Social Security - Spousal

Question 0

To get the maximal spousal benefit when must the spouse begin benefits?

Answer 0

At their FRA

Question 1

What is the maximum spousal benefit?

Answer 1

50% of the Primary’s full retirement benefit at their FRA

Question 2

Can a spouse increase their spousal benefit by delaying past their FRA?

Answer 2

No. There is no advantage to delays starting spousal benefits past the spouses FRA

Question 3

With regard to spousal benefits, how does the age at which the BW claims benefits impact the size of the spousal benefit?

Answer 3

It has no impact. Only the age at which the spouse claims their spousal benefit matters. If the spouse waits until their FRA to claim, they will get 50% of the BW’s PIA regardless of when the BW claimed their benefit.

Question 4

What is the minimum age for claiming a spousal benefit if spouse is caring for a dependent child?

Answer 4

There is no minimum age. Spouse can claim anytime, as long as primary has claimed their benefit.

Question 5

What happens to the spousal benefit claimed on the basis of a having a dependent child once the child reaches age 16? What happens to the child’s benefit?

Answer 5

The spouses benefit stops, and can’t be reclaimed until she/he reaches age 62.

The child’s benefit continues until they are 18, or 19 if still in school and not married.

Question 6

What do studies show with regard to claiming strategies for couples with a wide age disparity?

Why?

Answer 6

Maximizing LTBs results from BW claiming as late as possible and the spouse claiming as early as possible (typically 70 and 62 respectively).

The reason is the same as why someone with a prolonged LE waits as long as possible to claim their benefit. When the primary dies, his or full benefit will be claimed by the younger spouse, who is statistically likely to live much longer. Therefore, the larger benefit is extended over a much longer period.

Question 7

What is “Claim now, Claim More Later”

Answer 7

Once you reach your FRA, you file for your retirement benefit, and then select your own or a spousal benefit (prior to FRA, SSA automatically gives you the larger of your own or the spousal benefit).

Under CNCML, a spouse claims a spousal benefit at FRA, allowing their benefit to continue growing due to delayed retirement credits. They later claim their own maximized benefit (typically at age 70).

Question 8

If a spouse less than 62 claims a spousal benefit on the basis of raising a dependent child, the benefit ends when the child reaches 16. Can the spouse reclaim a benefit later?

Answer 8

Yes, starting at age 62. They can still maximize by delaying up to their FRA. The reclaimed benefit is not impacted or diminished by having claimed earlier on the basis of having a dependent child.

Question 9

T or F - A 2013 Supreme Court decision struck down the definition of a spouse as a person of opposite sex, and SSA is now paying spousal benefits to gay couples, assuming they were married in a state that permits same sex marriage.

Answer 9

True, but there are still questions regarding which marriages will be recognized. Gay couples should file if they are ready to start benefits while the SSA is working out these questions.

Question 10

How does claiming a spousal benefit on the basis of having a dependent child impact reclaiming at age 62 or later?

Answer 10

It has no impact.

Question 11

T or F - Prior to FRA, if you apply claim SS, SSA automatically gives the larger of the spousal benefit, or your own?

Answer 11

True (assumes BW has filed).

Question 12

With regard to eligibility for spousal benefits, which of the following does the SSA recognize?

Traditional marriage (recognized religious or civil ceremony)

Common law marriage, if recogniZed by the state in which the couple resides

Same sex union of any kind

Answer 12

Traditional - Yes

Common Law - Yes, but only if
recognized by the state of residence.

Same Sex - No

Other Alternative Unions - No

Question 13

If a spouse files and claims benefits prior to their FRA, then SSA automatically give them the larger of the spousal benefit or their own benefit. What is different after the spouse turns FRA?

Answer 13

If the spouse files at FRA, he or she can choose the benefit they want. This is used in CNCML, where the spouse takes a spousal benefit at FRA, and then allows their own benefit to accumulate delayed retirement credits, and then claim it later (typically age 70).

Question 14

Regardless of the age at which the spouse attempts to claim (minimum of 62 y/o, unless caring for dependent child, in which case there is no minimum age), what must the primary have done first?

Answer 14

The primary must have filed for benefits (either filed and claimed, or filed and suspended).

Question 15

Which of the following is not true about benefits for a divorced spouse:

1. To be eligible, must have been married 10+ years
2. Spouse must not have remarried
3. It doesn’t matter if the primary has remained
4. Benefit is reduced by the same amount as a married spouse if taken early
5. Primary must have filed for their benefit
6. Divorced spouses benefit doesn’t affect primary or the primary’s new spouses benefit

Answer 15

All are true except #5

Question 16

What advantage is there to file and suspend if the primary does not have a spouse?

Answer 16

Trick question! There is no benefit. The primary can increase their benefit by simply waiting until age 70 (or some other age between FRA and 70) to file. There is no reason to file suspend if you don’t have a spouse.

Question 17

T or F - A divorced spouse is eligible for a “survivors” benefit according to the same rules that apply to divorced spouses for retirement benefits

Answer 17

True, except that the survivor’s spousal benefit becomes available as early as age 60 (rather than 62 as with spousal retirement benefits). primary for at least 10 years, and must not have remaired.

Question 18

T or F - As with a married spouse seeking a spousal benefit, the primary beneficiary of a divorced spouse must also have filed for their benefit for divorced spouse to collect spousal benefit.

Answer 18

False. It does not matter whether the primary has filed.

Question 19

How does the calculation of spousal benefits differ for divorced spouses from married spouse?

Answer 19

It’s the same. The divorced spouse gets the same amount as the married spouse claiming at the same age.

Question 20

T or F - A primary could have multiple divorced spouses (each with a marriage of ten years) who all draw spousal benefits, all receiving the same amount (assuming they all started to collect at the same age).

Answer 20

True.

Question 21

How the family maximum impact spousal benefits for a divorced spouse?

Answer 21

It has no impact. A eligible divorced spouse gets the same benefit irrespective of the primaries current family. (Double check)

Question 22

What is the difference between a married and a divorced spouse, both of whom are caring for minor children, with regard claiming early spousal benefits?

Answer 22

A married spouse caring for a child can claim the spousal benefit at any age. A divorced spouse carrying for a minor child cannot claim prior to 62 under any circumstance. However, the SSA makes a concession by eliminating the normal age based reduction in benefits that normally applies to benefits claimed between age 62 and FRA.

Question 23

T or F - Generally, the SSA applies a rule that forces SS beneficiaries who are eligible to take more than one benefit, to take the larger one.

Answer 23

True. A married spouse who is FRA or older can choose between the smaller of their own or the spousal benefit. This strategy is used “claim now, claim more later.”

If the spouse is not yet FRA, then they would have to take the larger benefit.

Question 24

What is the earliest age at which a survivors benefit can be claimed by:

The widow
T’s divorced widow

Answer 24

Age 60

Question 25

T or F - Social security forces those who are eligible to take the higher of the two possible benefits, but does not allow anyone to to take two benefits.

Answer 25

True, you can’t take two benefits.

Also, keep in mind that the rule about forcing the recipient to take the larger of two benefits is waived once they reach FRA, at which time they can choose.

Question 26

What reduction is applied to the spousal benefit for a spouse less than 62 caring for a child under 16 years old?

Answer 26

None. A spouse caring for a child under 16 gets 50% of the primary’s PIA regardless of her age.

Question 27

Why can’t “claim now , claim more later” be implemented before the spouse reaches FRA?

Answer 27

In CNCML, the spouse takes the smaller spousal benefit in order to delay taking their own larger benefit so that can earn delayed claiming credits. Prior to the souse’s FRA, he or she would be forced to take her own larger benefit, preventing them for earning delayed claiming credits.

Question 28

True or False - A married or divorced spouse caring for a minor child gets 50% of the primary’s PIA, regardless of age.

Answer 28

True. There is no age based reduction.

Married spouse caring for minor child will get 50% of PIA, and receive benefits at any age. Divorced spouse caring for minor child also gets 50%, but cannot start until age 62.

Question 29

To or F - A divorced spouse can file for and collected benefits without the primary even knowing.

Answer 29

True.