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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Nancy
My husband died last November (2018). He was 67 and collecting SS. I am now 62. I am still working. At what age, am I eligible to collect his SS and be able to continue working and earning my salary? I would like to draw his SS and allow mine to continue to increase in value and not draw it until I am 70, as it will be a higher amount. Please advise. This is all very confusing.
L.A.
Hi Nancy. We are sorry to hear about your loss. You are eligible to apply for survivor benefits when you reach age 60 (age 50 or over if disabled). However, If you are younger than full retirement age during all of 2019, we must deduct $1 from your benefits for each $2 you earn above $17,640. When you reach full retirement age, your earnings no longer reduce your benefits, no matter how much you earn. Check out how work affects Social Security payments here. We hope this helps.
Bob S.
my wife is receiving SS benefits (she is 64)) and I am still working (I earn over $125,000 annually). Will her benefit be reduced by my income?
L.A.
Hi Bob. Your income should not affect your wife’s benefits, unless she is receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI). You can learn more about spouses benefits here. We hope this helps.
J B.
We were told about a restricted application for spousal benefits almost a year ago in the Rock Hill, SC SS Aministration office since I am 63 and just began collecting and my husband is 66. He is not collecting his social security. Can we proceed with an electronic submission or do we have to go to the SS Administration office.
Thank you
L.A.
Hi J. Unfortunately, but for your security, we do not have access to personal information in this venue. In your situation, it is best to contact your local Social Security office. Or, you can 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. Also, you may find additional information on our internet page Retirement Planner: Benefits For Your Spouse. We hope this helps.
Thomas M.
I have a question…
I am 67 and am receiving my SS benefit. My wife is turning 64 in January 2020. She has not claimed her 50% of my benefit payment. If she begins to claim her spouse benefit at age 64 (early) will that affect how much she can receive if I pass away. In other words, will she receive the same amount I am receiving now or will what she receives when I pass be less than I get now, because she started receiving her spouse benefit two plus years early. I hope this is clear…
carol w.
How does someone apply for disability under husband???
L.A.
Hi, Carol. It sounds like you are referring to disability as a surviving spouse. A disabled widow may be eligible for benefits if the person is between ages 50 and 60, the person meets the definition of disability for adults, and the disability started before the worker’s death or within seven years after the worker’s death. For more information about widow’s benefits, check out our Survivors Planner. If you are referring to spouses benefits, your husband must be receiving retirement or disability benefits. Also, if 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 on your husband’s record, you’ll get a combination of benefits that equals that higher amount. For more information, visit our internet page titled Retirement Planner: Benefits For You As A Spouse. We hope this helps.
Susan D.
my husband passed away on 9-7-2019. How do I report his death and learn my benefits.
L.A.
Hi Susan. We’re sorry to hear about your loss. Typically, the funeral director notifies us of an individual’s death by sending the death certificate to the local Social Security office. However, you may also report a death yourself by calling us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0885) between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. You may also submit the death certificate to your local Social Security office in person. You may be eligible for a lump-sum death benefit of $255 (a one-time payment) and/or monthly survivors benefits on your husband’s Social Security earnings record. For more information, please read our publication titled “local Social Security office in person. You may be eligible for a lump-sum death benefit of $255 (a one-time payment) and/or monthly survivors benefits on your husband’s Social Security earnings record. For more information, please read our publication titled “How Social Security Can Help You When a Family Member Dies.” We hope this helps.”>How Social Security Can Help You When a Family Member Dies.” We hope this helps.
Becky
I am so confused. I am 63 and already receiving social security. My spouse is planning to retired at full retirement age (66), his social security benefit is higher than mine. Will my social security benefit will change when he retired? This question is not about survivor benefit.
Crandle G.
I`m a 66 year old bachelor that’s never been married , and thinking about marrying a 25 year old woman , after we were married and (Heaven Forbid) I died a year later how much of my social security would she get and for how long . Thank You
A.C.
Hi, Crandle. Thanks for your question. A surviving spouse may be eligible to apply for widow’s benefits when you reach age 60 (age 50 or over if disabled). For more information about widow’s benefits, check out our survivors planner here. We hope this helps.
Julie W.
I am trying to find the online application to apply to a deceased spouse’s benefits. But can’t find one.
L.A.
Hi, Julie. At this time, we do not offer an online application for survivors benefits. Please call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-772-1213) and request an appointment at your local Social Security office. You should file the application for survivors benefits as soon as possible. You can learn more about the survivors benefits here. We hope this helps.
Clara D.
I called months ago to discuss survivors benefits. I was told you would call within 10 days to schedule a phone appointment. No one ever called. Now I am on hold for one hour and 15 minutes to follow up. It seems almost impossible to get help. Please contact me so I can determine if I am receiving the correct amount of benefits.
L.A.
Hi, Clara. We are sorry to hear about your experience. For your 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. You can call us again 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. You can ask to speak to a supervisor on your next visit or call. We hope this resolved soon.