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.
Joyce M.
My husband was killed in an accident 10 yrs ago. At the Time our daughter was 11 yrs old. I received SSA benefits for her until she was 18 yrs old. After talking to a new friend today, she asked why didn’t I receive widow benefits until our daughter turned 16 yrs old. Was I entitled to widow benefits? If so can I retro and receive the benefits?
A.C.
Hi, Joyce. We are sorry to hear of your loss. Typically, a family member who is caring for the deceased’s child can receive benefits until their child reaches age 16. However, there are other factors that could affect your benefit, such as earnings limits and remarriage. To learn more about Survivor benefits, please visit here. Or, if you have specific questions about your case, call us at 1-800-772-1213. You can also contact your local office. We hope this helps.
Karen G.
I started receiving my husbands social security at the age of 60 as a widow. I will be 70 this year and want to change to my own social security benefits. How and when do I do this?
A.C.
Hi, Karen. 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. You can file up to 4 months in advance. We hope this helps.
Frank E.
My wife ssa benefits are lower than half of mine. how do I get her benefits increased to 50% of mine?
A.C.
Hi, Frank. For your wife to qualify for spouse’s benefits, you must be receiving retirement or disability benefits. Also, if she qualifies for Social Security benefits on her own record, we pay that amount first. But if she also qualifies for a higher amount as a spouse, she’ll get a combination of benefits that equals that higher amount. Visit our Retirement Planner: Benefits For Your Spouse for more information. We hope this helps.
Brian D.
My social security benefit is in process. I will be 62 on April 23rd, 2020. When can my wife apply for spouse benefits?
A.C.
Hi, Brian. For your wife to qualify for spouse’s benefits, you must be receiving retirement or disability benefits. Also, if she qualifies for Social Security benefits on her own record, we pay that amount first. But if she also qualifies for a higher amount as a spouse, she’ll get a combination of benefits that equals that higher amount. Visit our Retirement Planner: Benefits For Your Spouse for more information. We hope this helps.
Richard M.
I will remarry at age 64, her age 63. I am the higher wage earner and will take SS around age 66 yrs and 2 months, FRA. She will take SS early in May 2022 or her age 65. My monthly SS benefit is estimated to be about $2900. She was a nurse for 40 years, thus full career. Her monthly SS benefit is estimated to be around $2000 prior to marriage. How much money will she lose in monthly SS due to marriage? Be specific please.
A.C.
Hi, Richard. If she receives retirement or Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits, your marriage will not affect her benefit. If she is receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), widow or widower’s benefits, your marriage may affect her benefit. To learn more about how marriage affects benefits, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Derrick S.
My wife is a newly retired teacher. Before teaching she worked long enough to draw SSI off of her other job. We are told that as a teacher she does not qualify for SSI. So does she recoup the money that was taken out of her checks for SSI in her previous job since she doesn’t get SSI for her teaching career. Doesn’t seem like a fair deal to me. Also does she get to draw my SSI?
A.C.
Hi, Derrick. It sounds like your wife may be eligible for a pension not covered by Social Security. Generally, a pension based on work that is not covered by Social Security (for example, Federal civil service and some State or local government agencies) may cause the amount of her Social Security benefit to be reduced. Her Social Security benefits can be reduced based on one of two provisions: the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset. For 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. We hope this helps.
Robert
My spouse starts His/her Social Security benefits at age 62 (reduced) and I begin mine at full retirement age. If I die will my spouse than receive my Social Security benefit at my full rate or will the reduced rate continue
A.C.
Hi, Robert. Thanks for your question. The amount of your spouse’s potential survivor benefit is based on several factors, including: your earnings, when you started receiving your benefits, your spouse’s age, and the amount of your spouse’s own retirement benefit. We compare your spouse’s own benefit with their potential survivor benefit. If their survivor benefit would be higher than their own current retirement benefit, they would be eligible for survivor benefits. For more information about Survivors benefits, visit here. 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. We hope this helps.
colleen a.
is common law entitled to spouse benefits?
A.C.
Hi, Colleen. In cases where a common-law marriage may be involved, Social Security follows the state laws. To get survivors or spouses benefits you generally must live in a state that recognizes common-law marriage. Please check the laws in your state. For further assistance, you can 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. Thanks.
Michael L.
What is needed for my wife to sign up for spousal benefits, I am currently drawing.
A.C.
Hi, Michael. For your wife to qualify for spouse’s benefits, you must be receiving retirement or disability benefits. Also, if she qualifies for Social Security benefits on her own record, we pay that amount first. But if she also qualifies for a higher amount as a spouse, she’ll get a combination of benefits that equals that higher amount. Visit our Retirement Planner: Benefits For Your Spouse for more information. For 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, 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.
Demaris C.
I have remarried. How long do I need to be married to benefit from my spouses SS benefits if his is higher than mine will be when I retire. He is retired, 74 years old. I am 57 years old and am still working. We have been married for 4 years.
A.C.
Hi, Demaris. 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. We hope this helps.