No. Each spouse can claim their own retirement benefit based solely on their individual earnings history. You can both collect your full amounts at the same time. However, your spouse’s earnings could affect the overall amount you get from Social Security, if you receive spousal benefits.

Can my wife claim Social Security on my earnings?

The spousal benefit can be as much as half of the worker’s “primary insurance amount,” depending on the spouse’s age at retirement. If a spouse is eligible for a retirement benefit based on his or her own earnings, and if that benefit is higher than the spousal benefit, then we pay the retirement benefit.

Can my spouse take my Social Security?

You can collect benefits on a spouse’s work record regardless of whether you also worked. If your own retirement benefit is lower than your spousal benefit, Social Security will pay you the higher amount.

Do you have to pay taxes on your Social Security benefits?

This usually happens only if you have other substantial income in addition to your benefits (such as wages, self-employment, interest, dividends and other taxable income that must be reported on your tax return). You will pay tax on only 85 percent of your Social Security benefits, based on Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules.

Do you pay taxes on your spouse’s health insurance?

The cost of company-paid premiums for your spouse’s health insurance is deductible to the company and your company’s payments are not considered wages and are not subject to Social Security, Medicare, or federal income tax withholding.

What is the employer tax rate for Social Security?

The employee tax rate for social security is 6.2% for both years. Additional Medicare Tax Beginning January 1, 2013, employers are responsible for withholding the 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax on an employee’s wages and compensation that exceeds a threshold amount based on the employee’s filing status.

Can a wife claim social security on her own earnings?

The wife, with no substantial earnings in either covered or noncovered employment, is not entitled to Social Security benefits based on her own earnings record.