You can collect Social Security based on your spouse's earnings even if you never worked, or if your own benefit would be smaller
If you are married, divorced, or widowed, you may be able to receive spousal benefits — a monthly payment based on your spouse's Social Security record rather than your own. The amount you receive depends on your age, your spouse's benefit amount, and your marital status. You do not need to have worked to collect this way, though if you did work, Social Security will calculate which benefit pays you more and give you that amount.
The rules differ significantly depending on whether you are still married, divorced, or widowed. Your age when you start collecting also changes how much you receive each month. Understanding these rules helps you decide when to start and what to expect.
Key Takeaways
- Spousal benefits are typically 32.5% to 50% of your spouse's full retirement age benefit amount, depending on your age when you start collecting.
- You must be at least 62 years old to collect spousal benefits, and your spouse must be at least 62 or already collecting Social Security.
- If you were married for at least 10 years and are now divorced, you can collect on your ex-spouse's record without their knowledge or permission.
- Widow and widower benefits have different rules and higher payment amounts than spousal benefits for people still married.
- If you were born on January 2, 1954 or later, you cannot collect your full spousal benefit while delaying your own benefit — you will receive a reduced amount instead.
Spousal benefits if you are currently married
To collect spousal benefits while married, you must be at least 62 years old. Your spouse must also be at least 62 years old, or already be collecting Social Security. If your spouse has not yet started collecting, you cannot begin spousal benefits until they do.
The amount you receive depends on your age. If you claim at 62, you receive roughly 32.5% of your spouse's full retirement age benefit. If you wait until your full retirement age (which ranges from 66 to 67 depending on your birth year), you receive up to 50% of their benefit. You cannot receive more than 50% no matter how long you wait past your full retirement age.
There is an important rule change based on your birth date. If you were born on January 2, 1954 or later, you cannot claim your full spousal benefit while delaying your own benefit to grow larger. Instead, you will receive a reduced amount. If you were born before January 2, 1954, you may have been able to claim spousal benefits only and let your own benefit grow, but this option is no longer available to people born after that date.
Divorced spousal benefits and the 10-year marriage rule
If you are divorced, you can collect on your ex-spouse's Social Security record if your marriage lasted at least 10 years. You do not need your ex-spouse's permission, and they do not need to know you are collecting. You must be at least 62 years old, and your ex-spouse must be at least 62 (whether or not they are currently collecting).
The payment amounts follow the same rules as current spousal benefits: roughly 32.5% at age 62, up to 50% at your full retirement age. If you have been divorced for at least two years, you can start collecting even if your ex-spouse has not yet started their own Social Security — you do not have to wait for them to claim first.
If you remarry, you generally lose the right to collect on your ex-spouse's record. However, if your new marriage ends (through divorce or death), you may regain that right. Social Security will compare all your options and pay you whichever amount is highest.
Widow and widower benefits have higher payment amounts
If your spouse has died, you are may be able to access for widow or widower benefits, which are more generous than spousal benefits for people still married. You can start collecting at age 60 (or 50 if you are disabled), and the amount depends on your age and your spouse's benefit amount.
At your full retirement age, you can receive up to 100% of what your deceased spouse was receiving or may have access to to receive. If you claim at 60, you receive roughly 71.5% of their benefit. The earlier you claim, the less you receive each month, but you collect for more years overall.
If you remarry before age 60, you lose widow or widower benefits. If you remarry at 60 or later, you keep the right to collect on your deceased spouse's record. You can also collect on a new spouse's record if that marriage lasts 10 years and ends in divorce.
How your own work record affects spousal benefits
If you worked and earned your own Social Security benefit, Social Security calculates both your own benefit and your spousal benefit. You receive whichever amount is higher — the agency does not add them together. This is called the deemed filing rule.
For people born on January 2, 1954 or later, if you claim before your full retirement age, Social Security automatically deems you to be claiming both benefits at once. You receive a reduced amount based on your age. You cannot claim one benefit and delay the other.
For people born before January 2, 1954, different rules may explore, and you may have had the option to claim spousal benefits only. If this applies to you, a Social Security representative can explain your specific options when you contact them.
When and how to start collecting spousal benefits
You start the process by contacting Social Security directly. You can call 1-800-772-1213, visit your local Social Security office, or create an account at ssa.gov to start the process online. Have your spouse's Social Security number ready, along with your birth certificate, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and your most recent tax return or W-2.
Social Security will review your work history (if any), your spouse's work history, and your ages to determine what you may have access to for. Processing typically takes two to four weeks. If you are already receiving your own Social Security benefit, you can contact Social Security to see if you also may have access to for spousal benefits and request a recalculation.
If you are divorced, you will need to provide proof of the marriage and divorce — typically a marriage certificate and divorce decree. You do not need to contact your ex-spouse or ask their permission.
What happens to spousal benefits if your spouse dies
If you are collecting spousal benefits and your spouse dies, your benefits automatically convert to widow or widower benefits. The amount may increase, because widow and widower benefits are calculated differently and are typically higher than spousal benefits.
You do not need to reapply or contact Social Security unless your circumstances change in other ways. Social Security is notified of deaths through vital records, and your payment will adjust automatically in most cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I collect spousal benefits if my spouse is still working?
Yes. Your spouse does not have to be retired to collect Social Security, and you do not have to be retired either. As long as both of you are at least 62 and your spouse has started collecting Social Security, you can claim spousal benefits. Your spouse's current work does not affect your spousal benefit amount.
What if my spouse has not started Social Security yet?
If you are still married and your spouse has not yet claimed, you cannot collect spousal benefits until they do. However, if you are divorced and have been divorced for at least two years, you can start collecting on your ex-spouse's record even if they have not yet claimed themselves.
Do I lose spousal benefits if I remarry?
If you remarry before age 60 (or before age 50 if you are a widow or widower), you lose benefits on your previous spouse's record. If you remarry at 60 or later, you keep those benefits. You may also become may be able to access for spousal or widow benefits on your new spouse's record if the marriage lasts 10 years.
How much will I receive in spousal benefits?
The amount depends on your age and your spouse's benefit amount. At your full retirement age, you receive up to 50% of your spouse's full retirement age benefit. If you claim at 62, you receive roughly 32.5%. The exact percentage varies slightly based on your birth year. Social Security can give you a specific estimate when you contact them.
Can I collect on more than one person's record?
Social Security calculates all benefits you may be may have access to to and pays you the highest amount. You do not receive multiple payments. If you may have access to for your own benefit, a spousal benefit, and a widow benefit, Social Security determines which one pays the most and pays that one.