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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Heather S.
My husband receives VA disability, he is 70, can i receive 1/2 of his social security at age of 62
L.A.
Hi Heather. Thank you for your question. If your husband is only receiving VA disability benefits, we recommend that you contact the Veterans Administration (VA). If you are eligible to receive 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: If You Are Divorced for more information. We hope this helps.
H S.
My girlfriend lost her husband of 32 + years in 2012. She was told she can’t get any money (widows pay?) his social security until she turns 60. She did not work as a stay at home Mom, and I just wonder if there was or is a widows pay she should have been getting for 8 years now? Does s.s. start on his birthday or hers? She and I will be calling s.s. in Jan 2020 to get her/his soc sec stuff started. What is the widows pay about, if it is real, she never got a dime…
L.A.
Hi H Steve. Please note the Social Security Law requires that the surviving spouse be at least 60 years old, or 50 years old, if the surviving spouse is disabled, to be eligible to receive surviving spouses benefits. For more information about survivors benefits, visit our Survivor Planner: If You Are The Survivor. We hope this helps.
Sousan K.
I am trying to find the answer to the following question:
If I am currently 67 years old and I am not collecting social security and my husband is 72 and he is collecting social security. Can I collect half of his and don’t take my own until I reach age 70 (restricted application)? by the way my full retirement is more than half of his.
L.A.
Hi Sousan. If you are full retirement age, and you were born before January 2, 1954, and you are applying for spouse’s benefits only, you can apply online by using the retirement application. You can also contact us to schedule an appointment. Please visit our Retirement Planner: Deemed Filing – Frequently Asked Questions page for more information on deemed filing. For more information about spouse’s benefits, please visit our Retirement Planner: Benefits For You As A Spouse. We hope this helps.
Margaret W.
My husband and I will both be collecting social security after our full retirement year of 66. Most likely 67. If my social security benefits are lower than my husband’s, can I collect a portion of his social security to boost mine. Thank you for your time. M. Williams
L.A.
Hi Margaret. Thank you for your question. Please note that if you qualify to receive Social Security retirement benefits under your own record, we pay you 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. We hope this helps.
John A.
I started receiving benefits at my full retirement age as a single man. I married a women on 10/10/18 who is receiving benefits at full retirement age based on her own work history. Half my benefit is more than her full benefit, can she collect under my benefit ? Thanks, John
L.A.
Hi John. Thank you for your question. Please note that since your wife is receiving Social Security retirement benefits under her own record, we pay her that amount first. If she also qualifies for a higher amount as a spouse under your earnings record, she would 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 your wife hasn’t already done so, she can file for an application for retirement benefits online. For specific questions about your or your wife’s application, 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. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. We hope this helps.
Lynn O.
I have been receiving benefits since 2016. I live outside of the U.S. My husband has now turned 66. Is he entitled to any benefits? He did not work in the U.S.
If so, which form should he use to file for benefits?
L.A.
Hi Lynn. Please note that for your security, we do not have access to private Social Security information in this venue. Since you live outside of the U.S., please contact your local Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) for assistance with Social Security benefits matters. We hope this helps.
Earl J.
I am confused. My wife and I are in our mid 70’s and both collect SS. We both collected SS at the age of 62. If I die does my wife get the same monthly check as I now do in addition to her present monthly check?
L.A.
Hi Earl. If you wife is eligible to receive survivors benefits under your Social Security earnings record, we will always pay her own benefits first. If your wife is eligible to receive a higher benefit amount as a surviving spouse, she will receive a combination of benefits that will equal the amount she could receive as a surviving spouse. For more information about survivors benefits, visit our Survivor Planner: If You Are The Survivor. You may also 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. We hope this helps.
Wendy B.
To whom it may concern:
My name is Wendy Brennan and both of my parents have passed away and need to know what I need to do next. Do I call someone or bring paperwork in the office????????????
L.A.
Hi Wendy. We are sorry for your loss. Generally, the funeral home informs Social Security of a person’s death. However, you can 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. We hope this helps.
Antti L.
I receive benefits, based on my work history in the U.S. Now, after I moved to other country, I married the woman who was not my official wife at the time, but companion. She has work history of 7 years in the U.S. – I had more than 15.
> Will she or I be eligible for any additional benefit for her sake?
L.A.
Hi Antti. Thank you for your question. Typically, if a person has not worked or does not have enough Social Security credits to qualify for her/his own Social Security benefits, if the person is married, she or he may be able to receive spouse’s benefits. From what you state on your comment, your wife/companion does not have enough Social Security credits to qualify for her own Social Security retirement benefits. As a spouse, she may qualify for spouse’s benefits. For more information, please visit our Retirement Planner: Benefits For You As A Spouse. Since you live outside of the U.S., please contact your local Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) for assistance with Social Security benefits matters. We hope this helps.
Mary C.
I have applied for ss divorced spouse survivors benefits, I’m trying hard to continue to work until they go into effect. All required documents have now been submitted. Certified divorce and certified marriage license copies.
How long will it take to learn if I will receive.
L.A.
Hi Mary. 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.