Can I get Social Security spousal benefits at 62 if my disabled husband is on SSDI?

I think you'd need to claim your own benefits first. The SSA doesn't let people just take spousal only anymore - that changed back in 2015 with that big law. Plus your husband is getting DISABILITY not retirement so I don't think spousal even works the same way with that?? They make everything so complicated!!

There are several things to consider here: 1. Yes, you can collect spousal benefits based on your husband's SSDI record when you turn 62, even though he's only 61. Since he's receiving SSDI, his disability benefit is treated the same as if he were receiving retirement benefits for spousal benefit purposes. 2. However, due to the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, you cannot file for ONLY spousal benefits while letting your own retirement benefit grow. This "restricted application" option is no longer available for people born after January 1, 1954. 3. When you apply at 62, you'll be deemed to be filing for both your own retirement and spousal benefits, and you'll essentially receive the higher of the two amounts. 4. Your spousal benefit would be reduced for early filing (you'd get approximately 32.5% less than the full 50% you'd receive at your FRA). 5. If your own benefit is less than your reduced spousal benefit, you'll receive your own benefit plus the difference to equal the spousal amount.

Just wanted to add that you should definitely run the numbers both ways. Sometimes it actually makes financial sense to claim early, even with the reduction. If you live to your early 80s, waiting until FRA usually wins out mathematically. But if you need the income now or have health concerns, claiming at 62 might make sense. Also, when your husband reaches his FRA, his SSDI automatically converts to regular retirement benefits (same amount), but that won't affect your spousal benefits at all.

Has anybody else tried to call SSA to ask these kinds of questions? I WAITED FOR 4 HOURS last week and then got disconnected!!! Their phone system is a complete joke.

To answer your follow-up question - there could definitely be an advantage to waiting until your FRA, depending on your specific numbers: 1. At 62, your own benefit would be reduced to about 70% of your FRA amount 2. At 62, your spousal benefit would be reduced to about 32.5% of your husband's PIA (instead of the full 50%) If your own benefit at FRA would be more than your reduced spousal benefit at 62, waiting until FRA could mean thousands more over your lifetime. The SSA can give you these specific numbers based on your earnings record.

my husband is on SSI not SSDI and i was told i cant get any spousal benefits at all!! is that different? why do disability people get different rules its so UNFAIR

Thank you all for this incredibly helpful information! I've decided to schedule an appointment with SSA to go through my specific numbers before making a decision. Based on your advice, I'll ask about: 1. The exact amount I'd receive at 62 vs. FRA for both my retirement and spousal benefits 2. How the deemed filing would work in my case 3. The long-term impact of taking reduced benefits now vs. waiting It sounds like there's no way to just take spousal and let my own grow (which is what I was hoping for), but I need to understand the exact numbers before deciding. I'll try that Claimyr service to avoid the phone wait nightmare!