Do You Qualify for Social Security Spouse’s Benefits?
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: August 24, 2023
Social Security benefits are a crucial part of millions of Americans’ retirement income.
If you don’t have enough Social Security credits to qualify for benefits on your own record, you may be able to receive benefits on your spouse’s record.
To qualify for spouse’s benefits, you must be one of the following:
- 62 years of age or older.
- Any age and have in your care a child younger than age 16, or who has a disability and is entitled to receive benefits on your spouse’s record.
Your full spouse’s benefit could be up to one-half the amount your spouse is entitled to receive at their full retirement age. If you choose to receive your spouse’s benefits before you reach full retirement age, you will get a permanently reduced benefit.
If you wait until you reach full retirement age to receive benefits, you’ll receive your full spouse’s benefit amount, which is up to one-half the amount your spouse can receive. You’ll 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 receive benefits on your spouse’s record.
If you’re eligible to receive retirement benefits on your own record, we will pay that amount first. If your benefits as a spouse are higher than your own retirement benefits, you will get a combination of benefits that equal the higher spouse benefit.
For example, Sandy qualifies for a retirement benefit of $1,000 and a spouse’s benefit of $1,250. At 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.
Want to apply for either your or your spouse’s benefits? Are you at least 61 years and nine months old? If you answered yes to both, visit our website to get started today.
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. You can find out more by visiting our Benefits For Your Family page for more information.
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Tags: Children, General Information, retirement benefits, Social Security benefits, survivors benefits
See CommentsAbout the Author
Dawn Bystry, Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
Comments
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Jim F.
Hello,
My wife worked and qualified for her own benefit. I started collecting my benefit and now my wife is going to collect spousal benefits based on my benefits. She just turned 62. We received the letter for what she qualifies for and it is higher than expected. We expected 32.5% of mine which would be more than hers. However she will get her own plus a calculated amount for spousal benefits. This amount seems to be approximately 44%. Will she get more than 32.5% of mine because of the years she worked? I thought it would be just the higher of the two.
Thanks
Sandra M.
How do I apply for my spousal benefits
Rose B.
I need to apply for spousal benefits.
Sue
Thanks for reading our blog, Rose. To apply for spouse’s benefits, we recommend you use our convenient online application. If you prefer to schedule an appointment or if you have questions about your eligibility for benefits, please call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. For information about what you need to apply for spouse’s benefits, visit here. We hope this helps.
Sue
Hi, Sandra. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. If you do not receive Social Security benefits, we recommend you use our convenient online application to apply for spouse’s benefits. If you already receive your own Social Security retirement benefits, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to discuss your eligibility for spouse’s benefits. Or you can contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Sue
Hi, Jim. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. If your wife has questions about her benefit amount, she can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Or she can contact her local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Jeff B.
I have just applied for SS. My wife would like to apply for spousal benefits now as we have a child under 16. Can she apply while my application is being processed? Does she have to wait till my application has been approved? Till I receive my first check? She did not work and has not reached minimum age for retirement. Thank you.
Sue
Hi, Jeff. If your wife is taking care of your child who is under the age of 16, she may be able to receive spouse’s benefits until your youngest child turns 16. For more information, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. Now that you’ve applied for Social Security, the most convenient way for your wife to apply for spouse’s benefits is online. If she prefers, she can schedule an appointment by calling us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. We hope this helps.
Mrs D.
Hi. I stayed home to take care of my children and so I don’t have enough contributions to qualify for benefits. I am now almost 57 and my husband is only 48. When will I qualify for spousal benefits?
Sue
Hi, Mrs. D. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. You cannot start your reduced spouse’s benefits until your husband receives his Social Security benefits. He can begin reduced retirement benefits as early as age 62. For more information about spouse’s benefits, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Cheryl N.
I am 3 years older than my big earning spouse. If I start receiving benefits on my own record at age 63 and what happens when I am 70 (assuming my husband waits to full retirement age)? Is the amount I get as a spouse reduced from what it could have been had I waited until I was full retirement age. Thank you.
Sue
Hi, Cheryl. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. You can start receiving reduced retirement benefits as early as age 62. Once your husband applies for his Social Security, you can then apply for spouse’s benefits. If your benefits as a spouse are greater than your own retirement benefits, you may be eligible for a combination of benefits equaling the higher amount. However, your spouse’s benefit will be less than half your husband’s full retirement age benefit if you take your benefits before your full retirement age. For more information about spouse’s benefits, visit our Benefits Planner. When you and your husband are ready to apply for benefits, the most convenient way is to use our online application. We hope this helps.
Sally
If you are divorced and your ex spouse will receive a higher SS are you eligible for his benefits over yours?
Sue
Hi, Sally. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. To be eligible for divorced spouse benefits, you had to be married to your former spouse 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.
Paul P.
My wife is three years older than I am. If she retires at age 62 and receives benefits based on her own earnings for three years, does this early retirement date also apply to spouse benefits she may later receive (after I start receiving my own benefits)? That is, will the calculation of her spouse benefit assume that she started receiving benefits at age 62, even if she applies for spouse benefits only at age 65? (The deemed filing rule seems confusing: If she applies for her own benefit at age 62, she is not yet eligible for spouse benefits.)
This is all complicated, but I like how you try to make it understandable on various webpages.
Thank you!
Sue
Hi, Paul. Thanks for reading our blog and for your questions. Your wife cannot apply for spouse’s benefits until you receive your Social Security benefits. If her benefits as a spouse are greater than her own retirement benefit, she’ll get a combination of benefits equaling the higher spouse amount. However, her amount will not be half your benefit because she took reduced benefits before her full retirement age. 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. To learn more about spouse’s benefits, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. When you and your wife are ready to apply for benefits, the most convenient way is to use our online application. We hope this helps.
Melissa S.
I will start receiving social security retirement benefits in April, does my spouse have to be retired also and receiving benefits in order for me to get some of his benefits. Can’t seem to find an answer.
Sue
Hi, Melissa. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. You cannot apply for spouse’s benefits until your husband is receiving his Social Security benefits. Once you apply, if your benefits as a spouse are greater than your own retirement benefit, you’ll get a combination of benefits equaling the higher spouse amount. For more information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Jestee M.
I draw survival pay from husbands social security I started at the age of 60 and now that I am at the age of 65 can I get part of mine along with hih?
Sue
Hi, Jestee. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. If you’re eligible for benefits on your own work record, you can switch from surviving spouse benefits to your own retirement, if the amount is greater. If you start your retirement benefits at 65 – before your full retirement age – your monthly amount will be reduced. To discuss your filing options with a representative, please 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. When you’re ready, the most convenient way to apply for retirement benefits is online. We hope this helps.
marie R.
Very confusing web site.
Does not answer my question!!
If a non working wife collects benefits on her retired husbands benefits are his benefits reduced?
Thank you for your time and the information.
Sue
Hi, Marie. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. Benefits paid to a spouse will not reduce her retired husband’s benefits. For more information, visit our Retirement Planner. We hope this helps.
Chap G.
I agree with Marie R. that the SSA web site is confusing. I, too, could not find the answer to the same question. Thank you for providing the answer.
Debbie A.
Is the spousal benefit available to everyone or do you have to of been born before 1954
Sue
Hi, Debbie. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. Spouse’s benefits are available to people born in 1954 or later. However, under existing law, if you’re eligible for benefits both as a retired worker and as a spouse, you must apply for both benefits, 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 also applied for the other benefit. Deemed filing rules do not apply to people born before 1/2/1954. You can learn more at Filing Rules for Retirement and Spouses Benefits. We hope this helps.