Does Deemed Filing Apply to SSDI Recipients for Spousal Benefits?

Wife is collecting SSDI, but the husband with a much larger benefit has not filed for SSB.  Since she has SSDI, does deemed filing apply?  Meaning she will get a reduced Spousal benefit when the husband does file. This makes me think that she can refile for spousal at FRA if she wanted to get the max 50% benefit off the husband.

Deemed filing does not apply to individuals who are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. In the scenario where the wife is already collecting SSDI and her husband, who has a larger benefit, has not yet filed for Social Security retirement benefits, she is not required to file for spousal benefits when he does.

This means that the wife can continue to receive her SSDI benefits and has the option to wait until her Full Retirement Age (FRA) to apply for the spousal benefit. By waiting until FRA, she can maximize her spousal benefit, which would be 50% of her husband's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). This approach allows her to receive the full spousal benefit without any reduction due to early filing, ensuring that she gets the maximum possible benefit off her husband's record.

It's important to note that when her husband files for his Social Security retirement benefits, her SSDI will automatically convert to retirement benefits at her FRA. At that point, she can apply for the spousal boost, which will be calculated as 50% of her husband's PIA minus her own PIA. This strategy allows her to optimize her Social Security benefits over the long term.

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