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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Terence M.
If my wife is 66 years old can she collect half of what my benefits were when I was 66. How do I find out what she will be able to collect.
L.A.
Hi Terence. Thank you for your question. You can find information at our Retirement Planner: Benefits For Your Spouse. We hope this helps.
Gerard S.
My wife and I were both born in 1953. We both turned 62 in 2015. We both will reach our FRA this year, 2019. Neither one of us has yet to file for any Social Security benefit. I believe we are grandfathered into the old law which was changed in 2016. My spouses benefit has been estimated at less than 50% of my benefit. I want to wait until I am 70 to take my benefit. When we have both reached our FRA in a few months, can I file and suspend my benefit and my wife begin taking her spousal benefit at that time?
V.V.
Hi Gerard, thank you for your question. Once you are full retirement age, but not yet age 70, you absolutely can ask us to suspend retirement benefit payments. However, if you voluntarily suspend your retirement benefit and you have others who receive benefits on your record, they will not be able to receive benefits for the same period that your benefits are suspended.
Because you were born before January 2, 1954, the deemed filing rules do not apply to you if you wait to file at your full retirement age or later. This means that you may file for either your spouse’s benefit or your retirement benefit without being required or “deemed” to file for the other. See our Deemed Filing For Retirement And Spouse’s Benefits FAQs web page for details.
Joan j.
When my husband retired I chose to take his Social Security..What happened to all the money I paid in to Social Security? I’m 74 ..can I collect it now? If not..where did it go? If my husband dies…how much will my Social Security check be? I was on hold for over an hour..
pam l.
my husband will not retire for seveal more years 7, I haven’t worked for 15 years can I collect my social security or his if I don’t have enough time in?
L.A.
Thank you for your question, Pam. To qualify for spouse’s benefits, your husband must be receiving retirement or disability benefits. Also, when you qualify for Social Security benefits on your own record, we pay that amount first. But if you also qualify 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 You As A Spouse for more information. We hope this helps.
kay m.
I have married a second time and would like to know if my benefits would be more with my second husband
A.C.
Hi, Kay. To qualify for spouse’s benefits, your husband must be receiving retirement or disability benefits. Also, when you qualify for Social Security benefits on your own record, we pay that amount first. But if you also qualify 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 You As A Spouse for more information. For specific questions about potential benefits as a spouse, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Verna
My husband and I are 67 years of age (both born in 1952). My husband’s retirement benefits, with Social Security, will be much greater than mine (he is the main income). I am debating on collecting my Social Security now and he is waiting to wait until he is 70. After reading this article, it’s my understanding I could go head and collect my Social Security, now, and when my husband collects his, at a later date, I will be bumped up to the amount that equals half of his amount at full retirement years (66) but I will not receive the prolonged retirement amount (8% per year and additional income from him working longer). Is this correct? At death, I could receive a higher amount (a portion of his earnings for prolonging retirement). Is this correct?
Is there any benefit(s) for me not to collect my Social Security, now; would there be any perks for me to prolong collecting?
I was told I could collect social security and, still, continue to work, earning any yearly amount and not be penalized (taxes) because I am, now, over 66 years old. I thought you had to be 70. What can you tell me about this?
What about “File and Suspend”. I heard it was done away with but it’s back but kind of questionable. Can you explain what, if any, benefits there are to this?
V.V.
Hi Verna: Beginning with the month you reach full retirement age, your earnings no longer reduce your benefits, no matter how much you earn. However, by delaying receiving your benefits beyond your full retirement age, you will receive a higher benefit amount. See our Delayed Retirement Credits web page for details.
The decision on when to file is a personal one. The most important thing is to make an informed decision. Base your decision about when to apply for benefits on your individual and family circumstances. As an individual, you have four basic choices when it comes to work and retirement. Consider the four options laid out in our benefit matrix to help you make the best decision for you.
If your full retirement benefit amount is less than half of your spouse’s full retirement benefit amount, you may be eligible for additional spouse’s benefits on his record when your spouse files. You can file for your own retirement benefit when you decide the appropriate time, and if your spouse files later, we will look into additional spouse’s benefits at that time.
Our system is set up to take applications four months in advance, and when you’re ready, you can apply for your benefits online. If you need further assistance call our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask to speak with one of our representatives, who are available Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Janet K.
I appealed my widows survivor social security denial a year ago. He passed away in 2016. How can I find out the status?
V.V.
Thank you for contacting us, Janet. Unfortunately, and because of security reasons, we do not have access to personal records in this blog and cannot assist you.
To inquire about your appeal, 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.
Damon G.
Terrible . Not everything can be answered.
Monica S.
Hello, im having trouble finding out if my age will mame a difference when my husband passes away? He is in his late 60’s early 70’s and took an early retirement at 62. My question to you is do i have to be a certain age in order to receive survivor benefits? I will be 50 June 15th 2020. Thank you
A.C.
Hi, Monica. You are eligible to apply for survivor benefits when you reach age 60 (age 50 or over if disabled). You can find more information on our Benefits Planner: Survivors web page. Thanks!
Margie K.
To Whom it May Concern: My name is Margie Kay Shaddox. I want to apply to start receiving Social Security benefits from my spouse, Roger Lee Clemens. I need Your help in assisting me with what & how I should do this, what do I need for applying & What application form should I use, & Etc. Hopefully You can help me. Thank You in advance for helping me Sincerely, Margie Kay Shaddox
V.V.
Hi Margie, thank you for your question. You can complete an application for Retirement, Spouse’s, Medicare or Disability Benefits online.
If you do not wish to use the online application, you can make an appointment by calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. or you can contact your local Social Security office.
Please note, under existing law, if you are eligible for benefits both as a retired worker and as a spouse, you must apply for both benefits and you’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.
However, if you turn 62 before January 2, 2016, deemed filing rules will not apply if you wait to file at your full retirement age or later. This means that you may file for either your spouse’s benefit or your retirement benefit without being required or “deemed” to file for the other. Visit our Deemed Filing For Retirement And Spouse’s Benefits FAQs web page for details.