Will my SSDI-to-retirement benefits qualify for spousal top-up at FRA?

You're on the right track! For spousal benefits, you need to be receiving less than 50% of your husband's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) at his full retirement age. The fact that your SSDI is converting to retirement doesn't change the calculation. Since your benefit is $2,150 and his is $3,200, you need to determine if your benefit is less than 50% of his PIA (not necessarily his current payment). If his PIA is more than $4,300, you might qualify for a small spousal top-up. The SSA won't automatically add this - you should contact them to verify and apply if eligible.

The SSA is so confusing with all this!!! I went through something similar last year and spent WEEKS trying to figure it out. It's not 50% of what he currently gets but 50% of his FULL benefit at his FRA. So if he took early retirement his actual checks might be lower than his PIA. You HAVE TO call them because they DON'T automatically add the spousal benefit even if you're entitled!!!! I missed out on 8 months of extra money because nobody told me I had to apply separately!

my wife got the spousal topup when i started collecting. they dont make it easy to figure out tho. good luck getting through on the phone took us 3 days of calling

Here's the exact formula you need to understand: The spousal benefit is the greater of your own benefit or up to 50% of your spouse's PIA (Primary Insurance Amount) at their FRA. Since you're already getting $2,150, you would only receive additional spousal benefits if 50% of your husband's PIA exceeds $2,150. For example: - If your husband's PIA is $4,000, then 50% would be $2,000, which is less than your current $2,150, so no spousal benefits. - If his PIA is $4,500, then 50% would be $2,250, so you'd get a $100 spousal top-up. Remember: The PIA is different from what he actually receives. If he claimed early, his checks are reduced, but that doesn't affect the PIA used for your spousal calculation. Likewise, if he delayed past FRA for increased benefits, the PIA used for your calculation doesn't include those delay credits. You absolutely must apply for the spousal benefit - it's not automatic. Call SSA or visit your local office with both of your Social Security numbers, marriage certificate, and benefit information.

I tried calling SS for weeks about a similar question and could never get through. Ended up using this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual person at SSA in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. Saved me so much frustration after being on hold forever and getting disconnected multiple times.

Congrats on reaching FRA! When my SSDI converted last year, nothing really changed except they started calling it retirement. The whole spousal benefit thing is so confusing though.

One additional point worth mentioning: When you contact SSA about potential spousal benefits, ask them to check if you'd benefit from a different filing strategy. In some cases, especially with SSDI conversion scenarios, there might be advantages to filing a restricted application for spousal benefits only (if you were born before January 2, 1954). This probably doesn't apply in your case since you're already receiving your own benefit, but it never hurts to have them verify all possibilities.

I was in your exact situation last year. After 12 years on SSDI, mine converted to retirement at FRA. I had to physically go to the SS office (after trying to call for weeks) to sort out the spousal benefit question. Turns out I was eligible for about $175 extra per month as a spousal top-up. Make sure you bring your marriage certificate when you go - they required the original, not a copy. Also bring both your and your husband's SSNs and any recent benefit statements if you have them.

WAIT! Make sure you check if this affects your Medicare premiums!! When my SSDI switched to retirement AND I got the spousal top-up, it pushed my income just enough to move me into a higher IRMAA bracket for Medicare premiums. My Part B premium went up by like $65/month which ate up most of my spousal increase! No one warned me about this!!

my wife had same question last yr. turns out she got extra $212/month from spousal when we worked it all out. but took forever to get straight answer from ssa.

To directly answer your original question: yes, you have the basic concept correct. You need to be receiving less than 50% of your husband's PIA at his FRA to qualify for a spousal top-up, and he needs to be collecting his own benefits (which he is). The next step is determining if your $2,150 benefit is less than 50% of his PIA. This may require contacting SSA directly as others have suggested.