Does Social Security automatically apply spousal benefits when my wife files at age 70?

Yes, SSA will automatically calculate if she's eligible for the spousal benefit and give her whichever is higher - her own benefit or the spousal amount (which would be up to 50% of your Primary Insurance Amount). Since you both waited until 70, the calculation is pretty straightforward. The system does this comparison automatically once they have both your records linked, which happened when she entered your SSN on her application.Since she's applying at 70, she'll get her own retirement benefit with all delayed retirement credits, PLUS any additional amount if the spousal benefit is higher. The good news is you don't need to do anything else - the system handles this calculation.

Thank you! That's a relief to hear. I was worried we'd have to contact them specifically about it, which seems impossible lately. So to be clear, if her own benefit works out to $1,800 and the spousal benefit would be $2,200, she'll automatically get the $2,200 without further action?

my wife jus went thru this last year. they do it automatic but took almost 3 months 4 her to get the right payment amount. first payment was just her own benefit then they adjusted it later with backpay. make sure u check her account online to see whats happening

Same thing happened with my sister! She got her regular benefit for two months before they added the spousal portion. SS is always behind on everything.

I don't think this is right! When I applied they told me I had to specifically REQUEST the spousal benefit by phone or in person at the SSA office. The online system DOESN'T do it automatically. My husband and I found this out the hard way and lost 6 months of higher payments because nobody told us!!!! You should definitely call them directly to make sure she's getting everything she's entitled to. Don't trust the system to do the right thing.

That information isn't correct for current applications. The Social Security system was updated in 2018 to automatically calculate and apply the higher benefit when both SSNs are linked in the application. You might have applied before this system change or had a unique situation. For standard retirement applications today, when one spouse provides the other's SSN during application, the comparison is automatic.

Maybe you're right. We applied back in 2017 so things could have changed. Still think they should CALL just to be sure though!!!

Just went through this with my wife last month. The system DOES check automatically, but here's what happens - she'll get her own benefit first while they process the

If you're worried about this process, I'd recommend trying to speak with an SSA representative directly. Like most people here, I've had terrible luck getting through on the 800 number (hours of waiting only to get disconnected). I actually used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) last month when dealing with my wife's application issues. They got me connected to an agent in about 20 minutes instead of waiting for hours. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puUThe agent confirmed that yes, the system does automatically calculate the spousal benefit when you provide both SSNs in the application. But getting confirmation directly from SSA gave me peace of mind.

Thanks for this suggestion! After reading conflicting experiences here, speaking directly with SSA might be the best option. I'll check out that service - anything to avoid the endless phone waits.

The deemed filing rules make this automatic, but there's a critical distinction you need to understand. At age 70:1. Your wife will receive her own retirement benefit plus all delayed retirement credits (32% increase over her FRA amount)2. If 50% of your Primary Insurance Amount (your benefit at FRA, not your age 70 amount) is higher than her own benefit BEFORE her delayed credits, she'll get a combination to equal the higher amountBut it's important to note: if her own benefit with delayed credits exceeds the spousal amount, she just gets her own larger benefit. The system will calculate this automatically.Since you're both 70, this is straightforward. The confusion arises for people claiming before FRA when the rules are more complex.

This is exactly right. And to add one more detail - the \

Got it, that makes sense. So she'll either get her own benefit with delayed credits OR the spousal benefit amount (whichever is higher), but not both combined. That clarifies things, thank you!

wat about retroactive benefits??? at 70 cant they claim 6 months backpay?? thats wat we did

Yes, you're absolutely right about retroactive benefits. When applying after Full Retirement Age (FRA), Social Security allows for up to 6 months of retroactive benefits. However, this reduces the delayed retirement credits accordingly. At age 70, this is usually a good option since those 6 months of immediate backpay often outweigh the small permanent reduction to the monthly amount.

I didn't even think about retroactive benefits! I'll make sure she asks about this during the application process. That could help make up for some of the money we left on the table by not having her file for spousal benefits earlier.

Don't you just love how confusing they make all this? My husband and I went through so many headaches trying to figure out the whole spousal benefit thing. Eventually it worked out but took like 3 months of back and forth. Good luck!

WAIT! Nobody's mentioned the most important thing here! If your wife hasn't worked for 35 years (like many women her age), those zero years DRASTICALLY reduce her own benefit amount. Make sure she gets her earnings record from SSA to check if this applies to her situation!!! This could make the spousal benefit MUCH more valuable in comparison!!!

That's a good point about the 35-year calculation. For anyone unfamiliar, Social Security uses your highest 35 years of earnings (indexed for inflation) to calculate benefits. Years with no earnings count as zeros in this calculation. This is why the spousal benefit is particularly important for those who spent time out of the workforce or had lower earnings for significant periods.