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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Phyllis J.
We both have SSA benefits taken at full age (66). His is greater than mine. If he passes first, will I receive a portion of his benefit added into mine?
Katherine
I am going through a divorce. How do I find out if spouse is receiving disability?
Marianne s.
If I were to retire at the age of 63 for early social security. Would I be able to collect part of my husbands retirement after being married for “One” year? I had heard there is a special “act”. How does that work? Where would I find out this information on line?
David M.
My wife and I are 62 and are both eligible for benefits. If I wait till 70 to claim my benefit and then die, can she receive 100% of my benefit vice whatever she has previously claimed for her own benefit?
Melanie S.
I am trying to find an estimate of the amount of SS I will receive from my divorced spouse. Yes married longer than 10 years.
A.C.
Hi, Melanie. 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. We hope this helps.
Brigitte
I filed for benefits last June. I was told I would be receiving retroactive pay for this time. It took 7 months to get this approved and now,3 months later they still haven’t finished with my retroactive pay. They do, however, send me bills for $1,300.00 for benefits I received while waiting!
A.C.
Hi, Brigitte. We are sorry to hear about your experience. 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. You can ask to speak to supervisor on your next call or visit. We hope this is resolved soon.
DAVID W.
My wife passed away in 2003 at age 48. We were married for 24+ yrs. I was 46 when she passed. So my question is i am now 63 may i or can i start collecting her benefits?
A.C.
Hi, David. We are sorry to hear about your loss. You are eligible to apply for survivor benefits when you reach age 60 (age 50 or over if disabled). However, there are other factors that may affect your entitlement to these benefits. You can find more information on survivors benefits here. We hope this helps.
Arnold L.
What number do I call to report the death of my spouse?
A.C.
Hi, Arnold. We are sorry to hear about your loss. Typically, the funeral director notifies us of an individual’s passing by sending the deceased person’s death certificate to their local Social Security office. You can call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. You will generally have a shorter wait time if you call later in the day. Representatives are available between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. However, you may report the death of your spouse by submitting their death certificate to your local Social Security office. We hope this helps!
corrine j.
I searched for “husband’s death benefit” and instead a description of retirement benefits came up!
My husband, Gardner L. Jones died Dec. 16, 2019. I want to apply for the death benefit.
A.C.
Hi, Corrine. We are sorry to hear about your loss. You are eligible to apply for survivor benefits when you reach age 60 (age 50 or over if disabled). However, there are other factors that may affect your entitlement to these benefits. You can find more information on survivors benefits here. Thanks!
Sharon H.
I am divorced and receiving SS . My ex just expired. Can I receive his SS if it is more than mine and if we had been married for 36 years? Also, if his existing wife applies can we both benefit or just one? They have been married at least 10 years.
Thx
A.C.
Hi, Sharon. Thank you for your question, Tabatha. Both of you can receive benefits under your deceased husband’s record. A divorced spouse of a worker who dies, could get benefits jut the same as a widow, provided that their marriage lasted 10 years or more. The benefit amount paid to a widow and to a surviving divorced spouse does not affect their benefit rates or that of any other survivors that can receive benefits on the worker’s record.
You may qualify for reduced Widow’s Benefits at age 60 (50 if you are disabled). If you need more information or need to apply, call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. We hope this helps.