# Collecting spousal Social Security **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 23, 2015, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/collecting-spousal-social-security/738352 "2015-11-23T13:47:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bizerta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@bizerta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizerta)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2015, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/collecting-spousal-social-security/738352/1 "2015-11-23T13:47:43Z")
As I understand it, my spouse can collect either (A) their own SS, or (B) one half of my SS (during my lifetime) or © 100% of my SS after I die. I also know that the age at which one starts collecting determines the actual amount. So … If my spouse collects her own SS starting at age 62, and switches to 50% of my SS when she turns 66 (our “full” retirement age), is her collection of my SS based on a retirement age of 62, or when she switched, at age 66. A cite would be helpful as I can’t find one. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2015, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/collecting-spousal-social-security/738352/2 "2015-11-23T15:34:54Z")
There are a LOT of complicators beyond what you’ve said. And many ways to screw you or her for life by applying wrongly for your benefits. Get this book from the library: [http://www.amazon.com/Get-Whats-Yours-Secrets-Security/dp/1476772290](http://www.amazon.com/Get-Whats-Yours-Secrets-Security/dp/1476772290) ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2015, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/collecting-spousal-social-security/738352/3 "2015-11-23T16:00:21Z")
Since this involves legal/financial advice, let’s move it to IMHO. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2015, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/collecting-spousal-social-security/738352/4 "2015-11-23T16:12:51Z")
Two loopholes for spousal benefits were closed recently, so many books are going to be out of date. I suggest making an appointment with your local SS office. In the simplest case : If you are already at full retirement age and did not file early for your benefit and your spouse is 62 this year, they can claim a spousal benefit from 62-70. Otherwise, they are taking their benefit early. The amount of spousal benefit will depend on the age at which they start. I believe that once a spouse starts their benefit - that is it. They cannot claim spousal benefit until you die. ---
**Author:** ![jharvey963](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/54ee81/32.png) [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2015, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/collecting-spousal-social-security/738352/5 "2015-11-25T22:48:44Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > Two loopholes for spousal benefits were closed recently, so many books are going to be out of date. I suggest making an appointment with your local SS office. > > … I’ve actually made appointments and visited my SS office several times in the last couple of months. Despite all of the complaining about government bureaucrats, etc., I’ve had wonderful experiences with them. On 3 occasions, I’ve dealt with 2 different representatives (1 twice) and found them very competent and pleasant. So give them a try. J. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2015, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/collecting-spousal-social-security/738352/6 "2015-11-25T23:29:53Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > Two loopholes for spousal benefits were closed recently, so many books are going to be out of date. … Do you know of any good online references, official or otherwise, that explain the changes in full detail? ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2015, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/collecting-spousal-social-security/738352/7 "2015-11-26T04:41:11Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Do you know of any good online references, official or otherwise, that explain the changes in full detail? There is a website associated with the aforementioned book - I haven’t checked it but I’d be 99% certain it is full of this topic recently. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2015, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/collecting-spousal-social-security/738352/8 "2015-11-26T13:43:58Z")
Most of that website is behind a paywall, but this page from there [Updates Based on Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 | Maximize My Social Security](http://maximizemysocialsecurity.com/updates-based-bipartisan-budget-act-2015) is a pretty good summary of the changes. Which summary assumes you’ve already got a pretty good grounding in the details of how SS \*really \*worked before. Which details I doubt the OP has yet. One thing’s for sure: the changes are intended to reduce a lot of folks’ actual benefits without looking like a cut in Social Security. ---
**Author:** ![race\_to\_the\_bottom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c4cdca/32.png) [@race\_to\_the\_bottom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/race_to_the_bottom)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2015, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/collecting-spousal-social-security/738352/9 "2015-11-26T15:13:25Z")
I will only say what others have said/implied. Your spouse can get seriously screwed here if they do the wrong thing.