How to switch wife from her SS benefits to higher spousal benefits after I filed?
I just filed for my Social Security retirement at 67 last week (finally hit my FRA). My wife has been collecting her own retirement benefits since she turned 62 about 5 years ago. Her benefit is pretty small - around $950/month since she worked part-time for many years. I know she'd qualify for a much higher spousal benefit based on my earnings (probably an extra $800-900 monthly!). I've been all over the MySocialSecurity website trying to find how to update her to the spousal benefit now that I've filed, but there's no obvious way to do this. Do I need to call SSA directly? Is there some online form I'm missing? Or does this happen automatically? I don't want her to miss out on the higher amount for any longer than necessary.
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Justin Trejo
It doesn't happen automatically - she needs to apply for spousal benefits. The MySocialSecurity site doesn't have a specific section for this. Your wife will need to call SSA directly at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local office to apply for spousal benefits. Make sure she mentions she's already receiving her own benefits and wants to apply for the higher spousal amount now that you've filed.
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Marina Hendrix
•Thanks for confirming. So frustrating they don't make this clearer on the website. I was hoping to avoid the phone nightmare. Last time we called about her Medicare it took 3+ hours!
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Alana Willis
my wife went thru this last yr... the increase isnt as much as you think. they dont just add the spousal on top. they do some weird calculation where she gets the higher of her benefit or up to 50% of yours. and since she took early at 62 theres a reduction. just warning you so you dont get disappointed
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Marina Hendrix
•Really? That's disappointing. I thought she'd get half of my benefit since mine is around $3,400. So you're saying she won't get $1,700? Did your wife's amount go up much?
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Tyler Murphy
•The previous comment is right - this tripped me up too! Your wife won't get her full benefit PLUS half of yours. She'll get the larger of either her own benefit OR up to 50% of yours. And since she claimed early at 62, that 50% is permanently reduced. The exact formula is complicated but basically her spousal benefit will be reduced by about 30% because she claimed at 62. Still worth doing though!
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Sara Unger
Just to clarify a few things: 1. Your wife can receive up to 50% of your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which is your benefit amount at your Full Retirement Age. 2. Since she took her benefits early at 62, her spousal benefit will be permanently reduced (roughly 30% reduction). 3. SSA will not pay the full spousal benefit on top of her own benefit. Instead, they'll pay her own benefit plus the "excess" spousal benefit (the difference between her reduced benefit and the reduced spousal amount). 4. This doesn't happen automatically - she needs to apply. Call the SSA or visit a local office. 5. When approved, the higher amount will be paid retroactive to the month you became entitled to your own benefits (assuming she applied within 6 months of your entitlement).
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Marina Hendrix
•Thank you for breaking this down so clearly. So basically, she'll get her current $950 plus whatever additional amount gets her to the reduced spousal benefit level? I think I understand now. We'll definitely still apply since any increase helps.
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Butch Sledgehammer
Have fun spending 4+ hours on hold with SSA trying to make this happen! Their phone system is a complete nightmare these days. I tried for TWO WEEKS to get through about my SSDI application and kept getting disconnected.
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Freya Ross
•I had the same problem trying to reach them about a benefit verification letter. After wasting days trying to get through, I finally used Claimyr.com and got connected to an agent in about 10 minutes. They basically wait on hold for you and call you when an agent picks up. Saved me so much frustration! They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU
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Marina Hendrix
•That's exactly what I'm dreading - more endless hold times. Thanks for mentioning this service, I'll check it out. At this point I'll try anything to avoid another day wasted on hold.
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Leslie Parker
quick question - has your own benefit been approved yet? my husband filed last yr but his application is still pending approval. ss told us my spousal increase cant be processed until his is approved first. just fyi
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Marina Hendrix
•That's a good point. Mine is still pending approval too. Application status just says "processing" so maybe we need to wait until mine is approved before she applies for the spousal?
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Justin Trejo
•Yes, your application needs to be approved first before your wife can receive spousal benefits based on your record. But she can start the application process now and specify that it's based on your pending application. That way everything is in the system and will process faster once yours is approved.
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Tyler Murphy
Just a heads up - I went through this exact same situation last year with my husband. The SSA actually gave us INCORRECT information twice over the phone about how much I would receive as a spousal benefit!!! The first rep said I'd get 50% of his full amount, the second one gave us a completely different figure. Neither was right! When the actual payments started, it was a different amount entirely. Make sure you get them to explain EXACTLY how they calculated whatever figure they give you. And take notes of every conversation with names and dates!!
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Marina Hendrix
•That's really concerning. Did you ever get a clear explanation of how they calculated the final amount? And was it higher than your own benefit?
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Tyler Murphy
•Yes, it was higher than my own but not by as much as we initially thought. They finally explained they took 50% of his PIA, reduced it because I claimed early, then subtracted my own benefit amount. So I get my benefit plus a small "excess spousal benefit" amount. It was worth doing but the process was super frustrating.
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Alana Willis
anybody know if she can do this online? my mom needs to do the same thing but shes in rural area cant get to office easily
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Sara Unger
•Unfortunately, spousal benefits can't be applied for online if you're already receiving your own benefits. She'll need to call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 or visit an office. If travel is difficult, your mom can schedule a phone appointment through the local office, which might be easier than trying to get through the main number.
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Marina Hendrix
Update: I called our local office this morning and got some answers. They confirmed my wife needs to call to apply for the spousal benefit. It won't be retroactive to when I applied unless she applies within 6 months of my benefit approval (not application date). And yes, the calculation is her benefit plus the difference to get her to the reduced spousal amount. Thanks everyone for your help with this!
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