SSA Spousal Benefits: What to Ask and Know Before Applying?

I just went through this last month! Here's what you need to know: • Make sure you're eligible - you need to be at least 62 or caring for a child under 16 • Your spouse needs to be receiving retirement or disability benefits • The max you can get is 50% of your spouse's full retirement amount • If you claim before your full retirement age, your benefit will be reduced • You can't get spousal benefits if your own retirement benefit would be higher Definitely ask about how your work history might affect things. And don't forget to bring all your documents - marriage certificate, birth certificate, SSN, etc. Good luck!

Just a heads up, the rules can get complicated if either of you have been married before. Make sure to mention any previous marriages when you talk to them.

I found a way to actually get someone on the phone! I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Here's a video about it: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU

dont forget to ask about the earnings test if your still working. it can really mess up your benefits if you make too much

Has anyone had experience with applying online vs. in person? I'm trying to decide which way to go.

Pro tip: if you're close to full retirement age, sometimes it's better to claim your own benefits first and then switch to spousal benefits later. Ask about this strategy!

ugh why does the government make everything so complicated? 🙄 good luck OP, hope you figure it out!

Another thing to keep in mind - if you're divorced, you might still be eligible for spousal benefits on your ex-spouse's record even if they've remarried! The marriage has to have lasted at least 10 years and you need to be unmarried currently. It's called "divorced spouse benefits" and a lot of people don't know about it. Definitely worth asking about if it applies to your situation.