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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Julie M.
I get Spousal benefits from VA, can I also get SSI ?
L.A.
Hi, Julie. Keep in mind that the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based program that pays benefits to disabled individuals based on financial need. SSI guidelines require that if you’re married, we take into account your spouse’s income and resources in addition to your own, when we calculating your monthly SSI benefit amount. We also take into consideration your living arrangements. These and other factors may affect your SSI eligibility. To learn more, please visit our Understanding Supplemental Security Income: SSI Eligibility Requirements. Thanks.
Faye B.
My husband dras 481.00 a month he is 70 years old I am 65 and c draw 1661.00 can he draw anything from my benefits.
L.A.
Hi Faye. Thank you for your question. Unfortunately, but for your security, we do not have access to personal information on this forum 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.
Angie T.
Hello. My spouse is in Hospital with Critical Healtt h Problem due to Pancreatic cancer & Stroke, he is completely incapable of any action specially since he has lost speech & his eyes are closed up.
We both get SS but now, I need to have Representative “KE” Permission. He is not able to control his bank account for Monthly Bill Pay.
I noticed when I call Social Security,the Message says that I can fill out the Form for this matter. Please tell me where I can find it cause I have a hard time to attend your office. Thank you.
A.C.
Hi, Angie. We are sorry to hear about your husband’s condition. If you are interested in applying to be a representative payee, you should read our publication, A Guide For Representative Payees, to understand a payee’s responsibilities. If you have specific questions, or to make an appointment, please call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. to speak to one of our representatives. Or you can contact your local Social Security office. Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call later in the day. We hope this helps.
Wilma G.
Will someone please help me. I was drawing less than half my husband’s benefits. I was told when I retired I would loose this money. Social Security has still been sending me the same amount of money since I retired on May 31, 2019. I sent in a form 562 from TRS.
What is the deal. Do I ask for benefits on my social security or will I keep drawing from my husbands? I am so confused. I would appreciate some guidance.
Thank you
A.C.
Hi, Wilma. 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.
Connie C.
26 of Sept. 2019
Hi there,
Good day, hope everyone are in good health. may I ask some question here, my late husband is american, and he died here in the Philippines, he start receiving his SSA benefits when his 62 years old, but he was not able to enjoy his retirement benefits because he died at the age 62, my question as widow, there is no supplementary support before turn 60 I wish there is, because life it’s hard to live life when partners in life is no longer around. we need help. thank you.
Respectfully yours
Connie C. McGrath
A.C.
Hi, Connie. We are sorry to hear about your loss and your situation. You are eligible to apply for survivor 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. For further assistance outside of the U.S., you can contact your local Federal Benefits Unit. We hope this helps.
Sandra
Help please. I need to check the aux. Spouse benefit as the ss agent we talked to gave us bad in formation. Please how do I do this.
A.C.
Hi, Sandra. 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.
Sherri A.
I want to start drawing SS benefits off my husband’s benefits in Nov. 2019. I am eligible then.
I want to know if this can be done online or do I need to make an appointment at a SS office.
L.A.
Hi Sherri. You can complete the online application for Social Security retirement benefits in as little as 15 minutes. We hope this helps.
A.C.
Hi, Sherri. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. You can schedule an appointment with your local office by calling us at 1-800-772-1213 between 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and a representative will assist you. Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call later in the day. Thanks!
holly
how much can you make working and collect full benefits
L.A.
Hi Holly. You may receive Social Security retirement benefits and work at the same time. How much you can make in earnings from work, while receiving Social Security retirement benefits, depends on your age. If you have not reached your full retirement age, we deduct $1 from your benefit payments for every $2 you earn above the annual limit. For 2019 that limit is $17,640/yr. ($1,470/mo.). This limit changes in the year you reach full retirement age. For 2019 the limit for when you reach full retirement age is $46,920/yr. ($3,910/mo.). To learn more, visit our Frequently Asked Questions web page or read our publication titled “How Work Affects Your Benefits”. If you have specific questions about your personal situation, you can call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and speak with one of our representatives. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week. We hope this helps.
Nancy D.
how can I stop spouse benefits since we were married in May 19,1962 and divorced May 10, 1972 and had been separated for more then two years before the divorced?
L.A.
Hi Nancy. Since you and your ex-spouse were married for at least 10 years, both, you and your ex-spouse may be eligible for divorced spouses benefits based on one or the other’s earnings record. It depends under whose earnings record may provide a higher benefit. The maximum benefit for a spouse or ex-spouse is 50% for the other spouse. However, if each of your own benefits is higher that 50% of the other, then no benefits are payable under the other (ex)spouse’s earnings record. For additional information see our internet page titled Retirement Benefits: If You Are Divorced. We hope this helps.
Katherine A.
My husband and I want to make an appointment with the SSA office in Iselin for Friday Otober 12 @ 9:15 am so that we can review SPOUSAL BENEFITS in PERSON
I cannot seem to get through on the Phone without a long wait.
Can you please arrange this and confirm back to me?
L.A.
Hi Katherine. You will find your local Social Security office address here. You may also 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. We cannot guarantee the appointment date and time you are requesting, but we will work to make it as convenient as possible for you. We hope this helps.