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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Gordon L.
My friend passed away last night. He was married to his second wife at the time of his death. His divorced spouse will be trying to get his Social Security benefit because he was unable to pay his child support obligations for many years. My question is: will she be able to claim his SS benefits or will those go to his surviving spouse?
Padmini G.
How do I start my social security benefit and who should I contact? and I live in Bradenton/ Sarasota Florida and who should I speak to? I am eligible from 1/3/2020 and please help with how to activate the social security benefit . Thank you
L.A.
Hi Padmini. Our system is set up to take applications four months in advance. You can apply for Social Security retirement benefits when you are at least 61 years and 9 months of age and want your benefits to start in the next four months. When you are ready, you can complete the online application for Social Security retirement benefits in as little as 15 minutes. To get started, go to our Retirement Benefits web page. We hope this helps.
Shannon H.
I want my SS check to come directly into my bank account. How do I go about this? It is going into my ex husbands account now. And then it is sent to my account.
Shannon N Connelly Huot
L.A.
Hi Shannon. Good news! If you receive Social Security benefits you can create or access your personal my Social Security account and change your direct deposit online. If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, and want to establish or update direct deposit information, please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) for assistance. Representatives are available between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Generally, you may have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week. We hope this helps.
Theresa K.
What proofs do I need to claim my ex husbands SS . We were married over 10 years, then divorced. I am unsure of how to file and what I need to send as proofs with my filing
L.A.
Hi, Theresa. Thanks for your question. Typically, you will need a certified copy of your marriage license and divorce decree. Keep in mind if you are eligible for your own retirement benefit and benefits as a divorced spouse, we always pay your own benefit first. If your benefits as a divorced spouse are higher than your own retirement benefit, you will get a combination of benefits equaling the higher divorced spouse benefit. For more information and how to apply, visit our Benefits Planner: If You Are Divorced. We hope this helps.
Patrick H.
When my spouse passed away Feb. 4th, 2017, I inquired about any entitlements that I could receive. I was told I was not entitled to anything. Can you explain “why?”
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.
Shirley O.
Excellent explanation of spouse benefits. My husband just died so helpful to me. Recently I called SSI & after an hour’s wait, got same info from clear & extremely helpful person. So big thanks to all of u @ SSI for doing a terrific job!
Peggy O.
How can I find out if my husband is dead.
Clara B.
I do not receive any of my Social Security I ony draw my lat husbands. Is there a pssibility I will be able to draw a portion of my Social Security?
A.C.
Hi, Clara. 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.
Nancy T.
I worked for 29 years. When I signed up for social security, the agent told me I could not draw under my husbands plan because I earned $16 too much over my life time. My sister (who never worked) draws more off her husband’s earnings than I get and I’ve always worked. This seems unfair! Was that agent giving me the right information?
A.C.
Hi, Nancy. 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.
J. S.
I did not see anywhere in the article about how long a couple have to be married for a widow or widower in order to collect benefits.
A.C.
Hi, J.S. An applicant for surviving spouse benefits must meet a 9 months duration-of-marriage requirement. For more information about survivors benefits, visit here. Thanks!