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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Susan M.
Having trouble getting online. Tried to call but no luck. I’m turning 70 on January 21, 2020, and want to change my benefits. I have been receiving half of my spouse’s and want to apply for my own Social Security. I don’t remember my password and may even have my username wrong. The message on your phone line told me to call back….that was after I went through all the prompts to talk to someone. So, I’m hoping we can resolve this online or you can call me at 515-321-4232. Thank you!
Sue Davis
A.C.
Hi, Susan. Since you are already receiving benefits, you can schedule an appointment with your local office by calling us at 1-800-772-1213 between 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and a representative will assist you. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. Thanks!
Alfred M.
How do I create an online account for my wife who is not computer literate. When I try to create one using her name an SS# it returns that the account has already been created using the same info (My account). I am trying to see her account info since I handle all her Tax info.
A.C.
Hi, Alfred. Unfortunately, you can only create a my Social Security account using your own personal information and for your own exclusive use. You cannot create or use an account on behalf of another person, even if you have that person’s written permission. Thanks!
Florin M.
I have a simple question: If someone has been receiving benefits based on her own record (starting at full retirement age), can she switch to spousal benefits now? This option was not considered at the time of applying for benefits (7 years ago).
L.A.
Hi Florin. Thank you for your question. By law, if you are eligible to receive your own Social Security retirement benefits and for benefits as a spouse, we would pay your own retirement benefits first. If you also qualify as a spouse, and those benefits are higher than your own retirement benefits, you will get a combination of benefits that equals the higher amount. For more information, please visit our Retirement Benefits Planner: Benefits For You As A Spouse. For specific questions about your benefits 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. We hope this helps.
Charlotte W.
I began receiving SS at age 62. When my husband died, I didn’t get much of what he had paid in. Now that I’m 82 I am short about $50 to $75 each month now that utility bills, rent, etc. have gone up. Is it too late now to obtain more money from his account?
A.C.
Hi, Charlotte. 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. Also, you may be eligible to receive social services from the state in which you live. These services include Medicaid, free meals, housekeeping help, transportation or help with other problems. To find out whether you may qualify and if you need to file a separate application call the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services at 1-800-633-4227 (TTY, 1-877-486-2048). You also can get information about services in your area from your state or local social services or welfare office. We hope this helps.
Leroy a.
I am trying to help out my mother-in-law, (age 80). My father-in-law passed away 2016. She tried to apply for his SS benefit being the higher of the two.
The representative at the SS office where she lives told her she dose not qualify because she (my mother-in-law) did not put enough money into SS. I do not see this in the readings anywhere.
Please help with an easy to read explanation.
Thank you.
A.C.
Hi. For information about survivors benefits, please see our Benefits Planner: If You Are The Survivor. We hope this helps.
Dale T.
Scenario: I will turn 66 (FRA) in 9 months. I have delayed receiving benefits though being retired. My spouse will retire in 5 months at age 65. First, will we each receive Social Security benefits individually at our respective dates (Sept. and May)? In the event of my death, will my spouse then receive my benefit (which will be higher than hers) in lieu of her own benefit?
A.C.
Hi, Dale. 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 later on, you’ll get a combination of benefits that equals that higher amount. Visit our Retirement Planner: Benefits For You As A Spouse for more information.
Typically, a widow or widower at full (survivors) retirement age or older generally receives 100% of the deceased worker’s amount, a widow or widower under full retirement age receives about 71 to 99 percent of the worker’s benefit amount, and a widow or widower with a child younger than age 16 receives 75 percent of the worker’s benefit amount. For more information about how much your benefit would be, visit our Survivors Planner. We hope this helps.
Cynthia m.
I lived with ex husband 6 months, then married just short of 10 yrs. Total yrs over 10. Can I get ex spousal benefits. He is retired as am i. My benefits are excessively low.
A.C.
Hi, Cynthia. To be eligible for divorced spouse benefits, you had to be married to your former spouse for at least 10 years. You may be eligible to receive social services from the state in which you live. These services include Medicaid, free meals, housekeeping help, transportation or help with other problems. To find out whether you may qualify and if you need to file a separate application call the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services at 1-800-633-4227 (TTY, 1-877-486-2048). You also can get information about services in your area from your state or local social services or welfare office. We hope this helps.
Edith G.
I have been getting my husband’s ssa benefits as well as my own and now the my new benefits shows just mine. I used to get two ssa showing both of ours benefits are you doing it different now?
Edith Goetz *** – ** – ***
Dean Goetz *** – ** – ***
A.C.
Hi, Edith. 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.
Stephanie
I’m going to be 65 this year. My husband is 58. Can I file for ssi?
A.C.
Hi, Stephanie. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a Federal income supplement program funded by general tax revenues (not Social Security taxes). It pays benefits to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources. SSI benefits also are payable to people 65 and older without disabilities, who meet the financial limits. For more information, please visit here. We hope this helps.
Larodean J.
I am 81 years of age and not in good health. I have been married to my wife for 58 years. My wife draws about half of what I do monthly. When I die, how much or what percentage of my social security will she get?
A.C.
Hi, Larodean. The amount of her widow benefit would be based on several factors, including: your earnings, when you started receiving your benefits, her age at the time of your death. Typically, a widow or widower at full (survivors) retirement age or older generally receives 100% of the deceased worker’s amount, a widow or widower under full retirement age receives about 71 to 99 percent of the worker’s benefit amount, and a widow or widower with a child younger than age 16 receives 75 percent of the worker’s benefit amount. For more information about how much your benefit would be, visit our Survivors Planner. For specific questions, please 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.