Ask Terry Questions Spouse benefits from social security

Spouse benefits from social security

By Terry Savage on January 17, 2025 | Wild Card

I retired about 3 years ago and receive about $22,000 yearly in county pension. My husband , who started taking social security about a year ago (at 70 1/2), just retired. I got a letter from SS saying I may be entitled to spousal benefits (half of husband’s SS???) anyway I called SS and was told I do not qualify even tho I personally worked enough quarters to receive SS myself. Can u please explain? THANK YOU! Marcia

Terry Says

Now, after the Fairness Act, you are entitled to whichever is larger: your full earned SS benefit, or half of your husband’s benefit. You can go to www.maximizemysocialsecurity.com to figure out the correct amount, as SS is famous for giving the wrong answers — and probably isn’t set up yet to revise its payments after the Fairness Act.

money

ASK TERRY

a personal
finance question