SS question: Can I collect SS from my wife's spousal benefit ? (55, pension)

[Jim Mac]

If I already collect a pension ? The pension I collect is not from SS.

Thanks.

[Perryinva]

A pension has nothing at all to do with SS. It depends on yours and hers SS earnings and your ages. That's all.

[Jim Mac]

Thanks. Since I completed my 40 quarters for SS, the spousal benefit would not be available to me, correct?

The spousal benefit is only for people that don't have 40 quarters?

[reed303]

You can have 40 quarters, and possibly be eligible for Spousal benefits.

Read more details re Spousal here: https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/applying6.html

[reed303]

If you also have pension, you need to read this info:
https://faq.ssa.gov/link/portal/3401...ement-benefits

[AnnaLee2]

If your pension is from a system that you worked in for most of your career and did NOT pay into Social Security, you may need to look at how GPO affects your spousal benefit.

[Jim Mac]

Thanks all. I read those links, but it is confusing to me.

Yes, my pension is a Police pension, and we did not pay into SS. BUT I do have my quarters from other jobs.

Oh well. I'm only 59 years old now, and my wife is 55. Just doing a little thinking ahead.

[biscuitmom]

Originally Posted by Jim Mac

Thanks all. I read those links, but it is confusing to me.
Yes, my pension is a Police pension, and we did not pay into SS. BUT I do have my quarters from other jobs.

In that case, having 40 quarters isn't enough to avoid the offset. You have to pay into SS 30 YEARS to avoid a reduction in your spousal SS benefits. The amount your benefit will be reduced is determined by how long you paid into it.

If you're counting on the spousal SS for retirement income, you really need to educate yourself on the GPO.

[oldsoldier1976]

Originally Posted by biscuitmom

In that case, having 40 quarters isn't enough to avoid the offset. You have to pay into SS 30 YEARS to avoid a reduction in your spousal SS benefits. The amount your benefit will be reduced is determined by how long you paid into it.

If you're counting on the spousal SS for retirement income, you really need to educate yourself on the GPO.

Originally Posted by Jim Mac

Thanks all. I read those links, but it is confusing to me.

Yes, my pension is a Police pension, and we did not pay into SS. BUT I do have my quarters from other jobs.

Oh well. I'm only 59 years old now, and my wife is 55. Just doing a little thinking ahead.

Bisquitmom is absolutely correct in your case. You will need 30 years of significant SS earnings. That doesn't mean full time. It can be part time but you will need all 30 years to get 90% of your SS.

https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10045.pdf

[Perryinva]

What am I Missing here?? If the guy has his 40 quarters, when the missus is at FRA, (67),'IF she files, he can file for spousal, and get it because it is the larger of the two, ie: his own or his spousal. Right?