Will spouse's Social Security benefit increase after my PIA recalculation with Delayed Retirement Credits?

Yes, your husband's benefit SHOULD increase based on your higher PIA. The 50% spousal benefit is calculated on your Primary Insurance Amount, not including your Delayed Retirement Credits. But when your PIA itself increases (as opposed to just getting DRCs), that new PIA amount should be the basis for his spousal benefit. You're absolutely right to question this. Call SSA back and specifically ask them to review his spousal benefit calculation based on your updated PIA. There's often a lag in these recalculations, but it shouldn't be happening if they've already processed your increase.

same thing happened with me and my wife! took nearly 4 months for her spousal benefit to reflect my new PIA after they recalculated mine. SSA systems dont automatically update dependent benefits when the primary worker's PIA changes - its a separate process. be patient but keep checking your husband's MySocialSecurity account... it'll probably update eventually without you doing anything.

The issue here is likely a timing problem in SSA's processing systems. Your PIA increase should absolutely affect your husband's spousal benefit - but there's often a lag in the system. When I worked through something similar, I found it helpful to: 1. Request a PEBES (benefit calculation statement) showing your updated PIA 2. Have your husband request a new benefit calculation specifically citing your updated PIA 3. If needed, file for a reconsideration of the benefit amount Don't just wait - there's no guarantee their system will catch this automatically.

Your husband's benefit won't change. Once spousal benefits are calculated, they're fixed regardless of future changes to your PIA. That's just how the system works. The only increases he'll get now are the annual COLAs.

I've spent HOURS trying to get through to anyone at Social Security who actually understands these calculations!!! The phone wait times are INSANE and then half the time they just give wrong information. I had a similar issue with my husband's spousal benefits and it took 3 separate calls to finally get someone who knew what they were talking about. Have you tried using Claimyr? I found it on claimyr.com and it saved me so much frustration. They connect you directly with SSA and cut the wait time. You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU - seriously wish I'd known about it months ago. They got me through to an agent who actually fixed our benefit issue.

I'm just wondering why your PIA increased at all? My understanding is that delayed retirement credits aren't part of your PIA calculation - they're added on after. So your PIA shouldn't have changed, just your monthly benefit amount increased by the DRCs. Maybe there was an earnings recalculation too?

my wife got her increase automatically but it took like 2-3 months after my benefit changed. just wait it out, they'll fix it eventually. the computer systems at ssa are from like the 1980s lol

OMG they are SO SLOW with EVERYTHING. i think they prioritize retirement applications over adjustments like yours. my neighbor waited 6 months for a simple name change to process!!!! the whole system is falling apart. and don't even get me started on their website randomly going down for "maintenance

For clarity, let me explain exactly what should happen: 1. Your PIA increased from $2,650 to $2,735 2. Your husband is entitled to 50% of your PIA at his FRA 3. His benefit should increase from $1,325 to $1,367.50 If you call SSA, specifically request a "recomputation of benefits for auxiliaries based on updated PIA" - using this terminology may help the representative understand exactly what you're asking for.

I went through this exact situation last year! My husband's spousal benefit didn't update automatically when my PIA increased either. Here's what worked for me: Call SSA and ask to speak with a claims specialist (not just the general customer service rep). Tell them you need a "manual recomputation of auxiliary benefits due to updated worker PIA." I had to be very specific about this language. Also, make sure you have your benefit verification letter showing your new PIA amount ready when you call - they'll likely ask for the exact numbers. In my case, it took about 3 weeks after that call for my husband's payment to reflect the increase, and he got back pay for the months it should have been higher. Don't let them tell you it's automatic - sometimes it is, but clearly yours isn't updating on its own. You're absolutely entitled to have his benefit recalculated based on your higher PIA.

As someone new to navigating Social Security benefits, this thread has been incredibly educational! I'm not quite at retirement age yet, but my parents are dealing with similar issues and I've been trying to help them understand their benefits. From what I'm reading here, it seems like the key takeaway is that when a worker's actual PIA increases (not just from DRCs), the spouse's benefit should automatically recalculate to 50% of that new PIA amount. But the "automatic" part clearly doesn't always work as intended! Jessica's advice about asking for a "claims specialist" and using specific terminology like "manual recomputation of auxiliary benefits due to updated worker PIA" sounds like the most actionable approach. It's frustrating that you have to know the exact bureaucratic language to get proper service, but that seems to be reality with SSA. Lauren, I hope you get this resolved quickly! Please update us on how the call goes - this information could help other community members facing the same situation.