Q & A
If I worked and made enough to draw Social Security benefits on my own, but could draw more from my husband, do I have a choice?
Answer: No, you don’t. When you retire and notify Social Security that you want to begin receiving retirement benefits, they will work with you to see that you get the largest amount possible. Here’s how it works: When the first spouse retires, his or her Social Security benefit will be calculated based only on his or her own work history. That benefit will become the couple’s Primary Insurance Benefit. When the second spouse retires, Social Security looks at the second spouse’s work history. The second spouse’s benefit will be based on the LARGER of: (1) half of the Primary Insurance Benefit, or (2) the retirement benefit that the second spouse earned as a result of her own work history.
Source: http://www.todaysseniors.com/pages/Social_Security_Questions.html
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