Who Is Eligible For Spousal Social Security Benefits?

Just south of ‘Sawmill Creek…..
Hi Attorney Kevin Pritchett here

Who Is Eligible For Social Security Spousal Benefits
 Let me break it down by category

  Non Working Spouse
    If you are a non working spouse you can qualify for Social Security under these conditions:

==your partner must qualify for Social Security on   
their own working history

==your partner must already be receiving Social    Security benefits your you to receive spousal  benefits.

==if you are NOT caring for an eligible child under   age
18, you must be age 62 to start receiving Social
Security spousal benefits and you must
    be your full retirement age (66 or 67 depending  on
when you were born) to receive 100%
    of eligible Social Security spousal benefits.

Working Spouses
    If you qualify for Social Security based on
your own work record, you can only take the higher of either your eligible working
Social Security benefit or your eligible spousal social security benefit…you cannot take both!!

Former Spouses
  You can claim spousal benefits from a former spouse
if:
==you are single or widowed==marriage lasted at least 10 years==you are at least 62 years old

Any benefits you obtain from a former spouse will not reduce that spouse’s Social Security benefit.

How Much Is The Spousal Benefit ?
    The maximum spousal benefit that current or former
spouses can collect is 50% of the working spouse’s
benefit at their full retirement age, or their
Primary Insurance Amount. PIA.

    To receive the 50% benefit, you must wait until your
own full retirement age to file for spousal benefits.
You can claim as early as age 62, but if you do,
your benefit will be reduced by up to 35.

Income Issues
As if all this weren’t confusing enough.  On top of it all, you must remember that spousal Social Security benefits can be taxable and can place you in a category where you are penalized or lose benefits altogether.
     In upcoming articles I will discuss the entire vexing issue of the Taxation of Social Security Benefits…a topic that boils almost EVERYBODY’S blood!!

Reach Out To Me If You Have Questions.
  If you have comments or questions about any of this…send me an email :ironkop@gmailcomor if reading on my blog or Facebook page leave your questions or comments below.

Remember…..”Things Don’t Get Better With Neglect…..”

Kevin Pritchett, Esq
Law Office of Kevin Pritchett,
312-505-1957
ironkop@gmail.com
www.KevinPLaw.com