Ask the Experts - Increased Social Security Payments

Q. My friend took Social Security payments at age 62 and receives a small amount.  Will he be able to receive an increase in payments based on his wife’s record when she starts drawing benefits?

A. When your friend’s wife decides to take her benefits, the Social Security Administration will check its records to see whether your friend is eligible to receive a higher amount based on his wife’s work record. If the wife’s benefit turns out to be higher than her husband’s, he may be eligible for an increase in his benefit.

But in this case your friend won’t get 50 percent of her benefit – even if he’s the lower-earning spouse -- because he took his benefits at 62, resulting in a permanent reduction. Usually, when a husband and wife both start taking benefits at full retirement age, the lower-earning spouse’s payment will be at least half of the higher-earning spouse’s payment.

To learn more about spousal benefits, visit the Social Security Administration online.

Source: Stan Hinden