Will my husband's early Social Security filing reduce my SSDI conversion at FRA?

Same boat! was on SSDI for 10 yrs, husband filed at his FRA, I got small check too. When I hit FRA, I still got the upgrade to max spousal. The small check now doesn't lock you in!! You'll convert to retirement + get proper spousal topup based on 50% of his PIA minus your own benefit. Dont worry!

Oh thank goodness! That's such a relief to hear. So it sounds like the current $70 is just some kind of preliminary spousal benefit while I'm still on disability? I've been losing sleep over this!

wait im confused... are u on SSI or SSDI? big difference... SSI has different rules than disability. my cousin got SSI and when her husband filed it reduced her payment cause of household income limits

I'm definitely on SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance), not SSI. I worked over 25 years before my disability and have enough work credits for my own benefit. I know they have totally different rules - thanks for checking though!

ok good just checking! so many ppl mix those up and get wrong advice. good luck!

When you reach FRA, two things will happen: (1) Your SSDI will automatically convert to retirement benefits at the same amount, and (2) if 50% of your husband's PIA (Primary Insurance Amount) minus your own benefit is greater than the current small spousal benefit, you'll get the higher amount. The current $70 payment is a reduced spousal benefit because you're under FRA.For example, if your husband's PIA is $2,800, 50% would be $1,400. Subtract your $1,375 benefit, and you could receive up to $25 more at FRA, for a total spousal benefit of $95. The exact amount depends on your husband's precise PIA, which may be different from his monthly payment if he delayed benefits past FRA.

Wait, so I might only get $25 more instead of a few hundred dollars more? I thought I'd get up to 50% of his benefit minus my current SSDI amount. His PIA is actually higher than his payment because he had to take some months of retroactive benefits instead of delayed retirement credits.

I was just giving an example based on the numbers you provided. If your husband's actual PIA is higher than $2,800, then your potential spousal benefit would be higher. For instance, if his PIA is $3,500, then 50% would be $1,750, and subtracting your $1,375 would give a potential spousal benefit of $375. You should check your MySocialSecurity account or call SSA to get the exact numbers for your situation.

Has anyone actually called SSA about this stuff???? I've tried 12 TIMES this month to get answers about my spouse benefits and CANNOT get through!!! They keep disconnecting me after 1+ hour holds and the online account doesn't show the calculations AT ALL. The local office has NO appointments for 3 months!!!! I'm SO FRUSTRATED!!!!

I had the EXACT same problem last month trying to sort out a similar spousal benefit question. After five failed attempts calling SSA, I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got through to a rep in under 25 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU - it saved me days of frustration. They connected me directly to the same SSA line but somehow bypassed the wait.

OMG thank you!! I'm going to try that tomorrow. I'm losing my mind with these endless calls that go nowhere!

Just putting this out there - you might also try calling your local Congressional Representative's office. Mine has caseworkers who helped me with an SSA issue when I couldn't get through. They have special channels to contact government agencies. Worth a shot if you're still stuck.

I think there's an important distinction to clarify here: the spousal benefit you're receiving now while on SSDI is indeed different from what you'll receive at FRA. Here's why:1. Currently, while on SSDI, you can receive a spousal benefit if it's higher than your disability benefit, but it's reduced because you're under FRA.2. At FRA, your SSDI converts to retirement benefits, and the spousal calculation changes. You'll receive your own benefit plus the difference between that and 50% of your husband's PIA (if that amount is higher).The good news is that what's happening now doesn't lock you into anything for the future. The SSA will automatically recalculate at your FRA. The $70 is just a preliminary reduced amount.

Thank you so much for that clear explanation! That really helps me understand the distinction. I was so worried we'd made a permanent mistake. One last question - does this calculation happen automatically, or do I need to contact SSA when I reach FRA?

It should happen automatically, but it's always a good idea to contact SSA about 3 months before you reach FRA to confirm everything is in order. Sometimes things slip through the cracks in their system, and being proactive can prevent delays in getting your correct benefit amount.

My situation was EXACTLY like yours last year. I was on SSDI ($1,580) and my wife claimed at her FRA. I got a small spousal benefit ($45) while still on disability. When I hit FRA in October, my benefit automatically adjusted to include the proper spousal amount. The calculation was: 50% of my wife's PIA minus my own benefit amount = additional spousal benefit.SSA's computer systems handle this transition automatically. The initial small spousal benefit doesn't lock you in at all. Your worry is understandable but unnecessary! Just make sure both your earnings records are correct in the system.

That's such a relief to hear from someone who went through the same thing! You've really put my mind at ease. I'll double-check our earnings records just to be safe. Thanks!

my neighbor said that if u take any spousal benefits early it reduces ALL future benefits forever... she got caught by this and is really upset

That's not accurate for this situation. Your neighbor may be referring to filing for her own retirement benefits early, which does permanently reduce them. But in the OP's case, they're on SSDI, which doesn't involve an early filing reduction. At FRA, the SSDI converts to retirement at the full rate, and the spousal benefit is recalculated. The current small spousal supplement won't affect the FRA calculation.

oh ok that makes sense! social security rules r so confusing its no wonder everyone gets them mixed up.