Finding husband's PIA amount on Social Security website to compare benefits - where to look?

You won't find the PIA listed directly on the MySocialSecurity website. It's frustrating, I know! The only way I found mine was calling SSA directly. I spent 3 hours on hold last month just to get this exact information. It's ridiculous they don't just display it clearly online when it's such an important number for planning!

Oh no, that's what I was afraid of! 3 hours on hold sounds absolutely dreadful. Did they at least give you the information easily once you finally got through to someone?

The PIA isn't directly shown on the MySocialSecurity portal, which is a common frustration. What you're seeing is his current benefit amount, which could include COLAs since his filing date.You have three options:1. Call the SSA at 1-800-772-12132. Visit your local field office (make an appointment first)3. Look at his original award letter from 2018 if you still have it, which should list the PIAIf you're comparing for spousal benefits, remember you're entitled to up to 50% of his PIA if that exceeds your own benefit at your FRA.

Thank you so much for this clear explanation! We've looked everywhere for his original award letter but can't find it after our move last year. Sounds like calling is our best option.

Dont waste ur time looking online, they hide that info deliberately lol. My wife and me went thru same thing last year. Pia is NOT the same as benefit amount cause of all the cost of living increases over the years. Pio wont show up anywhere in ur acct.

That's what I was beginning to suspect! It seems like such basic information that should be readily available. It's frustrating they make it so difficult to access your own information.

I just went through this exact situation last month. The PIA isn't visible on the website, but there's a faster way than waiting on hold forever.Try using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to reach an agent quickly. They have a service that helps you skip the phone wait times with Social Security. I was connected to an agent in about 15 minutes instead of the usual hours-long wait. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puUThe agent I spoke with was able to tell me both my PIA and my husband's PIA, which made comparing our benefits much easier. Especially important because we have similar earnings histories and I needed to decide if spousal would be better for me.

Thank you for this tip! I've never heard of this service before. 15 minutes sounds much better than 3+ hours. I'll check out that video. Did you find the information they gave you helpful for making your decision?

Why is the SSA website SO TERRIBLE?? It's 2025 and they still can't show us the most basic information we need for retirement planning! I had to get my PIA by driving to my local office and waiting 2.5 hours to speak to someone. RIDICULOUS. They should be embarrassed by their systems.

Totally agree! My sister works for a private insurance company and says their systems from the 1990s are more user-friendly than SSA's \

Just wondering - have you checked any old paperwork? My hubby found his PIA listed on the statement SSA mailed to him when he first filed. We keep everything in a big folder. Might save you a phone call if you have it somewhere!

That's a good suggestion. We've been searching through our files but haven't found anything from 2018. We moved last year and I'm afraid some paperwork may have been misplaced in the process. I've learned my lesson about keeping better track of important documents!

One more thing to consider: if you're trying to determine whether to take spousal benefits or your own retirement, you should request your own benefit estimate as well. Remember that for spousal benefits:1. Maximum spousal benefit is 50% of your husband's PIA2. You must be at least 62 to collect (with reduction if before your FRA)3. If your own benefit is higher than 50% of his PIA, you'll get your own benefit instead4. Taking reduced retirement benefits early can permanently affect spousal benefitsA proper comparison requires knowing both PIA values.

Thank you for this additional information! I do have access to my own PIA through my SSA account since I haven't filed yet. My FRA is 67, and I'm trying to decide whether to file at 65 on my own record or wait until 67 to maximize either my own or spousal benefits. This is why I need his PIA to make calculations.

i was in the same boat last year! ended up printing all the screens from my hubbys account and bringing them to local office. the lady there laughed and said \

That's actually a great idea - our local office might be less crowded than the ones in the city. Maybe I'll try making an appointment there instead of dealing with the phone system. Thanks for sharing what worked for you!