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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I am currently receiving spousal social security benefits and would like to switch to start receiving my own full social security benefits starting in August. How do I apply to change from receiving SPOUSAL to receiving MY OWN social security benefits?
Vonda V.
Hi Patty, thank you for your question. You can apply for Social Security retirement benefits four months before you want your benefits to start. When you’re ready to apply for retirement benefits, use our online retirement application, the quickest, easiest, and most convenient way to apply. We hope this helps.
E. V.
My aunt’s life partner (40 years) passed away, they lived in New Jersey and then in Florida, would she be able to receive his SS benefits?
Vonda V.
Hi There. Thank you for your question.
In cases where a common-law marriage may be involved, Social Security follows the state laws. So, check the laws in your state. For more information, please visit our Benefits Planner: If You Are the Survivor.
Marilyn p.
Husband died and would like to know my benefits.
Vonda V.
We are very sorry for your loss, Marilyn. If you already receive benefits as a spouse, under your husband’s record, your benefit will automatically convert to widow’s benefits after we receive the report of death. Typically, the funeral director notifies us of an individual’s passing by contacting the local Social Security office.
If you are receiving retirement benefits on your own record, you can only apply for benefits as a widow if your retirement benefit amount is less than the benefits you would receive as a survivor.
You cannot report a death or apply for survivors benefits online. If you need to report a death or apply for benefits, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Jonathan T.
My wife was receiving disability before she passed and now my son receives some of it will I be able to receive any when he turns 18
Vonda V.
Hi Joanathan, we are very sorry for your loss. Widowers benefits are payable, regardless of your age, if you are caring for the deceased’s child who is under age 16. Widowers benefits are payable as early as age 60 (for a reduced benefit) or a full widowers benefit at full retirement age or older.
Use our Survivors Planner to look at how family members are protected.
andy w.
I am confused by this. My husband is 8 years younger than me. If I retire at 64 and he retires at 62, how would this work if my benefits are less than half of his?
Vonda V.
Hi Andy, thank you for your question. We will always pay your own retirement benefit first. If your benefits as a spouse are higher than your own retirement benefits, you will get a combination of benefits equaling the higher spouse benefit. However, the spouse’s benefit cannot exceed one-half of your husband’s full retirement amount (not his reduced benefit amount). So, you can only receive additional spouse’s benefits if your own full retirement benefit (not your reduced benefit) is less than half of your husband’s full retirement benefit.
Generally, during the initial interview when applying for Social Security benefits, we typically explore all other benefits that could yield you a higher benefit amount.
Check out our Retirement Planner: Benefits For You As A Spouse for additional details.
Linda W.
Will I receive retroactive widow benefit if my husband died 16 years ago. I am 62 now and still employed?
Vonda V.
Hi Linda, thanks for using our blog. Widows benefits are payable as early as age 60 (for a reduced benefit) or a full widowers benefit at full retirement age or older. Use our Survivors Planner for more details.
Social Security has earnings limits for retirement (or survivor) beneficiaries receiving benefits prior to their full retirement age. Once you turn full retirement age, your earnings no longer reduce your benefits, no matter how much you earn. Visit our Retirement Planner: Getting Benefits While Working and our Earnings Test Calculator. Hope this helps!
Tonia M.
My husband passed away May 19, 2012 how can I get his social security and am I eligible thank you
Dawn R.
Did you ever get answer? Reason I ask is my sister husband just died and she has no job. She 58 years old
Vonda V.
Hi Tonia, thank you for using our blog. Widows benefits are payable as early as age 60 (for a reduced benefit) or a full widowers benefit at full retirement age or older.
Use our Survivors Planner for additional details.
Maurice
My mother in law is receiving my father in laws benefits, but they don’t live together she lives in another state and she has the checks send to her address she currently resides at.Me and my wife are taking care of him but she is receiving his benefits.
James M.
will me and my spouse get a seperate stimulus check. we get our social security checks by direct deposit
Jane T.
I receive spousal benefits from my husbands social security and am wondering if I am receiving the entire benefit I am entitled. We divorced in 2017. He took early retirement at age 62….I am now 67 and want to be sure I am getting my fair portion of his benefits…
Thanks
Vonda V.
Hi Jane, thank you for using our blog. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. To confirm that you are receiving all benefits that you are due, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.