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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Edwina
I received disability social security in 2016. I was 64 yrs. old at the time. Then I reached 66 yrs of age and was told I will no longer receive disability social security benefits and would begin to receive my regular earned social security benefits which was this year. However since my husbands earned social security is higher than mines, can I get his social security benefits instead, as I was not able to get his benefits since I was getting disability benefits.
A.C.
Thank you for your question, Edwina. 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, 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.
S. S.
My mother passed on 5/31/19. She drew SS benefits from my father. Will his benefit increase now that she is no longer drawing?
A.C.
Hi. Thanks for your question. Typically, your father’s benefit would remain the same based on the information you provided. For his security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. He can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance with specific questions. Generally, he will have a shorter wait if he calls later in the day. He can also contact his local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Marcia B.
I was receiving disablility benefits but turned 66 in april and am now receiving social security benefits. I am divorced for over a year now. My ex started collecting benefits when he turned 66. He is now 70. Can I take a spousal benefit even though we are divorced?
A.C.
Hi, Marcia. Thanks for your question. To be eligible for divorced spouse benefits, you had to be married to your former spouse for at least 10 years, 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 web page. We hope this helps.
Gregory M.
have you heard of glove for life ?
Patrick E.
My wife and I are both retired and we were both born in 1948. My wife took Social Security at 64 and I took a spousal benefit on her account until I was 70 and then I took my full Social Security. I read that she might be able to apply for something called “spousal supplement” (not “spousal benefit”). I don’t know if this would be more than we are now getting. My (husband’s) monthly check is $2840 and my wife’s check is $1083. Can you shed any light on any benefit from my wife applying for a spousal supplement?
A.C.
Hi, Patrick. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. 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.
Charles H.
I was married for 30 yrs to my wife we got divorced but she passed away 6 yrs ago . I’m I able to get social security off of hers
A.C.
Hi, Charles. If you are the divorced spouse of a worker who died and you are not married, you could get benefits just the same as a widow or widower. For more information, please visit our web page, Survivors Planner: If You’re The Worker’s Surviving Divorced Spouse. We hope this information helps.
Clifford G.
Will my spouse loose any of her disability if retire early?
L.A.
Hi, Clifford. Thanks for your questions. If you are referring to your own retirement benefits affecting your wife’s disability, it depends on what type of benefit she is receiving. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are based on earnings and are not subject to income and resource limits. If she is receiving SSDI, your income and resources would not affect her benefits. The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program is a needs-based program that pays benefits to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources. If your wife is receiving SSI, your income could affect her benefit. For more information visit our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
William
How long does a spouse has to be married to receive my social security death benefits?
A.C.
Hi, William. Thanks for your questions. Qualifying widow or widowers must have been married to the deceased spouse for at least 9 months and have not remarried before the age of 60 (50, if disabled). For more information on Survivors Benefits, visit here. We hope this helps.
Debra C.
Change email address I put it in wrong
A.C.
Hi, Debra. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. If you need assistance with your personal my Social Security account, you may:
•Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”; or
•Contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Mark M.
I am an American Citizen living in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa. I am 74 years old, My wife and I have been married for 22 years, she is a South African Citizen. If I die, will she be able to collect my social security until she dies?
Mark Gavrill
*** – ** – ***
A.C.
Hi, Mark. Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions web page to learn more about Social Security benefits and non-citizens. We recommend that individuals living outside the United States contact their local Federal Benefits Unit for any assistance related to Social Security benefits. Also, our Office of International Operations home page provides more information to assist our customers living abroad. We hope this information helps.