Can I Collect My Husband's Social Security and My Own?
The short answer is that you can only collect one or the other: your own Social Security benefit or half of your spouse's benefit. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you understand the details.
Spousal Benefits
Under certain conditions, you can indeed collect a spousal benefit from your husband’s Social Security earnings. However, there are limitations and conditions that apply.
Can I Collect Both Benefits?
As of now, the law does not permit collecting both your own Social Security benefit and your spouse's. If your own benefit is less than half of your spouse's benefit at full retirement age, you can collect the difference to top up your benefit, but this doesn’t result in more money overall. There are no additional delayed retirement credits in this scenario.
Example Scenario
Suppose your spouse is receiving $1400 per month, and your own benefit is $800 per month. If your own benefit is less than half of your spouse's, you could receive an additional benefit to bring your total to $1100 per month ($800 $300). This means you effectively get your own benefit and a spousal benefit, but the total benefit remains the same as just collecting your own benefit.
Maximum Benefits Allowed
You can only claim a maximum benefit amount, either your own benefit or 50% of your spouse’s benefit, whichever is larger. This is a crucial point to consider when deciding which benefit to collect.
Survivors Benefits
If your spouse passes away and you haven't remarried, you can continue to collect your own benefit and, if it is less, the difference to bring you up to the higher amount. To claim the survivors benefits, you must apply. This is important to note as it is not an automatic process.
Ex-Spouse Benefits
If you were married for at least 10 years and your ex-husband is eligible for Social Security, you can collect either your own benefit or half of his. It’s a personal decision, and you should evaluate both options to make the best choice. If your own benefit is equal to his, you would typically choose your own to maintain the same amount of income.
Remarriage and Benefits
If you remarried after receiving benefits from your ex-husband, you might lose out on his benefits. However, if he dies, you can continue to collect his survivor’s benefit as long as he was entitled to receive it and you have not remarried.
Understanding the Benefits Better
When considering your Social Security benefits, it’s important to evaluate your own earnings record and compare it to your spouse's. If you earned more than half of your spouse's benefit at full retirement age, you would not be eligible for a spousal benefit.
To get a clearer picture, you can calculate your benefits using the SSA’s Personal Planner tool. This tool can help you estimate the amount you might receive based on your earnings record and the age you choose to start collecting benefits.
For detailed planning, it’s advisable to work with a financial advisor or consult with a Social Security representative.
Conclusion
The rules regarding collecting your own Social Security benefit and a spousal benefit from your husband can be complex. However, understanding the options and conditions can help you make informed decisions that maximize your benefits.
Key takeaways:
You can only collect one benefit: your own or half of your spouse's. Spousal benefits add to your own only if your own benefit is less than half of your spouse's. No delayed retirement credits apply in this scenario. Survivors benefits are available if your spouse has passed and you have not remarried.By carefully considering your options, you can ensure you receive the full benefit to which you are entitled.