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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diane A.
I took retirement benefit at age 62. My husband was on SSD and now his benefit is higher than mine. Can I get a spousal supplement ?
Gayle M.
Hello, I am a disabled woman RECEIVING SSDI & a small Pemsiom (early retirememt). I am age 63. My divorced spouse is now age 65 & receiving Social Security retirement benefits. We were married 27 years. I never remarried. Am I entitled to any Benefits under my ex- spouse? If so, how do I proceed to apply for benefits. My ex spouse remarried & divorced. Will that affect any benefits in my behalf? Thank you.
John P.
My wife pass away 1 Nov 2018. I have trying to collect the $255.00. I have contacted SS and received a letter with the with form SSA-1724 Dec 2018. The received letter request Marriage Certificate. Then received letter16 Feb 2019 with the return of the Marriage Certificate.. Have call SS 5 TIMES with no help. Set up a phone call for 10;00 am on the 21 June. SS did not call. What do I need to do to clean up the problem it has been going on for 8 Months. Please help. Wife Audrey M Schmitz. Our address is 9298 Rollingwood DR Pomfret Maryland 20675
Jack B.
I am drawing full retirement at age 66 plus.
Can my wife start to draw when she turns 62 next year and then again at 66 plus and recieve half of mine?
james s.
I have received a call from Social Security stating that my social security number has been frozen because of suspect activity. What do I need to do to keep my account active. I would call you but your 800 number doesn’t work in Canada. Please answer my question or give me a phone number that works. my SS number is *** – ** – ***
Sue
I am 5 years older than my husband. I retired at age 62 and I’m receiving my SSI. My husband won’t be able to get his full retirement until age 67. When he retires at age 67 and receives his SSI, would I be eligible to receive half of his benefit instead of mine. Half of his is more than mine.
Thank you
L.A.
Hi Sue. Good question! Keep in mind if you qualify on your own record, we will 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. You can find more information about spouses benefits here. We hope this helps.
dave p.
im asking for my girlfriend whose spouse died about 5 years ago and he was collecting benefits at time of his death, she is 63 and still working is she entitled to collecting his benefits and would it be retro. thank you
A.C.
Hi, Dave. Thanks for your questions. There are no retroactive payments for reduced benefits. Survivors benefits are payable as early as age 60 (age 50 or over if disabled); however, since she is under her full retirement age, she is subject to an earnings limit. We hope this helps.
Joseph D.
My spouse completed paperwork with Social Security today, June18, 2019. When will her benefits begin
A.C.
Hi, Joseph. For your wife’s security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community to continue to work with our offices with specific questions. She can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Generally, she will have a shorter wait if she calls later in the day. She can also contact her local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Sue
I am 5 years younger than my husband. I retired at age 62 and I’m receiving my SSI. My husband won’t be able to get his full retirement until age 67. When he retires at age 67 and receives his SSI, would I be eligible to receive half of his benefit instead of mine. Half of his is more than mine.
Thank you.
debra b.
need help on how to report disabled husbands death and how to collect burial benefits
A.C.
Hi, Debra. We are sorry to hear about your loss. Typically, funeral homes report deaths to the Social Security Administration directly. You can check with the funeral home to determine if reporting has been done. If your husband worked long enough to be insured under Social Security, you may be eligible for a Lump Sum Death Payment. In addition, eligible family members may be able to receive monthly Survivor benefits. At this time, we do not offer an online application for survivors benefits. To learn more about benefits that may be available to you, please visit our Benefits Planner: If You Are the Survivor. If you have specific questions about your case or to apply, please call 1-800-772-1213 and ask a representative to assist you or, you can contact your local office. We hope this helps.