If you claim your regular Social Security benefit before your higher-earning spouse does, you have the option of switching to spousal benefits at a later date when (or after) your spouse decides to file.
Specifically, a rumored $16,728 bonus that had people wondering if it was true or not in 2024? Sadly, there's no real “bonus” that retirees who receive Social Security can collect.
7 Mistakes That Can Mess Up Your Social Security Benefits Claiming Benefits Too Early. Overlooking the Earnings Limit. Misunderstanding Spousal and Survivor Benefits. Failing to Review Your Earnings Record. Overlooking the Tax Implications of Benefits. Misjudging the Impact of Medicare Premiums. Ignoring the Impact of Divorce.
To qualify for the SSI caregiver allowance, you must be a spouse, parent, or child of the disabled person you are caring for. Additionally, the caregiver must have low income and limited resources.
In addition, to be eligible for spouse's benefits, you must be one of the following: 62 years of age or older. Any age if you have a child who is younger than 16 in your care or has a disability and is entitled to benefits on your spouse's record.
What you may not realize is that your spouse may also be able to receive Social Security benefits. In fact, they don't even have to have reached retirement age to qualify for these benefits. They may be eligible, through this loophole, if they are serving as a caregiver at home for your child with disabilities.