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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Dale
My wife took early retirement at 62. I am filing for disability at age 59. Just received a letter stating they are changing her ss payment date from the 4th Wed, of every month to a payment on the 1st of the month. Does this have anything to do with my disability paper work?
A.C.
Hi, Dale. Thanks for your question. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community to work with their local office on specific questions about their case. We hope this helps.
Cat R.
Please find an English language copy editor for this text. It makes no sense and not at all clear or understandable.
David J.
My birthday is 3/8/52 husband age 66. My wife was born 8/25/54 age 64. We are both still working but considering retiring this year. If my wife starts collecting SS at 66 and I hold off until 70 for example can I collect 50% of hers ~9k? If I wait until age 70 to receive SS about what age would I break even? I will receive ~30k now and 36k at 70. I may consider 4/5 years but 8/9 years is a bit long.
Louise A.
a. This year my SS benefit will be 40.57% of my husband’s SS benefit. My benefit is based solely on my husband’s benefit.
Question: If my husband passes away (let’s say mid-year) before I pass away, how much will I receive based on my husband’s benefit?
(I thought it would be increased from the amount I currently receive to an amount equal to 100% of his benefit.)
Your explanation talks about different situations, but it only confused me.
Robert F.
Providing a simple example to accompany your explanation would be very helpful. There is much information and the repeated use of the word, “spouse” is somewhat confusing.
I appreciate receiving your notices.
Geraldine H.
I am still confused. I began receiving benefits at 62. My husband did not receive benefits until later. So there was no known amount at the time I began to ask for spousal benefits as my spouse was not yet receiving benefits. I am now 69 and he is 72. Can I apply for spousal benefits or am I excluded from spousal benefits because I filed early.
A.C.
Hi, Geraldine. If a person begins to receive benefits at age 62 or prior to their full retirement age, their benefits are reduced. The reduction factors are permanently applied to all of the benefits the person may qualify for once they opt to start benefits at age 62 or at any time prior to their full retirement age. You may still be eligible to collect reduced benefits on your spouse’s record. Remember, if you qualify for your own retirement benefits and for benefits as a spouse, we always pay your own benefits first. If your benefits as a spouse are higher than your own retirement benefits, you will get a combination of benefits equaling the higher spouse benefit. See our Retirement Planner: Benefits For You As A Spouse for more information. To see if you qualify for a higher benefit than what you are currently receiving, contact your local office or you may call our toll-free telephone number at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and ask a representative to assist you. We hope this helps.
Ann
What if the husband dies? in this same scenario?
Bruce R.
I would like to increase my deduction from 15% to 20%
Bruce R. Sharek
339 Siena Vista Place
Sun City Center FL 33573
813.938.5566
*** – ** – ***
A.C.
Hi, Bruce. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. In order to have taxes withheld from your Social Security benefit, you must start by printing, completing and submitting an IRS Voluntary Withholding Request Form (Form W-4V). On this form, you can choose to have 7, 10, 12, or 22 percent of your monthly benefit withheld. To find this form, and for more information on completing this process, visit our Benefits Planner-Withholding Income Tax From Your Social Security Benefits. Just a reminder – please be cautious about posting personal information on social media. We hope this helps.
Mike
I am still working and I will be taking SS at full retirement age (66 and 2 months) in 2 years. My wife has been taking SS since age 62. She is 5 months older than me. What are my options when choosing spousal benefits?
A.C.
Thanks for your question, Mike. If you are eligible for retirement benefits on your own record, we pay that amount first. If the benefit on your spouse’s record is higher, you will get an additional amount on that record so that the combination of benefits equals that higher amount. Find more information at our Benefits Planner: Benefits for Your Spouse. For additional assistance, contact us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. and ask a representative to assist you. Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week. You can also contact your local office. We hope this helps.
Shirley M.
Can I collect additional benefits from my ex-spouse ?
A.C.
Hi, Shirley. To be eligible for divorced spouse benefits, you had to be married to your former spouse for at least 10 years, you must be age 62 or over, and you cannot be eligible for a higher benefit on your own record. For more information on how to qualify for divorced spouse benefits, check out our Benefits Planner: If You Are Divorced. Hope this helps!
Audrey A.
My spouse died on July 31, 2018. Michael E. Janicki. My name is Audrey A. Janicki, To date I have not received notification of Widow’s benefits for me. Have not received burial allowance, nor adjusted monthly payment, Have made numerous calls as well as filled out form sent after his death.
V.V.
Thank you for contacting us, Audrey. We are very sorry for your loss. Unfortunately, and because of security reasons, we do not have access to personal records in this blog and cannot assist you.
To inquire on the status of your benefits, you will have to contact your local office or call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.