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Great question. If you're approved for ex-spousal benefits when applying for retirement, any additional amount would start from your entitlement date - usually the month after you apply for benefits. However, if you're already receiving your own retirement benefits and later apply for ex-spousal benefits, SSA can provide up to 6 months of retroactive benefits (but not going back further than your full retirement age).In the original poster's case, since she's applying for both at roughly the same time at age 70, the benefits would start together from her application date with no significant retroactive payment likely.
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Something important to remember about Social Security benefits - they're recalculated annually for COLA (Cost of Living Adjustments). For 2025, the COLA will likely be around 2.5-3.0% based on current inflation trends. This means both of your benefits will increase automatically each year. While your benefit structure is already optimized based on what everyone has explained, you'll still see those yearly increases that help (somewhat) with rising costs.
Those COLAs are a JOKE compared to how much prices are actually going up!!! My grocery bill has doubled but my SS check only went up a tiny bit. They use some ridiculous formula that doesn't reflect REAL expenses for seniors. Just another way they shortchange us after we've worked our whole lives!!
My parents had similar ages to you guys! Dad was much older than mom too. When he passed at 92, mom did get his higher benefit as a survivor. But in your case it sounds like you'd just keep your own since it's higher anyway. The SS rules are so confusing sometimes! Glad you asked about this.
I'm sorry about your dad. Thank you for sharing your parents' experience - that helps me understand the survivor benefits better. You're right that the rules are confusing! I'm grateful for all the explanations here.
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One important correction to my earlier response: When I mentioned that you'd likely receive about $3,200 in survivor benefits based on your husband's record, that assumes he would have reached his full retirement age. If he passes before reaching his FRA, the survivor benefit would be reduced. Also, regarding returning to work: The 2025 SGA limit is $1,550/month for non-blind individuals as another commenter mentioned. However, there are work incentives like Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE) that might help you deduct certain costs related to your disability from your earnings calculation. Given your specific situation with rheumatoid arthritis and potential return to work, I would strongly recommend scheduling an appointment with an SSA Claims Specialist to discuss your options in detail. These consultations are free and can help you make the best decisions for your situation.
Thank you for the correction and additional information. I'll look into the IRWE deductions - that could be very relevant in my case since I have significant expenses related to my condition. I'm definitely going to schedule that appointment with a Claims Specialist. It sounds like there are a lot of nuances to my situation that would benefit from personalized advice.
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Update: We submitted the SSA-521 form yesterday! Thank you everyone for your advice. The rep we spoke with initially tried to tell us we couldn't withdraw after FRA, but we politely asked to speak with a technical expert and showed them the regulation numbers that were mentioned here. The technical expert confirmed we're within our rights to withdraw within the 12-month window regardless of FRA status. Now we're just waiting for the repayment letter so we know exactly how much to send back. I'll update again once everything is processed!
Good job being persistent! That's exactly the right approach - politely escalate when you know the rules. Please do update us on how it goes. Make sure to keep copies of EVERYTHING, including certified mail receipts if you mail the payment.
Will do! And yes, we're creating a folder with copies of everything. The technical expert said we should receive the repayment letter within 2-3 weeks, and then the reapplication should be processed within 30 days after they receive our repayment. Fingers crossed it all goes smoothly from here.
Jake Sinclair
My mother in law got TOTALLY screwed by SS on this exact thing!!! She retired in March and started benefits in April but did some part time work in October. They counted ALL her income for the year and reduced her benefits AND made her pay back money!!! The system is rigged against us seniors!!!!
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Demi Lagos
•That's not actually Social Security being unfair - those are just the rules of the monthly earnings test. If you work even one month after starting benefits in your first year of retirement, the grace period (monthly test) no longer applies, and they have to use the annual test instead. It's important for everyone to understand this rule to avoid unexpected consequences.
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Mason Lopez
btw when does ur husband reach full retirement age? cuz the earnings limit goes way up in the year he reaches FRA and then goes away completely the month he hits FRA
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Saanvi Krishnaswami
•He's only 63 now, so his FRA is 67. We've got 4 more years of dealing with the earnings limits. But at least now I understand how it works! Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice!
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