> His $830 a month included a few hundred in Supplemental Security, but he mostly relied on close to $600 in Social Security spousal benefits, thanks to Bernade

> His $830 a month included a few hundred in Supplemental Security, but he mostly relied on close to $600 in Social Security spousal benefits, thanks to Bernadette’s years in the workforce. He said he’s offered to refund her a portion of that, but she declined. It's generous of him to offer to give her part of his spousal benefits, but the word "refund" makes me wonder if there is some confusion over how spousal benefits work. They aren't taken from the other spouse; their benefit remains unchanged. A somewhat simplified explanation: if one spouse (or ex-spouse in some cases) is receiving more than twice the Social Security benefit of the other, the one with a smaller benefit gets theirs "topped off" to be half of the other's benefit. It this case Bernadette may be receiving $1660/month in benefits. Haywood's benefit of several hundred dollars is increased to half of that, or $830. Bernadette still gets her full $1660. There are various requirements and conditions that may change this amount; I'm assuming both spouses are of full retirement age. Anyone receiving or about to receive Social Security benefits where one spouse earned significantly more than the other would do well to look into this. https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/applying6.html https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/applying6.html