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Can My Wife Switch From Drawing Her Disability Benefits To Drawing On My Record?
I am 70 and collecting ssi. My wife is 64 and has been on disability for 4 years now. Should she switch to start drawing from my ssi?
Hi,
I assume you mean that you're drawing Social Security retirement benefits rather than Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Your wife couldn't switch from drawing Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits to spousal benefits, but she might be eligible for an excess spousal benefit in addition to her SSDI. She'll only qualify, though, if 50% of your primary insurance amount (PIA) is higher than her own PIA. A person's PIA is equal to their full SSDI rate, or their Social Security retirement benefit rate if they file for benefits at full retirement age (FRA).
If your wife is eligible for an excess spousal benefit and if she starts drawing it prior to FRA her excess spousal rate will be reduced for age. Or, she could opt to wait until FRA to receive an unreduced excess spousal benefit. If you think that your wife might qualify for an excess spousal benefit she may want to check with Social Security or use our software (https://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/purchase) to compare her options.
Best, Jerry