Understanding Spouse’s Benefits
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: May 25, 2021
Marriage is a cultural institution that exists all over the world. Having a partner means sharing many things including a home and other property. Understanding how your future retirement might affect your spouse is important. When you’re planning for your fun and vibrant golden years, here are a few things to remember:
Your full spouse’s benefit could be up to 50 percent of your spouse’s full retirement age amount if you are full retirement age when you take it. If you qualify for your own retirement benefit and a spouse’s benefit, we always pay your own benefit first. You cannot receive spouse’s benefits unless your spouse is receiving his or her retirement benefits (except for divorced spouses). If you took your reduced retirement first while waiting for your spouse to reach retirement age, when you add spouse’s benefits later, your own retirement portion remains reduced which causes the total retirement and spouses benefit together to total less than 50 percent of the worker’s amount. You can find out more on our website.
On the other hand, if your spouse’s retirement benefit is higher than your retirement benefit, and he or she chooses to take reduced benefits and dies first, your survivor benefit will be reduced, but may be higher than what your spouse received.
If the deceased worker started receiving reduced retirement benefits before their full retirement age, a special rule called the retirement insurance benefit limit may apply to the surviving spouse. The retirement insurance benefit limit is the maximum survivor benefit you may receive. Generally, the limit is the higher of:
- The reduced monthly retirement benefit to which the deceased spouse would have been entitled if they had lived, or
- 82.5 percent of the unreduced deceased spouse’s monthly benefit if they had started receiving benefits at their full retirement age (rather than choosing to receive a reduced retirement benefit early).
Knowing how your finances affect your spouse’s can help both of you avoid future impacts on your incomes. When it comes to information, we have over 80 years of experience. Access a wealth of useful information by visiting our benefits planners.
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Tags: retirement, Social Security benefits
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Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Sandra
If I am full retirement age and still working, can I apply for widows benefits, regardless of income. I want to delay on my own record until I really retire.
Vonda
Hi Sandra, thanks for using our blog. You can get Social Security retirement or survivors benefits and work at the same time. However, there is a limit to how much you can earn and still receive full benefits. The amount you’re allowed to earn while receiving benefits depends on your age. If you attain full retirement age in 2021, the earnings limit is $50,520 but we only count earnings before the month you reach full retirement age. Beginning with the month you reach full retirement age, earnings no longer reduce your benefits, no matter how much you earn. If you’re under full retirement age for the entire year, then we deduct $1 from benefit payments for every $2 earned above the annual limit. For 2021, that limit is $18,960.
Visit our Receiving Benefits While Working web page for more details.
Angela V.
How do I transition from receiving spousal benefits to receiving my full retirement benefits? There is nowhere in “my Social Security” to change my benefit source.
Gerry W.
I am currently receiving spousal benefits from my wife’s account in 2020. I want to start receiving benefits from my own record starting in 2021. Can I do that online or do I need to contact SSA?
Vonda
Hi Gerry, thanks for using our blog. Our system is set up to take applications four months in advance, and when you’re ready, you can apply for your retirement benefits online.
If you are unable or would rather not apply online, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Maria C.
I filed a restricted application at age 66 to start taking spousal benefits. I will turn 70 on January 15, 2021 and I want to change my application to switch FROM spousal benefits TO receiving my own benefits (based on my own earnings history, etc.). I was born on 1-15-1951, so I know I am entitled to make this switch, but I cannot find out how to make this switch/filing on the SS website. How do I make this change in my application. Can I do this on-line or must I call the SS offices? Thanks
Vonda
Hi Maria, thanks for using our blog. Our system is set up to take applications four months in advance, and when you’re ready, you can apply for your retirement benefits online.
If you are unable or would rather not apply online, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Josie O.
My hubby is getting retirement benefits and works 40 hours a week
How much can he earned per year he started getting retirement benefits when he turned 66 I also receive spousal benefits thx
Vonda
Hi Josie, thanks for using our blog. The amount your husband is allowed to earn while receiving benefits depends on his age. If he attains full retirement age in 2021, the earnings limit is $50,520 but we only count earnings before the month he reaches full retirement age. Beginning with the month of full retirement age, earnings no longer reduce benefits, no matter how much is earned. If he is under full retirement age for the entire year, then we deduct $1 from benefit payments for every $2 earned above the annual limit. For 2021, that limit is $18,960.
Visit our Retirement Planner: Getting Benefits While Working for more details.
DONNA C.
Can I receive benefit if I get ssi if my husband passes away.
Mary L.
Can a “common law” wife receive spousal benefits
We were together 39 years and 7 months. He passed away and we were separated then.
Vonda
Hi Mary, thanks for using our blog. In cases where a common-law marriage may be involved, Social Security follows the state laws. So, check the laws in your state.
Widows benefit are payable as early as age 60 (for a reduced benefit) or a full widows benefit at full retirement age or older. Check out our Survivors Planner for more details.
Becky C.
Hi my mother applied for SSA and was denied because she never worked as she was a housewife. Can she still apply for spousal benefit since my father is receiving SSA benefits currently? Thank you
Vonda
Hi Becky, thanks for using our blog. Even if your mother has never worked under Social Security, she still may be able to get spouse’s benefits if she is at least 62 years of age and your father is receiving retirement or disability benefits. Visit our Retirement Planner: Benefits For You As A Spouse for more information.
neftali a.
aim retired and collecting SS benefits and my wife is 62 years old but she has not worked outside the home ?is she intitled to receive SS benefits?
Vonda
Hi Neftali, thanks for using our blog. Your spouse may be able to get benefits if she is at least age 62 and you are getting retirement or disability benefits. Check out our Retirement Planner: Benefits For Your Spouse for more information.
If your wife is ready to apply, she can file for spouse’s benefits online.
If she is unable or does not want to apply for benefits online, she can schedule an appointment by calling us at 1-800-772-1213 or she can contact her local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
We hope this helps!
pjs
1. If a spouse receives disability at what age can the spouse apply for spousal benefits under their partners social security?
2. Why does social security not inform people that this benefit exists?
3.How are people suppose to know this benefit exists?
4. Are calls to the call centers logged and recorded? If so; how can one request a call log and call information?
4. We called a call center and asked the person to explain our benefits to us and how they work together after receiving a letter from social security. We explained our age difference, that one was receiving disability and the other was not working but the person failed to inform us about spousal benefit. Explained about death benefit. That my spouses income would be more if he waited before filing to receive and that in the long run could benefit me once he died and I could request his benefit instead of mine. Isn’t this misinformation as it prevented me from knowing about this benefit and applying for it sooner?
5. I received a letter talking about starting retirement benefits. It did not inform about benefits I qualified for under my wife’s record.
This misinformation and lack of information prevented me from filing for benefits I was entitled to. Please contact me as we had conversations with the call centers that should be recorded. I would like access to them.
Gwendolyn M.
My spouse receives disability benefits would I also be able to get benefits under his name also
Vonda
Hi Gwendolyn, thanks for using our blog. You may be able to get spouses benefits if you are at least 62 years of age and your spouse is receiving retirement or disability benefits. Visit our Retirement Planner: Benefits For You As A Spouse for more information.