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.
Cathy s.
Can a retired ky teacher qualify to collect ss benefits from deceased spouse
A.C.
Hi, Cathy. A pension based on work that is not covered by Social Security (for example, Federal civil service and some State or local government agencies, such as police officers and some teachers) may cause the amount of your Social Security benefit to be reduced. Your benefit can be reduced based on one of two provisions: The Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provision. To learn more, please visit here. We hope this helps.
Candy S.
I’m interested in seeing if qualify for half of my husbands social security now that he is collecting his. I retired early at the age of 62 and my husband retired at 66..
A.C.
Hi, Candy. To qualify for spouse’s benefits, your spouse must be receiving retirement or disability benefits. Also, when 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 the higher amount. Visit our Retirement Planner: Benefits For You As A Spouse for more information. We hope this helps.
Lynda W.
My spouse passed on 10/21/19 and I had S.S. office POA for him. What is the next step to learn about stopping his SS benefits or if there is a death benefit that his family should apply for. I have waited almost an hour on the phone to speak with an SS agent to ensure. Hardly acceptable. Our Government should staff this phone system more efficiently, as many callers are aged.
Thanks.
A.C.
Hi, Lynda. We are sorry to hear about your loss. Typically, the funeral director notifies us of an individual’s passing by contacting the local Social Security office. To verify this information was reported, and to see if you are eligible for survivors benefits, call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office directly. We hope this helps.
Amalia D.
Do I need ORIGINAL death certificate and ORIGINAL marriage certificate when applying for spouses benefits after the death of my husband? Can I bring PHOTOCOPY of each to my appointment?
A.C.
Hi, Amalia. Thanks for your question. Public records must be the originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies. Hope this helps.
Turcan
we were married for more then 10 years.
Can my ex wife collect my pension after me?
Thank you for the information.
Vicki D.
I began taking my SS benefit in January 2019, when I turned 65. My Husband turned 68 in October 2019, and will begin taking his SS in January 2020. Since my Spousal benefit is higher than my benefit, I would like to begin receiving Spousal Benefits in January 2020. What do I need to do to begin receiving Spousal Benefits in January 2020?
L.A.
Hi Vicky. 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. If you need to file an application with us, please 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.
Marshall S.
My wife died at age 63. Do I receive a portion of her benefits? I am 79.
L.A.
Hi Marshall. For your security, we do not have access to your personal information in this forum. For specific questions about your account, please call our toll free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), from Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. You may also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Lajoy H.
My husband and I have married for 30 yrs I’m 59 yrs old and disabled on social security disability
My husband is 79 yrs old I get nothing from him my one medication is $4,000 a month can I have his social security check garnished for spousal support with out being divorce from him ? I want nothing more nor nothing less what is mine
L.A.
Hi Lajoy. We cannot garnish your husband’s Social Security benefits. However, you may be eligible to receive social services from the state in which you live. These services include free meals, housekeeping help, transportation, or help with other problems. To get information about services in your area, and find out if your brother qualifies, you will need to contact your state or local social services or welfare office. You should also contact your local Medicare SHIP (State Health Insurance Program Coordinator) to discuss your health insurance options. For specific questions about your account, please call our toll free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), from Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. You may also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Rob
my question is, my partner and I were married in 2007 when the Equal rights amendment’s were passed. He passed away October 5th, so would I be eligible to recieve his benefits? We are a same sex married couple.
L.A.
Hi Rob. We are sorry to hear about the passing of your partner. We recognize same same-sex couples’ marriages in all states, and some non-marital legal relationships (such as some civil unions and domestic partnerships), for purposes of determining entitlement to Social Security benefits, Medicare entitlement, and eligibility and payment amount for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). For more information please take a look at our webpage for same-sex couples. For specific questions, please contact us by calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, between 7:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M., or contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Jim F.
Is the widow of a non U. S. Citizen eligible for survivors benefits after age 60? The non citizen was from Holland and worked as an Engineer in the U. S. for more than 35 years and paid into Social Security. His widow of a 35 year marriage, a U. S. Citizen, and over the age of 62 is being told she is not eligible for benefits while she is actively working. Is that accurate?