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.
Did you find this Information helpful?
Tags: retirement, Social Security benefits
See CommentsAbout the Author
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Comments
Comments are closed.
Cheryl
My husband and I revived social security disability early. He is 66 I am turning 65 next month. Am I untitled to his social security if it will be higher than mine ? I know it will be a portion of his not full amount
A.C.
Hi, Cheryl. Thank you for your question. 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. For 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.
Margaret
If I marry at age 54 with ssdi to someone else who is disabled and collects ssi will he lose his income and benefits?
A.C.
Hi, Margaret. Thanks for your question. If you receive retirement or Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits, your marriage will not affect your benefit. If you are receiving SSI, widow or widower’s benefits, your marriage may affect your benefit. To learn more about how marriage affects benefits, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Annmarie C.
I am retired collecting SS….( full retirement age 67) but continued to work will my SS increase over time?
A.C.
Hi, Annmarie. Each year, we review the records for all working Social Security recipients to see if additional earnings may increase their monthly benefits. If your earnings for the prior year are higher than one of the years we used to figure your retirement benefit, we will recalculate your benefit amount. If an increase is due, a new monthly benefit amount is established on your record automatically. If you continue to work, remember that starting with the month you reach full retirement age, there is no limit on how much you can earn and still receive your Social Security benefits. For more information about how work affects your benefits, visit here. We hope this information helps.
Richard J.
I got married one year ago and I want to know about any limitations on my wife’s eligibility for survivor benefits in the event of my death. How many years must we be married for her to receive benefits as a survivor? Thanks!
L.A.
Hi Richard. Generally, individuals must be married for one (1) 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.
Barbara a.
I would like to know our spousal benefits for both my husband and me.
Also, please change our e-mail address to:
barbaradino30@gmail.com
ONLY.
Thank you,
Barbara and James DeVito
Karen M.
I want to make sure if I take my deceased husband’s SOC sec benefits and not mine which is more than I can switch to mine any time!
Nancy D.
My name is Nancy D Hartman DOB 10/09/1947 SS# *** – ** – *** am I receiving the correct amount of SSA? Should I be getting benefits from x husbands retirement account? He did not take any benefits till full retirement age. His name is Gary E Zywotko SS# *** – ** – *** Please advise email nancyhartman70@yahoo.com home phone 412 584 7272 new address effective October 26, 2019 is Lindenbrooke Apartments, 920 Royal Drive, Apt. #201 South Park, PA 15129 Thank you
Nancy D Hartman
Walter D.
My step daughter whom works for a lawyer said that there was a new law that no one nows of ther “Spousal Account”. She told my wife that she would have to sign up for that before I would pass away, so she could receive my whole social security, in case of my death. Is she right about this new law.
Art M.
My spouse Rita Medeiros has passed away. Do I need to apply for survivors benefits, or is this handled by SSA?
Carlos D.
I am receiving my SS benefits for
many years now, My wife is not, she is still working
Have a question: my wife income will be higher, can I now apply for to increase my benefits based on the 50% rule? where can I get information about this? Thank u
L.A.
Hi Carlos. Thank you for your question. Please note that since you are receiving Social Security retirement benefits under your own record, we pay that amount first. If you also qualify for a higher amount as a spouse, you will get a combination of benefits that equals that higher amount. Please visit our Retirement Planner: Benefits For You As A Spouse for more information. For specific questions, please call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), 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. We hope this helps.