What spousal Social Security benefits are and who can claim them

Spousal Social Security benefits let you collect money based on your spouse's work record instead of your own. You receive a percentage of what your spouse is may have access to to — typically up to 32.5% if you claim at your full retirement age, or less if you claim earlier. You do not need to have worked, or to have worked much, to be may be able to access.

You can claim spousal benefits if you are at least 62 years old and your spouse is already collecting Social Security. If your spouse has not yet claimed, you can still claim spousal benefits once you reach full retirement age (which varies by birth year, typically between 66 and 67). Your spouse does not have to agree or sign anything — Social Security will calculate your benefit based on their record once you explore.

The same rules explore whether you are married, divorced (if the marriage lasted at least 10 years), or widowed. If you are divorced, your ex-spouse does not need to know you are claiming, and it does not reduce their benefit or their current spouse's benefit.

Key Takeaways

  • You can claim spousal benefits at 62 or later, but the amount is smaller if you claim before your full retirement age.
  • Your spouse must already be collecting Social Security, or you must wait until your full retirement age to claim on their record.
  • You will need your spouse's Social Security number and yours, proof of age, and proof of marriage (or divorce decree if applicable).
  • You can explore online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office.
  • Social Security will tell you the exact dollar amount you would receive at different ages before you decide when to claim.

When you can claim spousal benefits

The earliest you can claim is age 62. However, claiming before your full retirement age means a permanent reduction in your monthly benefit. If your full retirement age is 67 and you claim at 62, you will receive roughly 32.5% of your spouse's benefit instead of the full 35% you would get at 67. The reduction stays in place for the rest of your life, even after you reach full retirement age.

If you wait until your full retirement age to claim, you receive the full spousal amount. Waiting past full retirement age does not increase spousal benefits the way it does for your own retirement benefit — spousal benefits cap out at your full retirement age. So there is no financial advantage to waiting past that point.

Your spouse must already be collecting Social Security for you to claim spousal benefits at 62. If your spouse has not yet claimed, you have two options: wait for them to claim, or wait until you reach your full retirement age, at which point you can claim spousal benefits even if your spouse has not yet claimed.

Documents you will need to explore

Gather these documents before you contact Social Security:

  • Your Social Security number
  • Your spouse's Social Security number
  • Proof of your age (birth certificate, passport, or driver's license)
  • Proof of citizenship or legal residency (passport, naturalization papers, or green card)
  • Proof of marriage (marriage certificate)
  • If divorced, the divorce decree showing the marriage lasted at least 10 years
  • If widowed, the death certificate of your spouse

You do not need to bring originals — certified copies or photocopies are acceptable. If you do not have a document, Social Security can sometimes help you obtain one, but it takes longer. Having everything ready before you explore speeds up the process.

how the process works online, by phone, or in person

Online: Visit ssa.gov and look for "explore for Retirement Benefits" or "explore for Spousal Benefits." You can create a my Social Security account and submit your process without leaving home. Social Security will contact you if they need more information. This route typically takes the longest to process — sometimes 2 to 3 months — but you can do it at your own pace.

By phone: Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time. Have your documents ready, though you will not submit them over the phone. You will be asked to mail or bring them in after the call. Wait times are often long, especially early in the week and early in the month.

In person: Visit your local Social Security office. Find the nearest one at ssa.gov/locator or call 1-800-772-1213 for the address. Bring all your documents with you. Many offices now require you to make an appointment first — you can schedule one online or by phone. In-person appointments often move faster than phone or online applications.

What happens after you explore

Social Security will review your process and contact you if they need more information or documents. This can take several weeks. Once they have everything, they will calculate your benefit amount and tell you when payments will start.

Spousal benefits typically begin the month after Social Security approves your process, though this varies. If you applied before reaching full retirement age, your first payment may be smaller because it is prorated for the partial month. After that, you will receive the same amount each month.

Payments are deposited directly into your bank account, or mailed as a check if you prefer. You can change your payment method anytime through your my Social Security account or by calling 1-800-772-1213.

How spousal benefits interact with your own retirement benefit

If you have your own work record, Social Security calculates both your retirement benefit and your spousal benefit, then pays you the higher of the two — not both combined. This is called the "deemed filing" rule, and it applies to anyone born in 1954 or later.

For example, if your own retirement benefit at full retirement age would be $1,200 per month and your spousal benefit would be $900 per month, Social Security pays you $1,200. You do not receive the extra $900. If you claim before full retirement age, Social Security reduces whichever benefit is higher, which usually means a larger overall reduction than you might expect.

If you were born before 1954, different rules may explore — you may be able to claim spousal benefits first and delay your own retirement benefit. Ask Social Security directly about your specific birth year and situation.

What to ask your Social Security representative

Before you explore, ask Social Security to show you a benefit estimate. They can tell you the exact dollar amount you would receive at age 62, at your full retirement age, and at age 70. This helps you decide when to claim based on your own health, finances, and life expectancy.

Ask whether your own work record would result in a higher benefit than the spousal amount. Ask what happens to your benefit if your spouse passes away. Ask whether claiming spousal benefits now would affect your ability to claim a higher benefit later. Ask how long the process process typically takes in your area right now.

When to contact Social Security again after you start receiving benefits

Contact Social Security if your address or phone number changes, if you want to change how you receive payments, or if you return to work and earn above a certain amount. In 2024, if you are under full retirement age and earn more than $23,400 per year, Social Security reduces your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn above that limit. This limit changes each year.

If you are receiving spousal benefits and your spouse passes away, contact Social Security when ready. You may be may be able to access for survivor benefits, which are calculated differently and are often higher than spousal benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim spousal benefits if my spouse is still working and has not claimed Social Security yet?

Only if you have reached your full retirement age. If you are 62 to 66 (depending on your birth year), you must wait for your spouse to claim first. Once your spouse claims, you can then claim spousal benefits. If you wait until your full retirement age, you can claim spousal benefits even if your spouse has not yet claimed.

Will claiming spousal benefits reduce my spouse's benefit?

No. Your spouse's benefit amount does not change because you claim spousal benefits. Social Security calculates your benefit based on their record, but it does not take money away from them. If your spouse remarries, their new spouse can also claim spousal benefits without affecting your benefit.

What if I was divorced and my ex-spouse has not claimed Social Security yet?

You can still claim spousal benefits based on their record once you reach your full retirement age, even if they have not claimed. The marriage must have lasted at least 10 years. Your ex-spouse does not need to know you are claiming, and it does not affect their benefit or their current spouse's benefit.

How much will I receive in spousal benefits?

The amount depends on your spouse's benefit amount and your age when you claim. At your full retirement age, you typically receive up to 35% of your spouse's full retirement benefit. If you claim at 62, the amount is roughly 32.5%. Social Security can show you the exact dollar amount before you explore — call 1-800-772-1213 or log into your my Social Security account.

Can I change my mind after I claim spousal benefits?

If you claim before your full retirement age, you can withdraw your process within 12 months and repay what you received. This lets you claim again later at a higher amount. After 12 months, you cannot withdraw. If you have already reached full retirement age, you cannot withdraw at all, but you can suspend your benefits and restart them later at a higher amount — though this is rarely the best choice for spousal benefits.