OK, I draw SS. I also work and have other income. So I pay taxes on 85% of my SS income.
Now, my wife will be drawing SS. She is 62. She did work, but has had no income for the past few years (retired). She will be drawing SS based on my higher earnings.
The way SS folks explain it, she gets SS based on her past earnings, plus an additional amount due to my higher earnings.
Anyway, we get to my question:
We file jointly. We have a good income based on my earnings. I pay taxes on 85% of my SS. What about my wife's SS. Does she also pay tax based on our joint income (hence being taxed on 85% of her SS income)? Or does she pay tax on her SS income based on her overall income (which would be zero)? Or is there something in between.
Hope this makes sense
Mel