Can my mom qualify for higher SS benefits from dad's record? Current gap: $2800 vs $900 monthly
Hello everyone, I'm trying to navigate the Social Security system for my parents who are getting older (both 76). Recently started managing their finances and discovered what seems like a big disparity in their benefits. My dad receives about $2800 monthly from Social Security while my mom only gets $900. She had to claim early because dad was out of work for several months due to a serious health issue back when they were in their early 60s. They've been married for 55 years and still going strong, but their combined income with dad's pension just isn't covering expenses well anymore. I'm wondering if mom qualifies for any additional benefits based on dad's higher benefit amount? I've heard something about spousal benefits but don't understand if that applies when both are already receiving benefits. Any advice would be greatly appreciated - really want to help them have a more comfortable retirement without constant financial stress.
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Victoria Stark
Yes, your mom might be eligible for higher benefits! As a spouse, she can potentially receive up to 50% of your dad's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). Since they're both well past Full Retirement Age (FRA), she should contact SSA to see if she qualifies for a spousal adjustment. Her benefit amount suggests she might have claimed around 62-63, which would have permanently reduced her benefit by about 25-30%. However, the good news is that if her spousal benefit would be higher than her own reduced retirement benefit, SSA will pay the difference as a supplement.
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Hassan Khoury
•Thank you so much for this information! So even though she's already receiving her own benefit, she might still qualify for additional money each month? Would that bring her closer to $1400 (50% of dad's)? And should she call or visit a local office to request this? I'm worried about the long phone wait times I've heard about.
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Benjamin Kim
Your mom is getting ROBBED by the system!!! I went through this EXACT same thing with my parents. SSA never bothers to tell people when they qualify for more money - they just let seniors struggle while sitting on their potential benefits. My dad was getting $2500 and my mom only $750 for YEARS before we figured it out. The backpay was a JOKE - only 6 months despite YEARS of underpayment! Tell your mom to demand what she deserves when she calls!!!
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Samantha Howard
•my mom had similar situation but she only got 3 months backpay when they fixed it. better than nothing i guess but feels unfair
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Megan D'Acosta
This is a classic case where your mother might benefit from what's called a "spousal adjustment." Since your parents are both 76, they've passed their Full Retirement Age (66 for their birth cohort). The SSA should automatically have evaluated her for the higher benefit, but mistakes happen. Here's what I suggest: 1. Verify her current benefit is based solely on her own work record 2. If she filed early at 62, her benefit would be about 75% of her full benefit 3. As a spouse, she's eligible for up to 50% of your father's Primary Insurance Amount (not necessarily his current payment) If her spousal benefit would exceed her current payment, SSA will pay her own benefit plus the difference to reach the higher amount. I recommend calling SSA directly to inquire about this.
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Sarah Ali
•I had a hard time reaching someone at SSA about my spousal benefits situation last month. After days of trying, I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to a live agent in under 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU - seriously saved me hours of frustration and waiting. The agent I spoke with was able to adjust my benefits and explain everything clearly.
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Ryan Vasquez
wait so if your married you can get your own ss plus your spouses?? i thought you just got whichever was highest?? my wife an i are only 58 so we got time but now im confused
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Megan D'Acosta
•Not exactly. You receive your own benefit OR up to 50% of your spouse's benefit, whichever is higher - not both. However, if your own benefit is lower than the spousal benefit, SSA pays your benefit plus the difference to reach the higher amount. It appears as one payment but is technically a combination. This only applies if the spousal benefit (up to 50% of your spouse's PIA) exceeds your own retirement benefit.
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Avery Saint
Sometimes with cases like this there are issues with the earnings record too. My aunt had a similar benefit disparity, and it turned out that some of her work history from the 1970s wasn't properly recorded. Might be worth asking SSA to verify your mom's earnings record is complete too while you're at it!
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Hassan Khoury
•That's a really good point I hadn't considered! She did work part-time for about 15 years while we were growing up, mostly at a small local business. I'll definitely ask about her earnings record when we contact SSA. Thank you!
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Victoria Stark
To answer your question about whether this would bring her closer to $1400 - it depends on your dad's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which is not the same as his current benefit. PIA is the amount he would receive at exactly his Full Retirement Age, before any increases for delayed filing. If your dad waited until 70 to file, his PIA might be closer to $2200, making her potential spousal benefit around $1100. But yes, in most cases, this would be a significant increase from $900. As for contacting SSA, a scheduled appointment at your local office is usually best for complex benefit adjustments like this. Bring both their IDs, SSNs, and any current benefit verification letters if you have them.
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Hassan Khoury
•This is so helpful, thank you! My dad did wait until about 69 to claim, so that makes sense. I'll try to schedule an in-person appointment. I think having this conversation face-to-face will be easier than trying to understand all the details over the phone.
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Samantha Howard
they shoulda signed ur mom up for this automatically! my parents had this exact problem and we found out they were owed like $300 more a month for years! definitely call them and see whats going on
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Benjamin Kim
•EXACTLY!! The SSA hopes we don't notice these things. They NEVER voluntarily give people the money they deserve. It's a disgrace how they treat seniors who worked their whole lives!!
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Megan D'Acosta
Just to clarify something important - if your mother receives an adjustment, she may be entitled to some retroactive benefits, but it's typically limited to 6 months of back payments. This is standard policy for benefit adjustments, even if the eligibility existed for years. Also, keep in mind that increasing her benefit won't affect your father's payment in any way. One last tip: When you speak with SSA, specifically ask about the "spousal adjustment due to higher PIA of spouse" to ensure the representative understands exactly what you're inquiring about.
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Hassan Khoury
•Thank you for this specific advice! I'll definitely use that exact phrasing when we talk to them. Even 6 months of back payments would help, though it's frustrating to think she might have been receiving less than entitled to for years. I appreciate all the helpful information everyone's provided - feeling much more prepared to help my parents navigate this now.
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