Collecting spousal benefits on husband's record while on SSDI - options at age 65?
I've been receiving Social Security Disability (SSDI) for about 6 years now after a severe back injury. My husband just reached his Full Retirement Age (66 and 10 months) last month and filed for his retirement benefits. I'm currently 65 and wondering what options I have regarding spousal benefits. Am I stuck just receiving my own SSDI payment forever? My monthly disability check is around $1,750, and his retirement benefit is approximately $2,900. Would I qualify for any additional amount based on his record? I've tried calling the SSA three times this week but keep getting disconnected after being on hold for 45+ minutes. Thanks for any help explaining how this works!
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Chris Elmeda
Yes, you can potentially get spousal benefits even while on SSDI! The rule is that you can receive whichever is higher - your own benefit or up to 50% of your husband's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). Since your SSDI is $1,750 and half of his benefit would be around $1,450, you'd continue getting your own SSDI payment since it's higher. However, when you reach your own Full Retirement Age, your SSDI automatically converts to regular retirement benefits at the same amount. At that point, nothing really changes payment-wise unless your husband passes away, when you'd potentially qualify for survivor benefits equal to 100% of his amount.
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Annabel Kimball
•Thank you! So even though his benefit is much higher than mine, I don't get anything extra because my SSDI is already more than half of his benefit? That makes sense but is disappointing. If something happened to him, would I really get his full $2,900 instead of my $1,750?
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Jean Claude
My husband started geting his SS last year and I been on dissability since 2016... they told me I cant get ANYTHING from his record because I already get SSDI!!! The whole system is RIGGED against disabled people!!!! They never explain anything right and every person tells you something different. I spent 3 weeks trying to get answers and got nowhere. Its all about who you talk to and if they feel like helping you that day.
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Chris Elmeda
•That's actually not correct - disabled spouses CAN receive spousal benefits in addition to their SSDI if 50% of their spouse's benefit is greater than their own SSDI amount. In this case, the original poster wouldn't get additional benefits because her SSDI is already higher than 50% of her husband's benefit, but many disabled people DO qualify for spousal benefits. It depends entirely on the benefit amounts.
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Charity Cohan
I was in almost the exact situation last year. Been on disability since a car accident in 2019, husband reached FRA and started his benefits. I called SSA and they did the math - since my SSDI was less than half his benefit, they added a spousal supplement to my monthly payment. Definitely worth checking into.
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Annabel Kimball
•Thank you for sharing your experience! Did they calculate everything automatically once you called, or did you need to officially apply for the spousal benefit? I'm trying to figure out if I need to submit any paperwork or if they just review our records when I contact them.
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Josef Tearle
My wife got disability and I retired 3 years back. We found out she could get a small extra amount from my record but we had to actually apply for it. They don't just automatic add it! But sounds like your not gonna get anything extra since your disability is already more than half his amount.
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Annabel Kimball
•Thanks for the info! So there is an actual application process. I'll still check with SSA directly, even though it sounds like I probably won't qualify for any additional amount.
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Shelby Bauman
After trying to call SSA for weeks about a similar situation, I found this service called Claimyr that got me through to a real person at Social Security in under 10 minutes! Was totally worth it after spending hours on hold getting nowhere. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU - their website is claimyr.com. Saved me so much frustration, especially since I needed specific info about my disability and spousal benefit options.
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Annabel Kimball
•That sounds interesting - I've been so frustrated with the phone system. I'll check out that video. At this point I just need to talk to someone who can look at our specific records and give me a definitive answer.
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Quinn Herbert
There's a few important technical points that might help you understand your situation better: 1) The maximum spousal benefit is 50% of your husband's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which is actually the benefit he would receive at exactly his FRA, not necessarily what he's currently receiving if he delayed past FRA. 2) When you reach your FRA, your SSDI automatically converts to retirement benefits at the same amount. 3) If your husband predeceases you, you would be eligible for widow's benefits, which would be up to 100% of what he was receiving (including any delayed retirement credits). 4) There is no special "application" needed in your case since you're already receiving SSDI. The SSA should automatically evaluate your eligibility for additional spousal benefits when your husband filed for his retirement. Based on the numbers you provided, it sounds like you wouldn't qualify for additional spousal benefits since your own SSDI exceeds 50% of your husband's PIA.
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Annabel Kimball
•Thank you for this detailed explanation! This makes things much clearer. It sounds like I'll just continue receiving my current benefit, but it's good to know about the potential survivor benefits if something happens to my husband.
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Salim Nasir
My sister went through this exact thing!!!! She was on disability and thought she would get half her husbands benefit when he retired but she only got a tiny bit extra because her disability was almost as much as half his benefit already. The whole thing is so confusing and no one explains it right. They should just give everyone the higher amount no matter what!
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Chris Elmeda
•The system is definitely complicated, but there is some logic to it. You get your own benefit that you earned through your work history OR up to 50% of your spouse's benefit - whichever is higher. They don't stack completely, but you do get the higher of the two options.
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Josef Tearle
dont 4get about medicare!! at 65 you need to sign up for that even if your on disabilty. its different from disabilty medicare and you could get penaltys if you dont signup at 65!!
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Quinn Herbert
•That's not quite accurate. If you're already on Medicare due to SSDI (which happens automatically after 24 months of SSDI eligibility), you don't need to do anything when you turn 65. Your Medicare continues seamlessly, and you won't face any penalties. The only change might be if you want to adjust your supplemental coverage options.
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Annabel Kimball
Thank you all for your helpful responses! I've learned a lot and understand the situation much better now. It looks like I'll continue receiving my current SSDI benefit since it's higher than the spousal benefit I'd be eligible for. I'm going to try the Claimyr service to get through to SSA to confirm everything and make sure there's nothing else I need to know about how my benefits will change when I reach my own FRA. I appreciate everyone taking the time to share your knowledge and experiences!
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