Social Security Spousal Benefits - MADE EASY to Understand

This video makes understanding Social Security Spousal Benefits EASY. It discloses how to qualify for spousal benefits for both married and divorced spouses and ex-spouses (respectively). It discusses the payment for spouses with, 1) no work history, 2) some work history, and 3) a lot of work history. It also covers the Social Security Length of Marriage rules (and importantly their exceptions) and gives easy to use examples so that you can calculate your own Social Security spousal benefits based on your age and the primary benefit amount of your spouse.

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Disclaimer: this video is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for legal, accounting, tax, or professional advice. If you have any specific questions about any legal, accounting, tax or other professional service matter you should consult the appropriate professional services provider.

[NGaugeNorthport]

Jeff, I have been watching your videos ever since. I will begin collecting social security. I am now 67 an 4 months. I have owned my own successful businesses since I was 24.
I’ve been married for 42 years, my wife started collecting SS when she turned 65 last year. Our 4 children are married and all doing well financially. I consider myself a fairly knowledgeable business person with multiple real estate investment properties. We set up trust funds for our grandchildren, we live within our means and own a home and have little debt. Having said all of that, I found navigating social security and Medicare to be a logistical nightmare.
Thank you for your guidance and simple explanations to a typical convoluted, irrational government run agency. Like most males I hesitate to seek directions however I found your insight priceless. Than you, Jim

[maggielucas]

my husband is on SS disability since 2017. i’m 62, can i apply for SS thru my husband’s social security benefits?

[filigroove]

What about if the wife collects a pension from her job but no social security. (government worker married 40 years) Is the wife still entitled to husbands social security?

[susanruzicka]

I would like you to expand on rules of ex-spouse benefits and filing, please. Neither old enough to get full benefits.

[RobertBrown-mmun]

Together 30 years, california registered domestic partners for 20 years, partner passed away unexpectedly...
I wished we had married, for many reasons including SS...
☮🙏

[Semiam]

What would be beneficial is to have a calculator where you could plug in different scenarios

[kathyfrazier]

Interesting. The problem that a friend of mine encountered is she married a man with three children they had two more children. Then he being older an smarter after they had been married for 9 1/2 years he decided to divorce her an marry the nanny. She had just given birth to their last child and had not even gotten home from the hospital. The social security rules should have a clause for this especially since she had not worked.

[JeromeKJones]

What if she files at 62 and I at 65? Does she take hers till I file and then refile for the spousal?

[RobertFilipovich]

I was wondering in order to get spousal benefits, do you have to file after the primary files to get the top up? For instance my Mother in law filed for hers at 63, father in law filed 2 years later at 67, would she have gotten the top up automatically or does she have to file for it? Thanks for these great videos as we plan our retirement.

[OKayMMusic]

I’m 67. Am I allowed to collect 50% of my ex spouses benefit for the next few years, let my own SS build up to max benefit, then switch back to mine when my benefit is maxed out?

[billcunningham]

Called SS office twice and received the same answer, which doesn't seem to be the same as you are mentioning unless I missed it. SS said that the spouse is ONLY able to claim 1/2 of the benefit of the other spouse IF you are divorced. If the couple is still married, SS said it is not possible for the married spouse to claim 1/2 of their spouses SS. What gives?

[suz]

Thank you for answering the question I’ve had for a while & could never find answer to!!
Have been divorced 5 years, after being married 31, and wanted to know if I had to wait for him to file. We don’t speak so don’t want to ask him.
Question…how can I find out if half of his is more than my full benefit? I doubt it is, but might be. I can’t reach a live person by phone & cannot find the answer on the website.
Thanks!!

[soupy]

if my wife is on federal retirement plan is she still entitled to SS spousal benefits?

[mishawilliams]

Your delivery is the most understandable. I like how you stay on the particular topic and explain in a clear and concise manner. I was about file for spousal support and realized with your help, that I’m better off waiting til FRA or at least not at age 62 my age come September 2022.🙆🏽‍♀️

[GumperVanLier]

If I wait until age 70 to collect and my wife wants half my SS instead of hers when she reaches FRA (67) and I would be 77. Does she get half my earnings for age 70 or the lessor amount at my FRA of 66 years, 8 months?

[kimrodriguez]

Ha! Wow, does this make me feel better. Didn't work long enough during my life to qualify for Social Security benefits on my own. However, my younger, hard-working spouse will be taking social security when he's 62. I'll be 68 at that time, and that's when I can apply for the Social Security Spousal benefit!

[Csmonk]

Seems like a bit of a penalty if a souse that never worked outside the home is able to collect the same or slightly less than a dual income lower earning spouse with a 35 year work history of paying FICA

[juliebridge]

New subbie, anyway thanks for answering people's questions. I realize you are very busy, but it makes someone like me want to follow you all the more! It seems that you really care!!

[chainsawd]

Okay crazy question. If one was married 17 years, got a divorce and then remarried and has been married to the 2nd spouse for 20 years, which person collects the spousal benefit and does it lower the benefit of the one who is retiring?

[waschell]

wow, this was a lot of good information. If you don't talk to your ex-spouse how do you find out when he files? Do you have to call SS every year? not sure I would have a top-up or not...