Social Security for a Couple

[JEdmund]

I've been hearing about a social security monthly limit for a couple and wondered if there were any truth to this.  My husband and I will both will be waiting until FRA to collect at 67 in 2028.  My SS will start in Jan and will be $2400 and his will start in Oct at $3695.  Together we feel pretty comfortable with this amount but is there a limit on how much a "family" can receive?  I have checked the SS site and find no answers to this. 

Thank you in advance!

[GailL1 · Accepted solution]

@JEdmund 

A Social Security benefit is an INDIVIDUALIZE benefit.  You have one and your husband has one - these are individual benefits based on the beneficiary’s own earnings record.

The Family maximum comes into play on one’s individual benefit -

Example:  Let’s say, your husband who will have a benefit of $ 3695 has several others who are also going to draw benefits off HIS record.  There may be a few minor children - under the age of 18 - who could also draw a portions of his benefit.  There could also be one or more EX-wives who are also eligible to draw off HIS benefit.  Sometimes dependent parents might also qualify.  Or a Disabled Adult Child although disability benefits has a different family maximum formula.  So anybody drawing off HIS (Retirement or Survivors) record is gonna be included in the family maximum to which there is a limit - 

The same would be true of YOUT own benefit too.

So to simply answer your question - the family maximum only applies to an individual’s benefit; not to a combined husband and wife who each have their own benefits.  

SSA.gov - Family Benefits

SSA.gov - Formula for Family Maximum Benefit 

Notice in the opening paragraph of this link, it says, “The maximum family benefit is the maximum monthly amount that can be paid on A worker's earnings record.”

[JEdmund]

thank you, Gail, this explanation is perfect.  There are no other spouses or dependents who come into play.  Sound like all is fine for us.