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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Marvallene L.
At age 60 i started getting Disability Soc Sec benifits on my earnings. My husband died at 62 after being disabled at 54. Upon death I switch to Widows benefits at age 62, which was higher than mine. I will be 70 in 2months. Can I switch back to my benefits if they are higher after the last 8 years. What are the rules? rmsojourners1@yahoo.com
A.C.
Hi, Marvallene. 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.
Jan
I worked and retired at age 70 full retirement my work. My husband retired at 69 his full retirement.
When my spouse dies how will that affect me since I am receiving my full retirement based on my work record. I have been married to my spouse for 3 years.
His full retirement ss is higher than mine but I didn’t take my ss till age 70.
A.C.
Hi, Jan. The amount of your widow’s benefit is based on several factors, including: the earnings of your husband, when he started receiving his benefits, your age, and the amount of your own retirement benefit. We compare your own benefit with your potential survivor benefit. If your survivor benefit would be higher than your own current retirement benefit, you would be eligible for survivor benefits. For more information, visit our Survivors Planner: If You Are The Survivor. Thanks!
Patsy B.
My husband recently died but because I am a retired teacher who had to retire early to care for him, I cannot receive surviving spouse’s benefits I receive approx .1500. Net 1366 monthly from PSRS 193 from my SS net. 46 net from my other retirement They call that a windfall. I will no longer receive even his MOSERs retirement because his disease made problem solving impossible. We did not realize it then
Kaye
How long do you have to be married to receive your spouse benefits?
L.A.
Hi, Kaye. Generally, individuals must be married for one year before they can get spouse’s benefits. To qualify for divorced spouse benefits, the marriage had to have lasted at least 10 years. An applicant for surviving spouse benefits must meet a 9 month duration-of-marriage requirement. For more information about spouses benefits, visit our Benefits Planner: Benefits For You As A Spouse. For additional information about benefits as a surviving spouse, visit here. We hope this helps.
Linda L.
I worked for the Federal gov’t for almost 33 years in the old CSRS system before retiring in May of 2011. That means I receive only 2/3 of any SS I should get. Prior to working for the gov’t, I had worked in the private sector & had earned my 40 quarters. I decided to apply for SS when I retired (I was 64 years old) and inquired about receiving benefits under my husband’s benefits. The lady asked if we had been married 10 years and I answered no – we were only married 9 years before he passed away. She told me I was not eligible for his benefits because we hadn’t been married 10 years. I’d heard this before, so I believed what she told me.
Recently I’ve learned that I SHOULD have been eligible to receive benefits under his SS because although we were only married 9 years – he died while we were still married.
What must I do to get this looked into & possibly receive a SS check based on my husband’s earnings?
Thank you.
L.A.
Hi Linda. Unfortunately, your question is a bit more complex than we can address in this forum. 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.
Hazel R.
I tried to get disability for 20 yrs!! My med. Bill’s, meds, deductibles, co pays are running us down. Can’t get any help anywhere!!! I’m a 63 year woman. Never worked raised 6 kids, housewife, book keeper. Finance, maid.etc. I been disabled since 90 s. I see people never worked that recieves s.s. I do get to get 800 my hubby. We pay 900. A month for ins. Med. And others. Our house is 1,200. Plus elections. other accounts. Been running c.c.. up to survive.
harry b.
very good information.
Susan K.
After reading the “Understanding Spouse Benefits”, I states that a spouse cannot draw spouse benefits until the spouse is drawing their benefit, unless they are divorced. I have been told that I could not draw spouse benefits until my ex-husband until he was retirement age of drawing his own benefits. We had been divorced 11 years, and I have applied for spouse benefit as of August 23, 2019. Furthermore, I have not heard one word from the person who I had my appointment with on August 23, 2019. I priority mailed the documents requested, and after reading this article, I would like the correct info from someone regarding my application.
L.A.
Hi Susan: thank you for the question. If your ex-spouse qualifies for retirement benefits but hasn’t applied yet, you may be able to receive benefits on his record right now, if you have been divorced for at least two years. You can receive benefits on your ex-spouse’s record if:
• You are age 62 or older;
• You were legally married to your ex-spouse for at least 10 years;
• You are unmarried;
• Your ex-spouse is entitled to Social Security retirement or disability benefits and,
• The benefit you are entitled to receive based on your own work is less than the benefit you would receive based on your ex-spouse’s work.
Please check out our Retirement Planner: If You Are Divorced for more information.
Regarding your current business with Social Security, we do not have access to personal information on this forum. In your situation, it would be best for you to contact your local Social Security office to get answers to your questions. Or, you can call our toll free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. We hope this helps.
Skip E.
My husband and I just married. He had a first wife and they were married 17 years and divorced 23 years ago. He receives SS, I have very little SS. His ex is wanting to sue me because she thinks if he dies I will get his SS and she gets nothing. He has a 40 year old daughter who is not disabled and works and his ex wife says her daughter should get his SS benefits. I am confused. If my husband dies will I be able to claim a portion of his SS? Does it reduce his first wifes portion of benefits? Please help Thanks
L.A.
Hi Skip. Thank you for your question. To qualify for spouse’s benefits, you have to be married for at least a year. Also, you should know that if you qualify for Social Security benefits on your own record, we pay that amount first. If your husband worked long enough under Social Security, there may be benefits payable to survivors. You may be eligible for reduced widows benefits as early as age 60 (age 50 if disabled) and at any age if caring for the deceased’s child who is under age 16 or disabled and receiving benefits on the deceased’s record. Survivor benefit amounts are based on your husband’s earnings. The more he paid into Social Security, the higher the benefits would be.
Additionally, If you qualify for spouse’s benefits and there is an ex-spouse who also qualifies for benefits, the ex will not affect the total amount of benefits a current spouse or their family may receive. Check out our Retirement Planner: Benefits For You As A Spouse for more information for more details. We hope this helps.
Margie R.
Need more information about the 50 percent of spouse Social Security amount. Spouse is 1/12 years from 62. I have been getting mine since age 62. Sorry I don’t have much information about this. Someone just told me that we may qualify to increase our benefits. Thanks
A.C.
Hi, Margie. To qualify for spouse’s 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, you’ll get a combination of benefits that equals that higher amount. For more information, visit here. We hope this helps.