What spousal benefits are and who can receive them

Spousal benefits let you draw Social Security based on your spouse's work record instead of your own. You receive a monthly payment from Social Security, funded by the same trust that pays retirement benefits to workers. The amount you get depends on your spouse's earnings history and the age at which you claim — not on how much money your spouse has or how much they are currently receiving.

You do not have to be working to receive spousal benefits, and your spouse does not have to be retired yet. Your spouse must have reached age 62 and filed for their own Social Security, or be at least 62 and have a valid Social Security account. If your spouse is still working and has not yet filed, you cannot claim spousal benefits until they do.

Spousal benefits are separate from survivor benefits (which your family receives if you die) and from divorced spousal benefits (which explore if you were married at least 10 years and are now divorced). This article covers spousal benefits for people currently married.

Key Takeaways

  • Spousal benefits are typically 32.5% to 50% of what your spouse receives at their full retirement age, depending on when you claim.
  • You must be at least 62 years old and your spouse must have filed for Social Security before you can claim spousal benefits.
  • Claiming before your full retirement age reduces your monthly payment permanently, and you may also face earnings limits if you are still working.
  • If you are may have access to to your own Social Security benefit, Social Security will pay your own benefit first and add spousal benefits only if the spousal amount is larger.
  • You can claim spousal benefits even if your spouse is still working, as long as they have filed for their own Social Security.

How the payment amount is calculated

Social Security calculates your spousal benefit as a percentage of your spouse's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) — the monthly benefit your spouse receives at their full retirement age. The percentage depends on your age when you claim.

If you claim at your full retirement age (which ranges from 66 to 67 depending on your birth year), you receive 50% of your spouse's PIA. If you claim at 62, the earliest age allowed, you receive about 32.5% of your spouse's PIA. Claiming between 62 and your full retirement age results in a payment somewhere between those two amounts. The reduction is permanent — you do not regain the lost amount later.

Your spouse's current benefit amount does not matter. What matters is their PIA. If your spouse delayed claiming and now receives more than their PIA, your spousal benefit is still based on the PIA, not the larger amount they are receiving.

Age requirements and when you can claim

You must be at least 62 years old to claim spousal benefits. Your spouse must have filed for their own Social Security benefit, even if they have not yet reached their full retirement age. If your spouse is younger than 62, they cannot file yet, which means you cannot claim spousal benefits regardless of your age.

Once your spouse files, you can claim when ready if you are 62 or older. There is no waiting period. However, the earlier you claim, the smaller your monthly payment will be for the rest of your life.

If you wait until your full retirement age to claim spousal benefits, you receive the full 50% of your spouse's PIA. If you wait past your full retirement age, your spousal benefit does not increase further — it stays at 50%. This is different from your own retirement benefit, which grows if you delay past your full retirement age.

How your own benefit affects spousal benefits

If you are may have access to to your own Social Security retirement benefit based on your work record, Social Security will not straightforward add spousal benefits on top. Instead, Social Security calculates both amounts and pays you the larger of the two, or a combination, depending on when you were born.

If you were born on January 2, 1954 or later, Social Security uses a deemed filing rule. When you claim spousal benefits, you are also deemed to have claimed your own retirement benefit at the same time. Social Security pays you your own benefit plus a partial spousal benefit (the difference between 50% of your spouse's PIA and your own benefit). You cannot receive only spousal benefits and delay your own benefit to grow.

If you were born before January 2, 1954, you may have more flexibility. You might be able to claim spousal benefits first while letting your own benefit grow, though this depends on your specific situation and when you file. Contact Social Security directly to understand your options if you were born before this date.

Earnings limits and working while receiving spousal benefits

If you claim spousal benefits before your full retirement age and you are still working, Social Security applies an earnings test. For 2024, if you earn more than $23,400 per year, Social Security reduces your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn above that limit. This reduction applies only until you reach your full retirement age; after that, you can earn as much as you want without penalty.

The earnings limit changes each year. The reduction is temporary — once you reach your full retirement age, your benefit is recalculated to account for the months you did not receive a payment, so you do not lose money permanently.

If you claim at or after your full retirement age, there is no earnings limit. You can work and receive your full spousal benefit with no reduction.

Spousal benefits and taxes

Spousal benefits are treated the same as your own retirement benefits for tax purposes. If your combined income (adjusted gross income plus half your Social Security benefits) exceeds certain thresholds, up to 50% or 85% of your spousal benefits may be subject to federal income tax. The thresholds are $25,000 for single filers and $32,000 for married couples filing jointly.

Some states do not tax Social Security benefits at all. Others tax them based on your total income. Check your state's tax rules or speak with a tax professional if you think your benefits may be taxable.

What happens if your spouse dies

If your spouse dies while you are receiving spousal benefits, your benefit changes. You become may have access to to a widow or widower benefit instead, which is calculated differently and is often larger than the spousal benefit you were receiving. Widow and widower benefits can be as high as 100% of what your spouse was receiving (or may have access to to receive), depending on your age.

You must notify Social Security of your spouse's death. Do this as soon as possible — Social Security cannot process the change retroactively beyond a certain point, and delaying may result in overpayments you will have to repay.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Your spouse must have filed for Social Security before you can claim spousal benefits, but they do not have to be retired or have stopped working. Once they file, you can claim spousal benefits if you are 62 or older, regardless of whether your spouse is still employed.

Will claiming spousal benefits affect my spouse's benefit amount?

No. Your spouse's benefit is based on their own work record and does not change because you claim spousal benefits. Claiming spousal benefits affects only your own payment, not theirs.

What is the difference between spousal benefits and divorced spousal benefits?

Divorced spousal benefits work similarly but explore if you were married at least 10 years and are now divorced. You do not need your ex-spouse's permission to claim, and they do not need to know. Your ex-spouse's current benefit amount does not affect your payment. The age requirements and payment calculations are the same as for spousal benefits.

If I claim spousal benefits early, can I switch to my own benefit later?

If you were born on January 2, 1954 or later, claiming spousal benefits automatically triggers deemed filing of your own benefit. You cannot switch later — both benefits are claimed at the same time. If you were born before that date, ask Social Security about your specific options, as the rules may differ.

How do I start the process of claiming spousal benefits?

Contact Social Security by phone at 1-800-772-1213, visit your local Social Security office, or create an account at ssa.gov to file online. You will need your Social Security number, birth certificate, marriage certificate, and your spouse's Social Security number. Social Security will walk you through the steps and tell you what documents to bring or submit.