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Page 18 Sa nir Sa a y Senior Seni by Jim Miller Understanding Social Security Spousal Benefi ts Dear Savvy Senior, How do Social Security spousal benefi ts work? My wife, who’s approaching age 62, has had a few small-paying jobs over the years, but spent most of her time as a homemaker. What is she entitled to? Primary Breadwinner Dear Breadwinner, Spousal benefit questions are among the most frequently asked and confusing parts of Social Security. The rules that govern qualifying and claiming are knotty, and there are many exceptions. But understanding how these benefi ts work is crucial for maximizing your family’s retirement income. Here’s what you should know. What Are Spousal Benefi ts? Social Security spousal benefits are designed to provide retirement income to spouses who either didn’t work or worked sporadically/part-time and earned signifi cantly less than their spouses over their working lifetime. A stay-at-home parent is a good example of a spousal benefi t recipient. Who’s Qualifi es? To qualify for spousal benefi ts, you and your wife must meet three conditions: Your wife must be at least age 62; you must be married for a year or more; and you must already be collecting your retirement benefi ts. Different rules apply for ex-spouses. Ex-spouses (if you were married for at least 10 years and are not remarried) can receive a spousal benefit based on an ex-spouse’s record even if your ex has not yet fi led for their own benefi ts, but your ex must be age 62 or older. How Much Are Spousal Benefi ts? The amount your wife would get for spousal benefi ts will depend on your earning’s history and her claiming age. The maximum spousal benefi t is 50 percent of your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which is that amount you’re entitled to at full retirement age benefi t (FRA). But your wife will only get that much if she waits until her full retirement age to fi le, which is 67 if she was born in 1960 or later. Unfortunately, spousal benefi ts cannot be increased by her waiting beyond FRA, but they are reduced by taking them early. So, for example, if your wife were to start collecting her spousal benefi ts at age 62 (the earliest possible age), she would collect only 32.5 percent of your PIA. To calculate exactly how much your wife’s spousal benefits would be reduced by taking them before her FRA see SSA. gov/OACT/quickcalc/spouse.html. You also need to know that because spousal benefi ts are based on your PIA, even if you (the primary earner) retire early, before you reach your FRA, your wife’s spousal benefi t will not be reduced. Just as they will not increase if you delay claiming your benefi ts beyond your FRA. You should also note that if your wife worked and is entitled to benefi ts on her own work record, but it’s less than what she’s entitled to as a spouse, Social Security will pay her the higher of the two amounts, but not both. Survivor Benefi ts In addition to spousal benefi ts Social Security also pays survivor benefits to spouses and ex-spouses starting at age 60 (50 if disabled). So, if your wife outlives you, she’ll be able to switch from her spousal benefi ts to survivor benefi ts and receive a higher payment. Survivor benefits range between 71.5 and 100 percent of the deceased’s benefi t, based on your wife’s age when she claims. There is, however, one exception. Surviving spouses and ex-spouses that are caring for a child (or children) of the deceased worker, and they are under age 16 or disabled, are eligible to receive 75 percent of the worker’s benefi t amount at any age. Online Calculators There are several online calculators that can help you and your wife figure out the best time to claim your benefits to ensure you get the highest possible lifetime payout. One that’s completely free to use OpenSocialSecurity.com. Or for a more thorough analysis use MaximizeMySocialSecurity.com. This tool, which costs $49 for a year, will run what-if scenarios based on your circumstances to fi nd your best strategy. Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070. nior ior THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – WEDnEsDAy, nOVEmbER 26, 2025 BEACON | FROM PAGE 17 purpose of building a fi rewall between commissioners and the work being done by the CCC itself, given the myriad scandals the agency has faced over the last several years, language in this bill should not stop commissioners’ ability to receive whistleblower reports and other feedback about the agency’s work. This amendment clarifi es that the path of whistleblower reports still goes through the commissioners who have the power to immediately take action to correct failures of the agency they oversee.” (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes WARNING LABELS (S 2722) Senate 11-26, rejected an amendment that supporters said would require that cannabis and cannabis product packaging include clear and accurate warning labels that address health risks, ensuring consumers are informed about potential eff ects. They noted that these effects include impairment, dependency or risks during pregnancy. They noted the amendment expands labeling requirements by adding batch numbers, testing results, useby dates, allergen information, THC amounts per serving and a required FDA disclaimer. They said this amendment requires rotating health warnings including risks like addiction, mood disorders, psychosis, suicidal thoughts and cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. “Many other states already use similar warning-label requirements, and following those standards helps keep consumers informed and safe,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth). “It’s a practical step towards stronger public health.” “Accidental marijuana ingestion poses serious and rising risks to children, especially since its legalization in Massachusetts,” said Sen. John Keenan (D-Quincy). “One study found that in 2020 unintentional cannabis exposure in children under five accounted for 41.6 percent of all poison control cases nationwide, I supported [this] amendment because its passage would have required clear labeling, similar to many other products, indicating that it is marijuana and is dangerous for children. It also would have included labels with information directed at adults, including THC level, a unique batch number, a full list of ingredients and potential allergens.” S en. Adam Gomez (D-Springfield) said the bill already includes robust labeling requirements and argued this amendment goes too far. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico No ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL SUICIDE AWARENESS AND REMEMBRANCE DAY (H 3888) – Gov. Maura Healey signed into law legislation designating September 22nd as Military Service Members and Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day. The day acknowledges that suicide is an epidemic among service members and veterans and is designed to foster awareness and call for suicide prevention measures and support. Supporters said that passage of this law follows years of advocacy, including the tireless contributions from the Partyka family, whose son, Sgt. Matthew Partyka, a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran from Hingham, died by suicide in 2022. Matthew’s family has been instrumental in raising awareness about veteran suicide and pushing for legislative change. “We brought forward this legislation in direct response to the tragedies that have left holes in the fabric of our communities and in order to build awareness to prevent future tragedy,” said sponsor Rep. Joan Meschino (D-Hull). “[The bill] is an important step in offering support to both our active service members and veterans.” CAR RENTALS (H 4705) – The House and Senate approved and sent to Gov. Healey a bill that supporters said would align the Bay State with the majority of other states by updating car rental insurance requirements to maintain liability coverage on a secondary basis, making rental companies responsible only if the renter is uninsured or underinsured. If a lessee or operator of a leased vehicle already has a valid liability policy or equivalent fi nancial security meeting the state minimum requirements, the lessor’s coverage obligation is considered satisfi ed. Supporters said that by shifting primary liability to the renter’s personal auto insurance, the legislation helps make car rentals more aff ordable and accessible for Massachusetts residents, reducing costs while maintaining necessary protections. “When friends visited me on Cape Cod this summer, they were stunned at just how expensive it was to rent even a small sedan for the weekend,” said sponsor Sen. Julian Cyr (D-Truro). “And they’re not wrong — rental car prices in Massachusetts are higher than almost anywhere else in the country, in part because we’ve kept an outdated insurance requirement on the books. We’re one of the only states where rental companies, not your own insurance, are required to carry primary coverage, and the cost of that policy gets passed right along to consumers.” Cyr continued, “By aligning Massachusetts with the rest of the country, we’re helping lower rental car prices for families, travelers and anyone who needs to rent a car in a pinch. I’m proud the Senate has taken this step to make life just a little more affordable for our residents and visitors.” PROTECT COMMUNICATIONS OF LABOR UNIONS (H 2087) – The House gave initial approval to a measure that would protect the confi dentiality of all modes of communications between labor unions and their union members, except in the rare circumstances where disclosure appears necessary to prevent injury from a crime or when legal claims are brought in formal proceedings against unions. “Workers need to know they can bring issues on the job to their union without fear of reprisal or retaliation,” said LindBEACON | SEE PAGE 19

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