25 Sep I care for our disabled son. Can I get spousal benefits?

Q. If my spouse receives Social Security benefits at 62, can I at age 56 receive spousal benefits for taking care of our disabled adult son? My spouse would receive $2,005 and my son receives SSI of $741. What’s the family maximum?
— Getting by

A. We’re glad you’re asking.

The Social Security system is full of little known rules and regulations, and one deals with exactly your situation.

Current law allows for a spouse, caring for a disabled child, to collect a spousal benefit even if they have not reached the minimum retirement age of 62, said Steven Gallo, a certified public accountant and personal financial specialist with U.S. Financial Services in Fairfield.

“The spousal benefit is equivalent to one-half of the older spouse’s benefit at the time of application,” Gallo said. “The younger spouse’s benefit will be increased upon reaching their qualifying retirement age if his or her working benefit exceeds the spousal benefit they are receiving.”

As you suggested, there is a catch. If the family maximum is exceeded, the child’s benefit will be reduced by the overage.

“Despite this caveat, in most cases, the overall benefit to the family will be greater than if the younger spouse did not collect,” Gallo said. “This could amount to thousands of dollars over the six-year period leading up to the younger spouse reaching the minimum retirement age of 62.”

Those are the basics, but be sure to reach out to Social Security to confirm all the numbers and benefits allowed for your family.

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This story was originally published on Sept. 25, 2019.

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