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.
Debra
My spouse had a social security disability debt before we were married. He died in 2017 and we were only married for two years. I apply for my social at age 62. I was denied my social check due to my spouse had not finishing paying off his debt. Is this true? I was told that I would not receive payment until his debt is paid in full. How can a dead man pay off his social security debt?
A.C.
Hi, Debra. We are sorry to hear about your loss. 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.
Davene G.
My husband passed away 2months ago.
How do I start getting his benefits.
I live in Carlsbad . Do I need to make an appointment ⛽️
A.C.
Hi, Davene. We are sorry to hear about your loss. At this time, we do not offer an online application for survivors benefits. You should call us at 1-800-772-1213 and ask a representative to assist you. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Fran P.
How do you switch from a spousal benefit to your own benefit? What is the process?
BRUCE D.
I have the SAME question: HOW to switch from spousal to own benefit?? My brother will turn 70 in 2 weeks and has been on Spousal, now his own delayed benefit has grown 32% (4 years @ 8% growth per year) but he doesn’t know how to switch to his own. I haven’t found any info or FAQs on that topic.
Does SSA automatically switch him to the larger benefit automatically? Or does he have to go to SSA Office to make the switch?
A.C.
Hi, Bruce. Since your brother is already receiving benefits, he can schedule an appointment to file for benefits on his own record with his local office by calling us at 1-800-772-1213 between 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. We hope this helps.
A.C.
Hi, Fran. 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. Thanks!
Dean F.
i did not receive my spouses’ death benefit …. what do i do ?
A.C.
Hi, Dean. If you do not receive your electronic payment on the scheduled pay date, please contact your bank or financial institution first. If you still need to report a late, missing, or stolen Social Security payment, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions. Thanks!
Susan C.
I have spent quite a few minutes on this website simply looking for a no frills answer to how do i apply for spousal benefits.
This site is not written to the level of a common person able to understand.
The people answering the phone at the call centers are not able to understand the same simple question either.
All i want to know is – i have been informed by 2 financial advisors that i am eligible to receive spousal benefits.
One week later i have not been able to find out how to apply.
Please email me a contact person of someone who is qualified and able to explain how i go about this application.
Thank you.
A.C.
Hi, Susan. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. To qualify for spouse’s benefits, your husband 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. We hope this helps.
Dolores P.
I am still not understanding, my dad died at 83 he was getting his full retirement. My mom is 82 and she gets social security too. So, they are saying that my moms only gets half of her SSI and half of my dads. Is that right? I thought that my mom would get my dads then half of hers. I am really confused because my aunt is gettiing all of my uncles SSI because his is more than hers. Not understanding what the difference is. Please reply, we have gotten 3 different stories form call SSI number
A.C.
Hi, Delores. For your mother’s 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. She can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Generally, she will have a shorter wait if she calls later in the day. She can also contact her local Social Security office. Keep in mind, if a person already receives retirement benefits on his or her own record, they can only apply for benefits as a widow or widower if the retirement benefit they receive is less than the benefits they would receive as a survivor. Generally, survivor benefits are paid at a higher percentage than regular spouse benefits. Visit our Survivor Benefits web page for more information. We hope this helps.
Cheryl M.
Do I need a form to fill out to apply for spousal benefits?
L.A.
Hi Cheryl. If you are currently married, then you may be able to get spouse’s benefits. You may apply here. We hope this helps.
Mary A.
When I signed up ,my husband was way past full Retirement age. I’m confused as to why I am receiving way less than 50% of his benefits. Thank You!
L.A.
Hi Mary. Thank you for your question. Typically, if you have not worked or do not have enough Social Security credits to qualify for your own Social Security benefits, you may be able to receive spouse’s benefits. But, if you claim the benefits before you are of full retirement age, then your benefit amount is reduced for life. For more information, please visit our Retirement Planner: Benefits For You As A Spouse. For specific questions about your case, 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. We hope this helps.
Donna T.
Can my divorced husband received my Social Security that I have paid in even if he made more money than I did but did not take a salary from his business. Just think that is not right.
L.A.
Hi Donna. To be eligible for divorced spouse benefits, both you and your ex-spouse have to be age 62, and he cannot be eligible for a higher benefit on his own record. For more information about divorced spouse’s benefits, please visit our Benefits Planner: If You Are Divorced. For specific questions about your case, please call our toll-free number, 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 information helps.
Samuel D.
I am 76 and my wife is 72 and we have been married 54 years. If I pass away how much of my social security can she draw.
A.C.
Hi, Samuel. The amount of your wife’s widow’s benefit would be based on several factors, including: your earnings, when you started receiving your benefits, her age, and the amount of her own retirement benefit. We compare her own benefit with her potential survivor benefit. Typically, a widow at full (survivors) retirement age or older generally receives 100 percent of the deceased worker’s amount. For more information about widow’s benefits, please visit here. We hope this helps.