1. Home
  2. More
  3. Are Social Security Representatives Ever Wrong?
  • Sign up
  • Sign in
Money Talks News
  • Popular
  • Latest
    • Coronavirus
    • Ask Stacy
    • Make
    • Save
    • Borrow
    • Grow
    • Live
    • More
  • Deals
    • Automotive
    • Clothing & Accessories
    • Computers
    • Electronics
    • Everything Else
    • Financial Services
    • Gaming & Toys
    • Health & Beauty
    • Home & Garden
    • Movies, Music & Books
    • Office & Supplies
    • Special Occasion
    • Sports & Fitness
    • Store Events
    • Travel & Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Solutions
  • Academy
  • Subscribe to our newsletter
  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Search our site
Seniors holding hands in pool4 Simple Steps for a More Comfortable Retirement
Happy older investor5 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $100,000
10 Amazing Ways to Build Wealth at Any Age10 Amazing Ways to Build Wealth at Any Age
Senior standing beside window5 Retirement Planning Mistakes You’ll Regret Forever

Are Social Security Representatives Ever Wrong?

There are two reasons the experts might give you bad advice.

Advertising Disclosure: When you buy something by clicking links on our site, we may earn a small commission, but it never affects the products or services we recommend.

Jeff Miller • August 22, 2019

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share by Email Share on Pinterest Printable version available to members PDF version available to members
Surprised senior holding a smartphone
fizkes / Shutterstock.com

Welcome to “Social Security Q&A.” You ask a Social Security question, and our guest expert provides the answer.

You can learn how to ask a question of your own below. And if you would like a personalized report detailing your optimal Social Security claiming strategy, click here. Check it out: It could result in receiving thousands of dollars more in benefits over your lifetime!

This week’s question is from L.H.:

“My Social Security benefit is twice what my spouse receives. She worked part time, and we have been married 54 years. I contacted Social Security, and they stated that because my spouse elected to start drawing her benefit prior to her full retirement age, she could not receive my higher benefit if I predecease her. Is that correct?”

Why Social Security representatives mislead

L.H.: This is an unfortunate example of people being misled by Social Security representatives. It happens more often than it should, but it reflects two things:

  • The high demand for advice as more people retire
  • Inexperienced Social Security staff who have been recently hired due to the large number of retirements of Social Security staff

If you get a response from someone in a Social Security office that you suspect might be incorrect, you can request to speak with a ‘technical representative.” Every office should have one. This person should be someone with experience who can give you the right answer.

To answer your question: When the first spouse passes, the surviving spouse will receive the higher of the two benefits. In your case, this is your benefit. The fact that your wife claimed her benefit before her normal full retirement age will have no impact on her survivor’s benefit.

You stated that your wife worked part time and claimed her benefit before her FRA. Claiming her benefit before FRA reduced her benefit. To help follow what happens in this situation, suppose that your benefit at your FRA is $2,000, and her retirement benefit at her FRA is $800. Since your wife claimed her benefit before her FRA, her reduced benefit would be smaller — $746 — if she claimed at 65 instead of her FRA of 66.

An image
See Also:
The Shortest Path to an Amazing Retirement

2 possible scenarios

Depending on when you claimed your benefit, there are two possible scenarios.

First, suppose that you claimed before your wife claimed. Because your wife’s benefit is less than half your benefit, Social Security will pay her a reduced spousal benefit. Half your benefit would be $1,000, but because she is claiming early, this will be reduced. The difference between her benefit at 66 and her spousal benefit is $1,000-$800, or $200. This is called the spousal supplement.

At 65, her spousal supplement would also be reduced — because of early claiming– to $183. (The formula is $200 multiplied by 0.916.) So, her total benefit would be her retirement benefit plus her spousal supplement, which would be $929. (Or, $746 + $183.)

A second scenario is where you have not claimed when your wife claims her retirement benefit. Because Social Security does not pay a spousal benefit until the principal beneficiary claims, Social Security will initially pay out only her reduced retirement benefit, $746. When you claim your benefit, she will become eligible to receive the spousal supplement.

If you claim when she is 66 or older, the amount would be $746 + $200, or $946, since there would be no penalty on the spousal supplement. If she was not yet 66, then there would be a penalty applied to the spousal supplement, as in the first case above.

Note that her decision to claim early will affect her long-term benefit in both cases.

Got a question you’d like answered?

You can ask a question simply by hitting “reply” to our email newsletter, just as you would with any email in your inbox. If you’re not subscribed, fix that right now by clicking here. It’s free, only takes a few seconds, and will get you valuable information every day!

The questions I’m likeliest to answer are those that will interest other readers. So, it’s better not to ask for super-specific advice that applies only to you.

About me

I hold a doctorate in economics from the University of Pennsylvania and taught economics at the University of Delaware for many years. I now do the same at Gallaudet University.

In 2009, I co-founded SocialSecurityChoices.com, an internet company that provides advice on Social Security claiming decisions. You can learn more about that by clicking here.

Got any words of wisdom you can offer on today’s question? Share your knowledge and experiences on our Facebook page. And if you find this information useful, please share it!

Disclaimer: We strive to provide accurate information with regard to the subject matter covered. It is offered with the understanding that we are not offering legal, accounting, investment or other professional advice or services, and that the SSA alone makes all final determinations on your eligibility for benefits and the benefit amounts. Our advice on claiming strategies does not comprise a comprehensive financial plan. You should consult with your financial adviser regarding your individual situation.

  Like Article   Add a Comment

Sign up for our free newsletter!

Simple ways to make, save, and grow your money daily:

  happy subscribers    
MTN Podcasts

Every week our podcasts bring you lively money discussions that will give you a few laughs along with advice that will make you richer.

Money with Stacy Johnson

Listen/Subscribe

Read Next

Some of our favorite stories for you to read next.

Couple applying for Social Security
7 Things You Should Do Before Claiming Social Security
Couple standing on the shore.
These 13 States Tax Social Security Income
Senior man shrugging
Should I Take Social Security Now and Invest It, or Wait Until I’m 70?
Sign up for our free newsletter!

Join our many free newsletter subscribers building wealth and destroying debt:

Popular Topics
  • Retirement Investment
  • Surveys for Money
  • How to Make Money Online
  • Emergency Stockpile
  • Free Movie Streaming
  • Senior Discounts
Connect
  • Support & FAQs
  • Memberships
  • About
  • Contact
  • Careers
  • Accessibility Statement
Media
  • Television
  • Where We Air
  • Scripts
  • Sitemap
Legal
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Cookies
Editorial
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Ethics Policy
  • Corrections Policy
  • Ownership & Funding Info

Do Not Sell My Personal Information

© 2023 Money Talks News. All Rights Reserved.
‭1 (833) 669-8557 | 1732 1st Ave #26661, New York, NY 10128

Advertising Disclosure: This site may be compensated in exchange for featured placement of certain sponsored products and services, or your clicking on links posted on this website.

Add a Comment

Our Policy: We welcome relevant and respectful comments in order to foster healthy and informative discussions. All other comments may be removed. Comments with links are automatically held for moderation.

Cookie Notice

Our website uses cookies to ensure you get the best browsing experience. By using our website, you agree to our use of cookies. Visit our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy to learn more.

Sign up for our free newsletter!

Join our happy subscribers and sign up for our free newsletter! You'll get:

  • Tips and advice from our expert money reporters. (Our average experience is 18 years!)
  • Unexpected ways to make more and spend less, delivered to you daily.
  • The best deals and coupons to save on everything you buy.
  • Free copies of our eBooks '208 Ways to Save Money Every Day' and '108 Easy Ways to Earn Extra Cash', together a $29 value!