Will my husband's $80k income affect my Social Security if I claim at 62?

Good news! The earnings test only applies to YOUR earnings, not your household income or your husband's earnings. Since you're doing volunteer work with no income, your husband's $80k salary won't affect your Social Security benefits under the earnings test. However, there are two other things to consider: 1. Taxation - up to 85% of your Social Security benefits might be taxable depending on your combined income. Since you file jointly and your husband makes $80k, some portion of your benefits will likely be subject to income tax. 2. Early filing reduction - By claiming at 62 instead of your Full Retirement Age (probably 67), your benefit will be permanently reduced by about 30%. This reduction stays even after you reach FRA. If you don't need the money right now, you might want to consider waiting until your FRA to maximize your benefit amount.

Congrats on your volunteer work! My mom runs a community garden program too. When I claimed SS early my wife was still working and it was fine. They dont care what ur spouse makes for the earnings limit, just YOU. But ya the tax thing is different they look at joint income for that part.

The earnings test ONLY applies to the person receiving benefits, not their spouse. Since you have zero earnings from your volunteer work, you won't have any benefit reductions under the earnings test. However, regarding taxation of benefits: - For joint filers, if your combined income (AGI + nontaxable interest + 1/2 of SS benefits) exceeds $32,000, up to 50% of your benefits may be taxable - If combined income exceeds $44,000, up to 85% of your benefits may be taxable With your husband earning $80k, you'll likely hit the 85% taxation threshold. This doesn't mean you lose 85% of your benefits - it means up to 85% of your benefits are included in your taxable income, then taxed at your regular tax rate. Remember that claiming at 62 means a permanent ~30% reduction compared to your Full Retirement Age benefit. This reduction remains even after your husband retires.

The person asking about spousal benefits raises a good point. As the lower-earning spouse, you might be eligible for spousal benefits when your husband files for his retirement benefits. If you claim your own benefits at 62 and later qualify for higher spousal benefits when your husband files, your total benefit would be your reduced retirement benefit plus the difference to bring you up to the spousal benefit level (up to 50% of your husband's full retirement age benefit if you wait until your FRA to claim spousal). However, if you claim spousal benefits before your FRA, they're also permanently reduced. The optimal strategy depends on your specific earnings records and life expectancy considerations.

I was in almost the exact same situation last year! My husband was making around $75k and I was deciding whether to claim at 62. I spent WEEKS trying to get through to SSA on the phone to ask these exact questions. After dozens of failed attempts, I discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com) - it got me connected to a real SSA agent in about 15 minutes! The agent confirmed what others here said - my husband's income didn't affect my earnings limit, but it did push me into having about 85% of my benefit amount subject to income tax. They also ran calculations showing different claiming scenarios for me. Check out their demo: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Totally worth it to get personalized answers about your specific situation rather than general advice.

everyone here is forgetting about medicare premiums!!!! if your joint income is over certain amount they charge you WAY more for medicare part b when you get on at 65. its called IRMAA and its a HUGE extra cost nobody talks about!!!!!

wait i thought if u do volunteer work for your own charity that could count as work even if u dont get paid?? my uncle had some issue with this with his foundation i think

This is all so CONFUSING!! I've been trying to figure this stuff out for my mom who's 61 and the rules make NO sense! So if the OP waits till her FRA doesnt the tax thing go away completely? I thought once you hit full retirement age they stop caring about the earnings limit??? Thats what the SS lady told us but maybe I misunderstood...

Thank you ALL for the helpful information! I'm definitely leaning toward waiting until at least 65 or maybe my full retirement age of 67 before claiming. Since my husband will still be working and we'd hit that 85% taxable threshold, it makes more sense to wait and get the higher monthly amount. I think I'll try to schedule an appointment with SSA to go over my specific numbers and options. I'll check out that phone service someone mentioned if I can't get through on the regular line. One last question - if I wait until my husband retires at 67 and then we both claim at the same time, would that be the most advantageous approach? Or should one of us claim before the other?