Can I claim the difference between my SS benefits and 50% of my higher-earning spouse's Social Security?

Yes, you'll get the difference! Social Security will pay your own retirement benefit first, then add enough spousal benefits to bring you up to the 50% mark of your husband's PIA (Primary Insurance Amount). This is called the "excess spousal benefit." Just be aware that if you claim before your FRA (Full Retirement Age), both your own benefit AND the spousal portion will be reduced. For maximum benefit, wait until your FRA to claim. Also important: your husband needs to file for his benefits before you can collect spousal benefits (unless he files a restricted application, which is only available to people born before 1954).

my wife got this wrong advice from the SSA office!! she only worked 10 years and gets less than me. She filed at 62 thinking shed get the difference but they said NO because she already claimed her own. make sure you dont file for yours first!!!! talk to a different agent

This is a common question! The short answer is yes - you'll receive your own benefit plus the difference to bring you up to 50% of your husband's benefit (assuming you both file at your full retirement age). But there are important timing considerations: 1. Your husband must file for his benefits before you can receive spousal benefits 2. If either of you file early (before FRA), your benefits will be permanently reduced 3. The 50% spousal benefit is based on your husband's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which is what he'd get at his FRA, not what he actually receives if he files early or delays For example, if your husband claims at 62, he'll get a reduced benefit, but your spousal benefit would still be based on 50% of what he would have gotten at FRA (reduced if you claim early). The SSA has a good calculator on their website that can help you model different filing scenarios.

The 50% rule is confusing! What matters is WHEN you claim. My sister thought the same thing and got burned because she claimed at 62 - both her own and the spousal supplement were permanently reduced by like 30%! Wait until FRA if you can. Also, have you tried calling SS to check your specific situation? It took me days to get through to them last month.

your getting confused because theres 2 different things: spousal benefits (when both alive) and survivors benefits (when 1 spouse dies). survivors get 100% of deceased spouse but spousal only get 50% max while both alive. Just wanted to make sure you knew the difference.

This whole system is rigged against part-time workers and stay-at-home parents! The fact that you even have to ask this question shows how complicated they've made it. And I bet when you finally do apply they'll find some technicality to reduce what you're owed. My wife worked part-time for 25 years and the SSA STILL messed up her spousal calculation. We had to appeal TWICE to get it fixed!!!

Just to add one more important detail: The "deemed filing" rules changed in 2015. For anyone born after January 1, 1954, when you file for either your retirement or spousal benefit, you are "deemed" to have filed for both. This eliminated some filing strategies that older retirees could use. In your case, when you file, the SSA will automatically give you the higher of either your own benefit or the spousal benefit. But since your own benefit is less than 50% of your husband's, you'll receive your own benefit plus the difference to reach that 50% threshold (assuming you both file at FRA).