topic Retirement at 62 in Retirement tax questions

Retirement at 62

Sedutra — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 09:52:17 GMT

I have an appointment on July 16, 2024, to apply for SSI. Are my taxes based on my own income or that of my husband's income as well. Should he pass would my taxes be adjusted to only based on my own SSI? Plus any retirement income I have?

Re: Retirement at 62

VolvoGirl — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 21:55:37 GMT

Do you mean Social Security benefits or ssi supplemental security income? They are different. If you file a Joint return all income for both of you is included. If he passes then you are only taxed on your income after the year of death.

Up to 85% of Social Security becomes taxable when all your other income plus 1/2 your social security, reaches:

Married Filing Jointly: $32,000

Single or head of household: $25,000

Married Filing Separately: 0

Re: Retirement at 62

marctu — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 22:01:14 GMT

Your adjusted gross income would include that of your husband's assuming that your filing status is Married Filing jointly. If you are married and file a separate return, you probably will have to pay taxes on your benefits.

If you are married and file a separate return, you probably will have to pay taxes on your benefits

So, the concept here is "combined income". Combined Income is your adjusted gross income plus nontaxable interest and half of your Social Security benefits for the year.

If your combined income is under $25,000 (single) or $32,000 (joint filing), there is no tax on your Social Security benefits.
For combined income between $25,000 and $34,000 (single) or $32,000 and $44,000 (joint filing), up to 50% of benefits can be taxed.
With combined income above $34,000 (single) or above $44,000 (joint filing), up to 85% of benefits can be taxed.

If your husband passes the single limits above would apply. As you are going to be 62, I do hope that does not happen for some time.

Thanks again for the question @Sedutra

All the best,

Marc

Employee Tax Expert