Social Security Spousal Benefits: What Married Couples Need to Know

Social Security Spousal Benefits: What Married Couples Need to Know

Marriage isn’t just about love, tax breaks, and arguing over who forgot to take out the trash. It also comes with a valuable Social Security spousal benefits that many couples overlook. Social Security spousal benefits allow eligible partners to collect a portion of their spouse’s retirement or disability benefits, providing financial security during your golden years.

Think of it as the government’s way of saying, “Congratulations on finding someone who tolerates your snoring – here’s some retirement money!”

These Social Security spousal benefits are particularly valuable in two situations: when one spouse doesn’t qualify for Social Security (perhaps because they were focused on caregiving instead of paid employment), or when one spouse qualifies for a much larger benefit than the other.

A few important points to remember about Social Security benefits:

• Your spouse doesn’t lose any retirement benefits when you claim spousal benefits
• Ex-spouses can qualify too, even years after divorce
• These benefits differ from survivor benefits (which apply after a spouse passes away)
• The maximum spousal benefit is 50% of your spouse’s full retirement age benefit

Who Qualifies for Social Security Spousal Benefits?

To qualify for Social Security spousal benefits, your spouse must be collecting Social Security retirement or disability benefits. Additionally, you need to:

• Be at least 62 years old
• OR be caring for a child under 16 who belongs to your spouse
• OR be caring for a child with a disability who’s entitled to benefits on your spouse’s record

These benefits are especially valuable if you spent years raising children or caring for relatives instead of building your own work history. If your employment record is spottier than a dalmatian, Social Security spousal benefits might be your ticket to a more comfortable retirement.

Can I Still Qualify If We’re Divorced?

Yes, you can potentially collect ex-spouse benefits through Social Security from an ex-spouse’s record! It’s like getting alimony without the awkward conversations.

To qualify for ex-spouse benefits through Social Security, you must have been married for at least 10 years – approximately 3,650 days of putting up with someone’s questionable taste in music and weird family traditions.

You also need to:

• Be at least 62 years old
• Be unmarried (or your subsequent marriage ended)
• Be caring for a child under 16 or disabled (in some circumstances)

If you remarry, you generally can’t collect benefits from your ex unless your new marriage ends. However, your ex can remarry without affecting your benefits. And don’t worry – the Social Security Administration won’t tell your ex you’re still benefiting from your connection to them!

How Much Can You Receive in Spousal Benefits?

The maximum Social Security spousal benefit is 50% of what your spouse would receive at their full retirement age. That’s half their benefit amount, and you didn’t even have to contribute to the system yourself!

Your full retirement age for Social Security depends on when you were born:

• Born 1943-1954: 66 (The Beatles generation)
• Born in 1955: 66 and 2 months (slightly younger Beatles fans)
• Born in 1956: 66 and 4 months
• Born in 1957: 66 and 6 months
• Born in 1958: 66 and 8 months
• Born in 1959: 66 and 10 months
• Born 1960 or later: 67 (the youngsters)

Here’s a quirky rule: If you were born on the 1st of any month, the Social Security Administration pretends you were born the previous month when calculating benefits.

If you wait until your full retirement age to claim spousal benefits, you’ll get the full 50%. Unlike regular retirement benefits, there’s no bonus for waiting longer to apply for spousal benefits.

When Should You Apply for Spousal Benefits?

You can start collecting Social Security spousal benefits as early as age 62, but your benefit amount could be reduced to as little as 32.5% of your spouse’s amount if you claim early. That’s like ordering a large pizza but getting a medium instead.

The reduction follows a formula that would make even math teachers sigh: 25/36ths of 1% for each month before full retirement age, up to 36 months. After that, it’s 5/12ths of 1% for each additional month.

For example, if you were born in January 1960 and start collecting in January 2026, you’d be one year early. Your Social Security spousal benefit would be reduced to 45.84% of your spouse’s amount. Wait just one more year to reach your full retirement age, and you’d qualify for the full 50%!

For more insights on timing, see our guide: When Should You Apply for Spousal Benefits?

How to Apply for Social Security Spousal Benefits

When you apply for spousal benefits, you’re automatically applying for your own Social Security retirement benefits too. The Social Security Administration gives you whichever is higher – it’s like going to a buffet and only taking the prime rib.

You can apply once you’re 61 years and 9 months old by visiting the Social Security website. If both you and your spouse have My Social Security accounts, you can check eligibility and calculate potential benefit amounts.

In your account, look for the “Plan for Retirement” section and choose one of these options:

• “See what you could receive from a spouse” (if you don’t qualify for your own benefit)
• “Include a spouse?” (if you qualify for your own benefit too)

Then select when you want to start collecting and enter your spouse’s estimated benefit at their full retirement age.

And voilà! You’re on your way to enjoying the Social Security spousal benefits you’re entitled to – which seems only fair after all those years of listening to your spouse’s dad jokes.