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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John
My wife started taking my spousal benefits at her full retirement age. At the time I applied and then suspended my benefits. I received my first benefit today. When I applied to have my benefits start I thought I requested that the spousal benefits she was receiving end. However today in addition to my benefit she still received a spousal benefit payment as well. I want to stop that benefit so she can receive benefits under her earnings record next year when she reaches full retirement age. Is that possible? Thank you.
V.V.
Hi John, thank you for your question. When someone files prior to their full retirement age, and they are eligible for benefits both as a retired worker and as a spouse, they must apply for both benefits and they’ll receive the higher of the two benefits. This requirement is called “deemed filing” because when you apply for one benefit you are “deemed” to have also applied for the other.
To inquire about potential benefits, your wife will need to contact her 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.
John
Hi Vonda. Thanks very much for your response. I made a mistake in the wording of my original question. My wife started receiving spousal benefits under my earnings record back in 2016–her full retirement age. I wanted to stop those spousal benefits now that I’m collectiing benefits. I want for her to start collecting under her own earnings record in Feb 2021 when she turns 70. Is that possible? Thank you.
A.C.
Hi, John. Your wife will need to contact us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to schedule an appointment to file for benefits on her own record. She can also contact her local Social Security office for assistance. We hope this helps.
Orville
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Gloria V.
Hello am 62 yrs old woman divorce for 13 years can I apply for his Social security am on SSD AND SSI
V.V.
Thank you for your question, Gloria. If you are divorced, but your marriage lasted 10 years or longer, you can receive benefits on your ex-spouse’s record if:
• you are unmarried;
• you are age 62 or older;
• Your ex-spouse is entitled to Social Security retirement or disability benefits and,
• The benefit you are entitled to receive based on your own work is less than the benefit you would receive based on your ex-spouse’s work.
See our Retirement Planner: If You’re Divorced for other eligibility requirements and more detailed information. To see if you qualify for a higher benefit than what you are currently receiving, you may call our toll free telephone number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. or contact your local office directly.
Nancy
I am a widow and am receiving my late spouse’s social security which was full disability. He was 67 when he died. If I remarried, can I still collect it or do I lose it?
V.V.
Hi Nancy, thank you for your question. Widows that remarry after age 60 (age 50 if disabled), may continue to qualify for benefits on their deceased spouse’s Social Security record. If your new spouse is a Social Security beneficiary, you may want to apply for spouse’s benefits on that record. If that amount is higher, you may be entitled to the higher amount, based on both records. Generally, you must be married for one year before you can get spouse’s benefits.
Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions web page to see how marriage can affect Social Security benefits. We hope this helps!
Joy
If I apply for spousal benefits at age 63 when my Husband applies for his delayed benefits at age 68, will I qualify for his benefit amount ( The Survivor Benefit) if he dies before I do? Or will it be reduced because I first applied at 63?
V.V.
Hi Joy, thank you for your question. The amount of your widows benefit is based on several factors, including: the earnings of the person who died, when the deceased worker started receiving their benefits, your age at the time of your spouse’s death, and the amount of your own retirement benefit. We compare your own benefit with your potential survivor benefit. If your survivor benefit would be higher than your own current retirement benefit at the time of your spouse’s passing, you would be eligible for survivor benefits.
Typically, a widow or widower at full (survivors) retirement age or older generally receives 100% of the deceased worker’s amount, a widow or widower under full retirement age receives about 71 to 99 percent of the worker’s benefit amount, and a widow or widower with a child younger than age 16 receives 75 percent of the worker’s benefit amount.
For more information about how much your benefit would be, visit our Survivors Planner.
Mary H.
Hello, my name is Mary Hogan. I’m disable and I am receiving disability compensation from what I have earn for working. My Ex-husband is presently receiving retirement benefit at the age of 65. We were married for 16 years. I am 60 years old and I have never remarried. I would like to know when I can receive benefits from my ex?
V.V.
Hello Mary, thank you for your question.
You can receive benefits on your ex-spouse’s record if:
• You are age 62 or older;
• You were legally married to your ex-spouse for at least 10 years;
• You are unmarried;
• Your ex-spouse is entitled to Social Security retirement or disability benefits and,
• The benefit you are entitled to receive based on your own work is less than the benefit you would receive based on your ex-spouse’s work.
For more information, please visit our Retirement Planner: If You Are Divorced.
Michael K.
I retired at age 63 and currently receive $1,950 a month. My wife retired at age 63 and receives around $1,000.00 a month. If I should die first how much would my wife receive in benefits. If my wife died first how much would I receive? Thank you so much for your assistance.
V.V.
Hi Michael, thank you for your question. The amount of a widows benefit is based on several factors, including: the earnings of the person who died, when the deceased worker started receiving their benefits, the survivors age at the time of their spouse’s death, and the amount of one’s own retirement benefit. We will compare your own benefit with your potential survivor benefit. If your survivor benefit would be higher than your own current retirement benefit at the time of your spouse’s passing, you would be eligible for survivor benefits.
Typically, a widow or widower at full (survivors) retirement age or older generally receives 100% of the deceased worker’s amount, a widow or widower under full retirement age receives about 71 to 99 percent of the worker’s benefit amount, and a widow or widower with a child younger than age 16 receives 75 percent of the worker’s benefit amount. For more information about how much your benefit would be, visit our Survivors Planner.
Jocelyn N.
I was applied a benefits for my daughter as a survivor benefits on the 4th of June ,2018 for my husband passed away on the 19th of September,2017.I got a $255 lump sum check but my 9 yrs old daughter never receive a benefits until now.I was laid off again to my job and I need the assistance money what ever my daughter got, because even for a gas money i dont have since to start my job slow and completely gone now.I was called the SSA to follow up but they said i need more to send another document and probably the bank statement because I gave only few bank statement i have. And when I do request to the bank they will cost me up to $500 dollar pay. From the year 2011 until 2017 my husband died.And I will cancell it. Im so really helpless and frustrated for some bill and food for a daily living right now.
If there someone read this and help me i will really appreciate.
Harold F.
Does my wife receive my full SS payment if I pass away which is more than her SS payment?
V.V.
Hi Harold, thank you for your question. The amount a widow(er) can receive is based on several factors, including: the earnings of the person who died, when the deceased worker started receiving their benefits, survivors age at the time of spouse’s death, and the amount of their own retirement benefit.
If your wife became a widow, we would compare her own benefit with the potential survivor benefit. If the survivor benefit would be higher than her own, she would be eligible for the higher survivor benefit.
Typically, a widow or widower at full (survivors) retirement age or older generally receives 100% of the deceased worker’s amount, a widow or widower under full retirement age receives about 71 to 99 percent of the worker’s benefit amount, and a widow or widower with a child younger than age 16 receives 75 percent of the worker’s benefit amount. For more information about how much your benefit would be, visit our Survivors Planner.
joan w.
my husband died 02/06/19 he was receiving SS as well a me. his benefit was higher than mine can I drop mine and take his.
A.C.
Hi, Joan. We are sorry to hear of your loss. You could be eligible for survivor benefits based on your husband’s earnings. To see if you are eligible contact us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday or visit your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.