our national toll-free service at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visiting your local Social Security office.

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.

How long do you have to be married to collect spousal benefits?

one continuous yearHow long does someone have to be married to collect Social Security spouse benefits? To receive a spouse benefit, you generally must have been married for at least one continuous year to the retired or disabled worker on whose earnings record you are claiming benefits. There are narrow exceptions to the one-year rule.

Does a wife get 50 of husband's Social Security?

You can receive up to 50% of your spouse's Social Security benefit. You can apply for benefits if you have been married for at least one year. If you have been divorced for at least two years, you can apply if the marriage lasted 10 or more years.

Can I collect my husband's Social Security if he is still alive?

The earliest a widow or widower can start receiving Social Security survivors benefits based on age will remain at age 60. Widows or widowers benefits based on age can start any time between age 60 and full retirement age as a survivor.

What Are Social Security Spousal Benefits?

Social Security spousal benefits are retirement benefits paid by the Social Security Administration to the spouse of a primary beneficiary. When Social Security started, many women did not work outside the home.

Who Qualifies For Social Security Spousal Benefits?

There are a few eligibility criteria that must be met to qualify for spousal benefits. Here are the basics, and then we will dive into a few exceptions to the basic rules. First, your spouse must already have filed for his or her own benefits. You cannot apply for spousal benefits until your spouse has already applied for their own benefits.

When Can A Spouse Claim Social Security Spousal Benefits?

A spouse can claim Social Security spousal benefits as early as age 62, as long as the other spouse has already applied for benefits. You cannot claim benefits until your spouse has claimed benefits using their own record. This rule applies to both a current spouse and a divorced spouse.

How Social Security Spousal Benefits Are Calculated

The calculation for spousal benefits is fairly straightforward. If you wait until full retirement age, then your benefit will be 50% of the spouse’s benefit amount. However, starting your benefits early will reduce your monthly payment.

Social Security Spousal Benefits For Divorced & Widowed Spouses

When it comes to retirement planning, many divorced and widowed spouses wonder whether they can still receive spousal benefits. The answer depends on a few different facts. Here are the rules you need to know when it comes to divorced or widowed spouses receiving spousal benefits.

Maximizing Spousal Benefits For Divorced & Widowed Spouses

Now that most of the spousal benefit loopholes have been closed, there are not as many strategies for maximizing your spousal benefits. One of the biggest tips for maximizing your benefits now is to wait as long as possible to start your benefits.

The Bottom Line

A spouse can claim spousal benefits at age 62 as long as the primary spouse has already applied for benefits. The age requirement can be waived if the spouse is caring for a child under 16 or a disabled child. An ex-spouse can claim spousal benefits at age 62 as well, as long as the marriage lasted for ten years.

What happens if my spouse has already filed for spousal support?

If your spouse has already filed, you will automatically receive the larger of your own or the spousal benefit. If your spouse has not filed yet but you have, when your spouse files, the deemed filing rules come into play.

What is deemed filing for Social Security?

Deemed Filing Rules. When you file for your Social Security retirement benefits you are deemed to be filing for both your own benefit and a spousal benefit, and you will be given the higher of the two. 3 .

How old do you have to be to claim spousal benefits?

To claim a spousal benefit based on an ex-spouse's earnings record, your ex-spouse has to be 62 and eligible for benefits, but there is no requirement that they must have already filed for benefits. 1 . To claim a spousal benefit based on your current spouse's earnings record, your current spouse must have filed for their own benefits already ...

How much is $2,100/2?

Take the older spouse's PIA divided by 2, minus the younger spouse's PIA. $2,100/2 = $1,050 - $800 = $250.

How old do you have to be to apply for a restricted pension?

Widows and widowers can use a restricted application at any time age 60 or older, but if you are not a widow or widower you can only restrict your application if:

Do you file for spousal or own Social Security?

When you file for your Social Security retirement benefits you are deemed to be filing for both your own benefit and a spousal benefit, and you will be given the higher of the two. 3 

Can a spouse file for spousal benefits?

There used to be a strategy for married couples called " file and suspend " where one spouse would file but immediately suspend their benefits, which allowed the other spouse to file for spousal benefits. However, this strategy is no longer available. Due to Social Security laws that were passed in November 2015 anyone who suspends benefits after April 30, 2016, will end up suspending all benefits based on their record — which means a spouse cannot collect spousal benefits during a time when their spouse has "suspended" benefits. 3 

How to calculate unreduced spousal rate?

If you qualify for divorced spousal benefits in addition to your own benefit, your unreduced divorced spousal rate would be calculated by subtracting your PIA from 50% of your ex's PIA. However, if your entitlement to divorced spousal benefits starts before you reach full retirement age (FRA), your divorced spousal rate will also be reduced for age.

How long can you get retroactive Social Security?

Hi Emmet, You could elect to receive up to six months of retroactive benefits when you apply for your Social Security retirement benefits, but you couldn't voluntarily suspend your benefits any sooner than the month after the month you make your request.

When does Social Security start paying?

If you voluntarily suspend your benefits between full retirement age (FRA) and 70, Social Security will automatically start paying your benefits for the month you reach 70 unless you ask to reinstate them before then.

Can my wife get spousal benefits?

Your wife will only qualify for an excess spousal benefit if 50% of your primary insurance amount (PIA) is higher than her own PIA, and she can't qualify for spousal benefits at least until you start drawing your benefits. A person's PIA is equal to their Social Security retirement benefit rate if they start drawing their benefits ...

Can you suspend your unemployment benefits after 70?

Benefits can't be voluntarily suspended beyond 70 because you cannot earn delayed retirement credits (DRCs) for months after the month you reach age 70. Once benefits are suspended, the earliest that they can be reinstated is for the month following the month that you request reinstatement.

Can my wife switch from spousal to retirement?

Just to clarify, though, your wife can't "switch" from drawing her own retirement benefits to drawing spousal benefits instead. What she would be applying for is a partial, or excess, spousal benefit to be paid in addition to her retirement benefit. Your wife will only qualify for an excess spousal benefit if 50% of your primary insurance amount ...

Who is Larry Kotlikoff?

Larry Kotlikoff is a Professor of Economics at Boston University and the founder and president of Economic Security Planning, Inc, which markets Maximize My Social Security and MaxiFi Planner. See more Ask Larry answers here.

What happens if you take your reduced retirement first?

If you took your reduced retirement first while waiting for your spouse to reach retirement age, when you add spouse’s benefits later, your own retirement portion remains reduced which causes the total retirement and spouses benefit together to total less than 50 percent of the worker’s amount. You can find out more on our website.

What is the maximum survivor benefit?

The retirement insurance benefit limit is the maximum survivor benefit you may receive. Generally, the limit is the higher of: The reduced monthly retirement benefit to which the deceased spouse would have been entitled if they had lived, or.

How much of my spouse's retirement is my full benefit?

Your full spouse’s benefit could be up to 50 percent of your spouse’s full retirement age amount if you are full retirement age when you take it. If you qualify for your own retirement benefit and a spouse’s benefit, we always pay your own benefit first. You cannot receive spouse’s benefits unless your spouse is receiving his or her retirement ...

What does it mean to have a partner?

Having a partner means sharing many things including a home and other property. Understanding how your future retirement might affect your spouse is important. When you’re planning for your fun and vibrant golden years, here are a few things to remember:

Can my spouse's survivor benefit be reduced?

On the other hand, if your spouse’s retirement benefit is higher than your retirement benefit, and he or she chooses to take reduced benefits and dies first, your survivor benefit will be reduced, but may be higher than what your spouse received.

What is the reduction factor for spousal benefits?

For a spouse who is not entitled to benefits on his or her own earnings record, this reduction factor is applied to the base spousal benefit, which is 50 percent of the worker's primary insurance amount. For example, if the worker's primary insurance amount is $1,600 and the worker's spouse chooses to begin receiving benefits 36 months ...

How much is spousal benefit?

The spousal benefit can be as much as half of the worker's " primary insurance amount ," depending on the spouse's age at retirement. If the spouse begins receiving benefits before " normal (or full) retirement age ," the spouse will receive a reduced benefit. However, if a spouse is caring for a qualifying child, the spousal benefit is not reduced.

What age do you have to be to file for retirement?

Another requirement is that the spouse must be at least age 62 or have a qualifying child in her/his care.

Can a spouse reduce their spousal benefit?

However, if a spouse is caring for a qualifying child, the spousal benefit is not reduced. If a spouse is eligible for a retirement benefit based on his or her own earnings, and if that benefit is higher than the spousal benefit, then we pay the retirement benefit. Otherwise we pay the spousal benefit. Compute the effect of early retirement ...

What happens if your spouse's retirement benefits are higher than your own?

If your benefits as a spouse are higher than your own retirement benefits, you will get a combination of benefits equaling the higher spouse benefit. Here is an example: Mary Ann qualifies for a retirement benefit of $250 and a spouse’s benefit of $400.

When will my spouse receive my full retirement?

You will receive your full spouse’s benefit amount if you wait until you reach full retirement age to begin receiving benefits. You will also receive the full amount if you are caring for a child entitled to receive benefits on your spouse’s record who is younger than age 16 or disabled.

How old do you have to be to apply for retirement?

If you are at least 62 years of age and you wish to apply for retirement or spouse’s benefits, you can use our online retirement application to apply for one or both benefits.

How old do you have to be to get spouse's Social Security?

To qualify for spouse’s benefits, you must be one of these: At least 62 years of age.

What is a SEP for health insurance?

An SEP lets you enroll in health coverage outside of the annual open enrollment period. Under specific circumstances, you may qualify to switch to your spouse’s health insurance during an SEP.

What happens when a spouse loses Medicaid?

When a spouse loses Medicaid eligibility, is no longer eligible for coverage under a state Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or becomes eligible for premium assistance for group health insurance under those programs

How long does it take to change your spouse's insurance?

Additionally, if your employer offers you a QSEHRA or an ICHRA, this triggers a special enrollment period (SEP), giving you 60 days from the time you are offered the HRA to change to your spouse's individual insurance family plan.

Why is it important to review all potential costs involved in switching insurance policies?

It’s important to review all potential costs involved in switching insurance policies because additional fees could cancel out any potential savings. Picking the best option can take some research, so it’s critical to take your time so you can make the right decision for you and your family.

Can a spouse be enrolled in a group health insurance policy before they can participate in the HRA?

If you’re switching from group health insurance to a qualified small employer health reimbursement arrangement (QSEHRA) or an individual coverage HRA (ICHRA), your spouse must be enrolled in an individual or family policy before they can participate in the HRA on a tax-free basis.

When does open enrollment start?

Most organizations run their coverage with the calendar year. Open enrollment generally begins in November for coverage beginning January 1. Be sure to check that you and your spouse’s plans follow the same plan year with the same start date for changes made during open enrollment to avoid a gap in coverage.

Spousal Benefits For Spouses Versus Ex-Spouses

Deemed Filing Rules

Excess Spousal Or Supplemental Spousal Benefit

• Normally a spousal benefit is 50% of the spouse's FRA benefit amount, reduced if the spouse claiming the spousal benefit is filing for benefits early.7 If one spouse is already receiving their own benefits, and later becomes eligible for a spousal benefit, there is a formula that is used to determine what amount of spousal benefit (if any) they ma...

See more on thebalance.com

Further Resources