Is this an automatic change in Social Security?

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lucky3
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Joined: Thu Apr 12, 2012 9:21 am

Is this an automatic change in Social Security?

Post by lucky3 »

A few years ago I "filed and suspend" my SS benefits. When I become 70 in a few months, I checked, and was told my benefits would then be sent as I originally requested. During the "file and suspend" period my wife received 1/2 of my benefits. Am I correct in assuming that once I start to receive my full benefits at age 70 her benefits will revert back to her original benefits?

Lucky3
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ObliviousInvestor
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Re: Is this an automatic change in Social Security?

Post by ObliviousInvestor »

Why would her benefit change when you reach 70?

sscritic notes via email that more information would be helpful here:
"Is she not still your wife?

What was she entitled to before?
Her own benefit plus an additional amount as your wife?
Only as your wife? (she filed a restricted application for wife benefits)

If she filed only as your wife and her own benefit increased by delayed retirement credits is greater than 1/2 your Primary Insurance Amount (your age 66 benefit), then she should apply for her own benefit when she reaches 70."
Last edited by ObliviousInvestor on Wed Aug 17, 2016 12:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Mike Piper | Roth is a name, not an acronym. If you type ROTH, you're just yelling about retirement accounts.
Topic Author
lucky3
Posts: 205
Joined: Thu Apr 12, 2012 9:21 am

Re: Is this an automatic change in Social Security?

Post by lucky3 »

Oblivious:

Yes she is still my wife. She's three years older then me and originally filed for her own benefits at her full retirement age (before I filed). Then when I filed and suspended, her benefits were increased a bit (spousal benefits based on my filing). When I unsuspend in two months fom now...how then does that effect her individual benefit?

Lucky 3
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ObliviousInvestor
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Re: Is this an automatic change in Social Security?

Post by ObliviousInvestor »

Her monthly benefit will not change when you unsuspend. She will continue to receive the same retirement benefit + spousal benefit combination that she has been receiving.
Mike Piper | Roth is a name, not an acronym. If you type ROTH, you're just yelling about retirement accounts.
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