Do You Qualify for Social Security Spouse’s Benefits?
Reading Time: 3 MinutesLast Updated: July 15, 2024
Social Security benefits are a crucial part of the retirement income for millions of Americans.
If you don’t have enough Social Security credits to get benefits on your own work record or your own benefit is small, you may be able to receive benefits as a spouse. Your spouse must be receiving benefits for you to get benefits on their work record. If your spouse does not receive retirement or disability, you’ll have to wait to apply on your spouse’s record.
In addition, to be eligible for spouse’s benefits, you must be one of the following:
- 62 years of age or older.
- Any age if you have a child who is younger than 16 in your care or has a disability and is entitled to benefits on your spouse’s record.
How the spouse’s benefit is determined
Your full spouse’s benefit could be up to one-half the amount your spouse is eligible to receive at their full retirement age. If you choose to receive your spouse’s benefits before you reach full retirement age, your payment will be permanently reduced.
Your spouse may have postponed or plan to postpone their retirement to increase their monthly benefit amount by earning delayed retirement credits. However, your maximum spouse’s benefit remains 50% of their full retirement age benefit, not their higher amount including delayed retirement credits. (Your benefit as a surviving spouse would be based on the higher amount.)
If you wait until you reach full retirement age to receive benefits, you’ll receive your full spouse’s benefit amount. You may also get your full spouse’s benefit if you are under full retirement age, but care for a child and one of the following applies:
- The child is younger than age 16.
- The child has a disability and is entitled to benefits on your spouse’s record.
Payments to family members do not decrease your spouse’s retirement or disability benefit.
If you get retirement and spouse’s benefits
If you’re eligible for retirement and spouse’s benefits, you must apply for both, and you’ll receive a combined benefit equaling the higher spouse’s amount.
This requirement is called “deemed filing” because when you apply for one benefit you are “deemed” to have applied for the other benefit.
If you receive retirement on your own record, we will pay that amount first. If your benefits as a spouse are higher than your own benefit, you will get a combination of benefits that equals the higher spouse’s benefit.
Consider this example: Sandy is eligible for a monthly retirement benefit of $1,000 and a spouse’s benefit of $1,250. If she waits for Social Security until her full retirement age, she will receive her own $1,000 retirement benefit. We will add $250 from her spouse’s benefit, for a total of $1,250 a month. Sandy only gets an additional spouse’s benefit because her own benefit is less than half her spouse’s full retirement age benefit.
How to apply online
Want to apply for your retirement or your spouse’s benefit or both? Are you at least 61 years and 9 months old? If you answered yes, visit our website to get started today. If you and your spouse both have a personal my Social Security account, you can view an estimate of the benefits you could receive based on your spouse’s record.
Divorced spouses can get benefits, too
Are you divorced from a marriage that lasted at least 10 years? You may be able to get benefits on your former spouse’s record. Our rules for divorced spouse’s benefits are slightly different. You can find out more by visiting our Family benefits page.
For more information about spouse’s benefits, please read our Retirement Benefits publication.
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Tags: General Information, retirement benefits, Social Security benefits
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Dawn Bystry, Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
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Ruth F.
I am an American citizen married to a New Zealander. We have been married for 54 years living in the Philippines where we serve as evangelical Christian missionaries. We are not required to file or pay income taxes in the Philippines. New Zealand does not require my husband to file or pay income taxes. We have always filed for me in the USA, and continues to do so. I have now been receiving monthly income from the SSS since 2011 when I turned 70. My husband will be 77 in one month. Our family in the USA recommends asking whether he is entitled to receive SS benefits or income as a spouse at this point in time. Thank you in advance for your reply to our question.
JEM
Yes, a Non-resident Non-Citizen spouse can receive spousal benefits. While information in this area (non-US citizen and SS benefits is complex, two criteria come to my mind:
1. The non-US spouse should have lived in the United States for at least 5 years while married to their US Citizen spouse. The 5 years do not need to be consecutive.
2. The non-US spouse should be a citizen, resident or former resident of a country that has a social security agreement, known as a Totalization Agreement, with the United States.
3. Both yourself and your husband meet the other requirements (age and your work history).
Please speak to a Social Security representative to verify this information to confirm eligibility.
S.S.
Hi, Ruth. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. For information about our services for our customers who live outside the U.S., please visit our Office of Earnings & International Operations webpage. To learn more about spouse’s benefits, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Janine
Can I start collecting my social security retirement benefit when I turn 65 and then later collect the spousal benefit when I reach full retirement age? I was born in 1959.
S.S.
Hi, Janine. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. You may be eligible for spouse’s benefits. If your benefits as a spouse are greater than your own retirement benefits, you may get a combination of benefits equaling the higher spouse’s amount. However, your spouse’s benefit will be less than half your husband’s full retirement age benefit if you start receiving your own benefits at 65, before your full retirement age. If you and your husband both have a personal my Social Security account, you can view an estimate of the benefits you could receive based on his earnings history. To learn more about spouse’s benefits, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. When you are ready to apply for retirement benefits, the most convenient way is to use our online application. We hope this helps.
Mike
Why did this change leaving those who planned on this benefit taking a big hit. I’m 75and my wife 66 why weren’t we grandfathered in. This is a benefit taken away from me. You’ve done a bad thing by taking away a benefit that has been on the books for decades that I planned my retirement on. So what else are you planning to take away?
S.D.
Hi, Mike. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. The law was changed in 2015 about filing for retirement and spouse’s benefits. If your wife turned 62 on or after January 2, 2016, and she is eligible for retirement and spouse’s benefits, deemed filing applies to her. That means when she files for either her retirement or her spouse’s benefit, she is required or “deemed” to file for both her own retirement and for any benefits she is due as a spouse. Therefore, if she is eligible for both benefits, she cannot choose to file for one and delay the other. You’ll find details about the change in the law here. We hope this helps.
Aurelio D.
If my wife is not legal in USA can she get benefits of some amount as my spouse?
KLJ
No – she would have to have a social security number to receive benefits
S.D.
Hi, Aurelio. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. For your wife to receive benefits, we must have evidence that she is lawfully present in the United States. To learn more, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Larry
I have been working 42 years I see that my benefits at 70 will be 4100.00 monthly.
My wife has not worked enough to collect on her own, we have been married 44 years. Is she entitled to collect any benefits of her own from SS.
JEM
If your spouse is not able to collect on her own record, she can collect on your record. It is called a spousal benefit.
Spousal benefit is based on your (higher wage earner’s) primary insurance amount or PIA. Spousal benefit maximum amount is 50% of the spouse’ PIA. The percentage depends when both parties file for benefits. Unlike the wager earner’s (your) benefit, spousal benefits do not increase after the spouse obtains their FRA.
In brief, spousal benefits are based on:
1. You must be collecting your benefit in order for spouse to collect a spousal benefit.
2. You file at your FRA. Spouse files at her FRA. Spouse will receive 50% of your PIA which is the maximum spousal benefit.
3. You file early. Spouse files at her FRA. You received a permanent reduced benefit amount. Spouse receives the maximum spousal benefit.
4. You file early. Spouse files early. Your receive a permanent reduced benefit amount. Your spouse not only receives a permanent reduction according to when she filed, but will also only receive 50% of your reduced amount. The maximum reduction is 35% off your PIA, depending on when both you file.
5. Your spouse files for benefits. You have not filed for benefits. Since you have not filed, your spouse can only collect on her record, if applicable. What the spouse collects on her record is permanent. Spousal benefits is null and void permanently.
S.D.
Hi, Larry. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. Your wife can apply for spouse’s benefits once you apply for your Social Security. If she is at least full retirement age when she starts getting spouse’s benefits, the amount should be 50% of your full retirement age benefit. Her spouse’s benefit will not include any delayed retirement credits you earned. However, your wife’s benefit as a surviving spouse would be based on your age 70 benefit. If you and your wife both have a personal my Social Security account, you can view an estimate of the benefits she could receive based on your earnings history. For more information, visit our Benefits for Spouses page. When you and your wife are ready to apply for Social Security, the most convenient way is to use our online application. We hope this helps.
Gwyn m.
I am disabled and so I was just wondering. Thank you
Gwyn m.
If I was forced to draw my Social security at 62 will my benefit ever increase besides getting the cola raise every year?
S.D.
Hi, Gwyn. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. There are advantages and disadvantages to taking your benefit before your full retirement age. The advantage is that you collect benefits for a longer period of time. The disadvantage is your benefit is usually permanently reduced. You will get annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) and, depending on your work history, you may receive higher benefits if you continue to work. To learn more, read our blog, Three Common Ways Your Social Security Payment Can Grow After Retirement. We hope this helps.
Daniel F.
How long do i have to wait to receive my first spousal benefit money?
Apprecated,
DF
S.D.
Thanks for reading our blog and for your question, Daniel. For privacy reasons, we do not have access to personal information in this venue. Application processing times vary. To learn how to check the status of your application, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. If you’re unable to create a personal my Social Security account, you can check status by using our automated telephone service by calling 1-800-772-1213. The service is available 24/7. When you hear “How can I help you today?” respond “Application status.” We hope this helps.
Marty
My wife caring for disabled husband (70) years
Is she eligible for benefits at 50 years
Thank you
S.D.
Thanks for reading our blog and for your question, Marty. We do not pay caregivers. However, your wife may be eligible for retirement benefits and spouse benefits on your work record as early as age 62. For more information, please visit our Benefits page. In addition, you and your wife may be eligible to receive social services from the state in which you live. These services include free meals, housekeeping help, transportation, and other assistance. To get information about services in your area, you will need to contact your state or local social services or welfare office. We hope this helps
Ramiro R.
If my ex wife collects social security when I retire can she claim my social security
DanO
If married at least 10 years then she could possibly be due additional benefits on your record.
Rosa m.
What if I can get benfits social security from my husband after been married 31 years and now divorced
S.D.
Hi, Rosa. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. To be eligible for divorced spouse benefits, you had to be married to your former husband at least 10 years, be currently unmarried, and not eligible for a higher benefit on your own record. To discuss your eligibility with a representative, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., or contact your local Social Security office. For more information, check out our Frequently Asked Questions and our What Every Woman Should Know publication. We hope this helps.
T.Y.
Hi, Ramiro. Thank you for reading our blog. If your spoouse is eligible on her own record, we will pay that amount first. If she is also eligible for a higher amount as a spouse, she’ll get a combination of benefits that equals that higher amount. Find more information here. We hope this helps.
Donna D.
I draw social security, but not a lot. Was wondering if I can draw an additional amount off my spouse’s social security ?
S.D.
Hi, Donna. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. Your spouse must be receiving benefits for you to get benefits on their work record. If you have questions about your eligibility for spouse’s benefits, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. We hope this helps.