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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Michael T.
If I read this correctly, it means that both spouses must be at full retirement age in order to benefit 50% of the others benefit, if it’s less than the amount of the other’s benefit. Correct?
Debbie K.
I want to know this answer as well. And if true, what is the percentage of receiving spousal benefits sooner that full retirement age?
V.V.
Hi Michael, thank you for reading our blog post. We will always pay a person’s own retirement benefit first. If their benefits as a spouse are higher than their own retirement benefits, they will get a combination of benefits equaling the higher spouse benefit. However, keep in mind that a spouse’s benefit cannot exceed one-half of the worker’s full retirement amount (not their reduced benefit amount). So, a person is only going to receive additional spouse’s benefits if their own full retirement benefit (not their reduced benefit) is less than half of their spouse’s full retirement benefit.
For example, if a worker’s full retirement benefit amount is $1,100, the spousal benefit is 50 percent of that, or $550. However, if that spouse is eligible for a full retirement benefit on their own record of $400, then their actual spouse’s benefit would be an additional $150 which equals that 50 percent. If the spouse waited until their full retirement age to file, they would receive one payment of $550, even though $400 was from their own retirement record and $150 was from their spouse’s record. Spouses benefits are reduced if the individual files prior to their full retirement age.
Beverly M.
My husband and I were born in 1941, We both retired at age 65. Husband took his full benefits; I took my full benefits,too. His benefits are higher than mine. In the event his death is before mine I understand I would be entitled to his full benefits rather than mine. . Is this correct?
I look forward to your reply.
V.V.
Hi Beverly, 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.
joycesill6984@hotmail.com
why does it take so long to receive spouse benefits for a disabled spouse I don’t understand thank you
michael l.
My wife has died how do i apply for the death benefits
Karen
If you marry after retirement and a spouse dies, do you receive their social security benefits or is there a waiting time? We are a healthy 67 & 64 and both receive SS benefits.
A.C.
Hi, Karen. A surviving spouse may be eligible for benefits. For more information, please go to our Survivors Planner page and read our publication: How Social Security Can Help – When A Family Member Dies. We hope this helps.
Cynthia B.
I’m 52 and on disability SSI, can I claim my ex husband’s social security if it’s higher than mine? He’s still presently employed. I have never remarried. We divorced after 11 years of marriage.
A.C.
Hi, Cynthia. To be eligible for divorced spouse benefits, you had to be married to your former spouse for at least 10 years, your former spouse has to be entitled to a Social Security retirement or disability benefit, you must be age 62 or older, and you cannot be eligible for a higher benefit on your own record. For more information on how to qualify for divorced spouse benefits, visit our Benefits Planner: If You Are Divorced. Hope this helps!
Rigoberto P.
My exwife received benefits from my account now my second wife for 20 years of marriage is 62 would she be qualified for some benefits
A.C.
Hi, Rigoberto. For your second wife to qualify for spouse’s benefits, you must be receiving retirement or disability benefits. Also, if she qualifies for Social Security benefits on her own record, we pay that amount first. But if she also qualifies for a higher amount as a spouse later on, you’ll get a combination of benefits that equals that higher amount. Visit our Retirement Planner: Benefits For Your Spouse for more information. We hope this helps.
Anne R.
How long must one be married in order to receive spousal benefits. My partner is retired and receiving benefits. I am 62 1/2 yrs old and still working. We are not marriaged presently.
Sarah
I’m currently get survivor spouse benefits. When I begin to receive my SS benefit will that be added to my survivor benefit or replace part of what I’m getting now?
A.C.
Hi, Sarah. If your retirement benefit would be higher than your current survivors benefit, you can switch to the higher benefit. For more information, check out our Benefits Planner: If You Are The Survivor web page. We hope this helps.
Linda E.
My husband passed away in April of 2015. He was receiving Social Security Disability. I will be turning 60 in September of 2019. I understand that I will have to go to the Social Security Office to apply for Widow’s Benefits. Do I need a replacement Social Security Statement for my husband? I want to make sure I have the right documentation when I go.