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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Robin T.
How do I find out what my ex-husbands SS benefit will be?
A.C.
Hi, Robin. It sounds like you are referring to your potential benefit on your ex-spouse’s record. To be eligible for divorced spouse benefits, you had to be married to your former spouse for at least 10 years, and you cannot be eligible for a higher benefit on your own record. For more information on how to qualify for divorced spouse benefits, visit our Benefits Planner: If You Are Divorced. 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.
SALLY T.
I CURRENTLY COLLECT SS ON MY DECEASED
EX HUSBANDS SS, I WILL BE 70 IN JULY 2020
AND WANT TO START TO COLLECT MY SS
HOW DO I GO ABOUT CHANGING THIS.
A.C.
Hi, Sally. Thanks for your question. Since you are currently receiving benefits, you can schedule an appointment with your local office to file on your own record 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.
Tom C.
How do I know if I am receiving spousal benefits or if I can receive them?
A.C.
Hi, Tom. 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 that higher amount. Visit our Retirement Planner: Benefits For You As A Spouse for more information. For specific questions about your benefits, 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.
Rosalie B.
If I am receiving part of my spouses social security, if we at some point get divorced will I still be able to keep receiving their portion of the social security, we have been married 5 years.
Jeff A.
I’m trying to apply for spousal benefits but the application won’t let me get past the disability question! When I check the no box for disability and click next, it comes back as an error and go further unless I check yes for disability
MERLIN R.
IF A NON WORKING SPOUSE REACHS FULL RETIREMENT AGE BEFORE THE SSPOUSE IS ELIBLE FOR BENEFITS, DOES THIS EXCLUDE THEM FROM DRAWING SOCIAL SECURITY AS A SPOUSE? I HAVE A COUPLE WHERE THE NON-WORKING SPOUSE IS 10 YEARS OLDER.
Cathy S.
What is needed when reporting the death of your spouse? How is benefit calculated?
Bonnie A.
Is there a limit as to how much retirement social security you can draw monthly?
Mary A.
How can I get my husband’s benefits?
Carolyn M.
I’m on retirement now I was ask to get married what I need to know is my future husband can retire in November how will that affect his retirement check and mine retirement check