You must be married, divorced, or widowed, and your spouse must have already claimed

Social Security spousal benefits let you collect based on your spouse's earnings record instead of your own. To claim, you must be at least 62 years old, and your spouse must have already begun collecting their own Social Security benefits — or be at least 62 and willing to file so you can claim on their record.

If you are divorced, you can claim on an ex-spouse's record if the marriage lasted at least 10 years, you are not currently married, and your ex-spouse is at least 62. You do not need their permission or knowledge to file.

The amount you receive is a percentage of what your spouse gets, not a percentage of what they earned. The exact amount depends on your age when you claim and your own earnings history. If you have your own Social Security record, the Social Security Administration will pay you the higher of the two amounts — your own benefit or the spousal benefit — but not both.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be at least 62 and your spouse must have already claimed Social Security or be willing to file before you can claim spousal benefits.
  • Divorced people can claim on an ex-spouse's record if married for 10 years or more, are not currently married, and the ex-spouse is at least 62.
  • You will receive a percentage of your spouse's benefit amount, and Social Security pays whichever is higher: your own benefit or the spousal benefit.
  • You can file online, by phone, or in person at your local Social Security office, and you will need documents proving your identity, citizenship, and marriage.

What documents you need to bring or submit

Social Security requires proof of identity, proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency, and proof of the marriage. Acceptable identity documents include a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. If you do not have one of these, you can use a birth certificate, hospital record of birth, or religious record of birth.

For citizenship or residency, bring your U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of U.S. Citizenship, or permanent resident card (green card). If you were born in the U.S., a birth certificate counts as proof of citizenship.

For marriage, bring the original or certified copy of your marriage certificate. If you are divorced, bring the original or certified copy of the divorce decree. If you are widowed, bring the original or certified copy of the death certificate along with the marriage certificate.

If any of your documents are in a language other than English, bring the original and a certified English translation. Social Security will not accept photocopies unless they are certified by the issuing agency.

How to file: three ways to submit your claim

Online through my Social Security: Go to ssa.gov and create or log into your my Social Security account. Click "explore for benefits" and follow the prompts. You can save your process and return to it later. Online filing works best if you have all your documents ready and your information is current in Social Security's records. The process typically takes 15 to 20 minutes.

By phone: Call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Have your documents nearby. A representative will walk you through the questions and submit your claim. Wait times are usually shorter early in the morning or on Wednesdays through Fridays. You do not need to schedule an appointment.

In person at your local Social Security office: Find your nearest office at ssa.gov/locator. Bring all original documents or certified copies. Walk-ins are accepted, but you can also schedule an appointment online or by phone. In-person filing is useful if you have questions about your specific situation or if you need help filling out forms.

What happens after you file

Social Security will review your process and contact you if they need more information. This review usually takes 2 to 4 weeks. They may ask for additional documents or clarification about your work history, marriage, or citizenship status.

Once approved, your first payment arrives by direct deposit or check, depending on how you set it up. Payments typically begin the month after Social Security approves your claim, though if you filed before reaching your full retirement age, there may be a delay while they verify your earnings.

Social Security will send you a notice showing your monthly benefit amount, your payment date, and how they calculated your benefit. Keep this notice for your records. If you disagree with the amount, you can request reconsideration within 60 days of receiving the notice.

How your age affects the amount you receive

The younger you are when you claim spousal benefits, the smaller your monthly payment. If you claim at 62 (the earliest age), you receive roughly 32 to 35 percent of your spouse's benefit. If you wait until your full retirement age — which ranges from 66 to 67 depending on your birth year — you receive about 50 percent of your spouse's benefit.

You cannot receive more than 50 percent of your spouse's benefit, even if you wait past your full retirement age. However, if you have your own Social Security record, the total you receive may be higher because Social Security combines both amounts.

If your spouse has not yet claimed but is at least 62, you can file a restricted process to claim spousal benefits only and let your own benefit grow. This strategy is no longer available to people born after January 1, 1954, but if you were born before that date, it may be worth discussing with a financial planner.

Common mistakes to avoid when filing

Do not wait for your spouse to file first if they are already 62. You can file as soon as your spouse is 62, even if they have not yet claimed. Social Security can process your claim once your spouse reaches that age.

Do not assume your own work history does not matter. Social Security always pays you the higher amount — your own benefit or the spousal benefit. If your own earnings record is strong, you may receive more than the spousal percentage. Request a benefit estimate from Social Security before you file so you know what to expect.

Do not file online if you have a complex situation — for example, if you are divorced from multiple people, were married outside the U.S., or have recent immigration status changes. Call or visit an office instead so a representative can review your full history.

Do not forget to report changes to Social Security. If you return to work, move, change your address, or experience a major life change, tell Social Security within 30 days. Failing to report can delay payments or create overpayments you will have to repay.

Spousal benefits and your own work record

If you have worked and paid Social Security taxes, you have your own benefit amount. Social Security will calculate both your own benefit and your spousal benefit, then pay you whichever is higher. You do not receive both amounts added together.

If your own benefit is higher than the spousal benefit, you will receive only your own benefit. This is true even if you file on your spouse's record. Social Security automatically makes this comparison and pays the larger amount.

If you have not worked much or have a low earnings record, the spousal benefit may be higher. In that case, you will receive the spousal amount. If you continue working after you claim, your benefit may increase each year because Social Security recalculates your earnings record annually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim spousal benefits if my spouse has not claimed yet?

Only if your spouse is at least 62 years old. If they are younger than 62, you must wait. If they are 62 or older but have not filed, they can file at the same time you do, and your claim can be processed when ready. Some people file just so their spouse can claim spousal benefits, even if they do not need the money yet.

What if my ex-spouse does not know I am claiming on their record?

You do not need their permission or knowledge. As long as you were married for at least 10 years, are not currently married, and your ex-spouse is at least 62, you can file on their record. Social Security does not notify your ex-spouse that you have claimed, though they can see it if they check their own account.

Will claiming spousal benefits reduce my spouse's payment?

No. Your spouse's benefit amount does not change because you claim spousal benefits. Each person's benefit is calculated independently. Claiming on your spouse's record does not affect what they receive.

Can I claim spousal benefits and then switch to my own benefit later?

This depends on your birth year. If you were born before January 2, 1954, you can file a restricted process to claim spousal benefits only and let your own benefit grow until age 70. If you were born after that date, you cannot restrict your process — Social Security will pay you based on your full record, and you cannot switch later.

What happens to spousal benefits if my spouse dies?

Your spousal benefit ends, but you may be able to claim widow or widower benefits instead. Widow and widower benefits are calculated differently and may be higher than spousal benefits. Contact Social Security when ready if your spouse dies so they can explain your options and process your claim for survivor benefits.