Can my SSDI be topped up with spousal benefits and is my SSDI amount my PIA at FRA?

Yes, you can potentially receive a spousal benefit in addition to your SSDI, but only if your spousal benefit would be higher than your disability benefit. And yes, your SSDI amount is indeed your PIA (Primary Insurance Amount). Here's how it works: If 50% of your husband's PIA is greater than 100% of your own PIA (your current SSDI payment), you can receive the difference as a spousal benefit "top-up." For example, if your monthly SSDI is $1,200 and your husband's PIA is $3,000, then 50% of his would be $1,500. You could receive your $1,200 SSDI plus an additional $300 as a spousal benefit to bring your total to $1,500. Regarding timing: Yes, your husband must file for his retirement benefits before you can receive a spousal benefit based on his record, even if you're already on SSDI.

my sister got this spousal thing on her dissability. its confusing but she gets like $200 extra i think. the annoying part is her husband had to be collecting his SS first before she could get it. they made her wait even tho she was already on SSDI for like 6 yrs!

I've been through this exact situation! The answers above are correct - your SSDI benefit IS your PIA, and yes, you can get a spousal top-up if 50% of your husband's PIA exceeds your own PIA. But here's something important nobody mentioned: when your husband files for his benefits will impact when you can get the spousal portion. If he waits until 70 to maximize his benefits, you'll have to wait too - even though your spousal amount is based on his PIA, not his actual benefit amount. This is one of those weird SSA rules that drives people crazy. Some couples decide the spouse should file earlier than planned so the disabled spouse can get their top-up sooner. It's a real financial calculation to consider.

CALL SSA AND ASK FOR A BENEFIT CALCULATION!!! Don't rely on internet strangers for this important decision! My brother got bad advice online and it cost him thousands in benefits he could have received.

I think your confusing survivor benefits with spousal. There different things. From what i know the spousal benefit is only available when you reach retirement age not when on dissability.

One thing to keep in mind - make sure you understand the implications for Medicare. When my wife got her SSDI topped up with spousal benefits, it somehow messed up her automatic Medicare premium deduction and we got a surprise bill. Just something to watch out for if/when you do get the spousal addition.

To directly answer your questions: 1. Yes, your SSDI benefit amount is your PIA (Primary Insurance Amount) 2. Yes, you can receive a "top-up" spousal benefit but only if 50% of your husband's PIA exceeds your own PIA 3. Yes, your husband must file for his own benefits before you can receive any spousal benefits, even though you're on SSDI If your husband delays until 70, you won't be able to receive any spousal benefits until he files. This creates a dilemma for many couples - maximize one spouse's benefit by delaying, or file earlier so the disabled spouse can receive the spousal portion sooner. I recommend scheduling an appointment with SSA to get benefit estimates based on different filing scenarios. This will help you make the best decision for your specific situation.

One more thing - when you do reach your full retirement age, nothing really changes with your benefit. Your SSDI simply converts to retirement benefits automatically, but the amount stays exactly the same. The only difference is that after FRA, the earnings limits no longer apply if you were to work.