What a spousal benefit is and who can receive it

A spousal benefit is a monthly payment from Social Security based on your spouse's work record rather than your own. You do not need to have worked, or to have worked much, to receive it. The amount is typically up to 50 percent of what your spouse receives at their full retirement age — though the exact amount depends on your age when you start taking it and whether your spouse has already started taking their own benefit.

You can receive a spousal benefit if you are at least 62 years old and your spouse is already receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits. In some cases, you may also receive a spousal benefit if your spouse is at least 62 but has not yet filed — though the rules around this changed in 2015 and are stricter now. A divorced person can also receive a spousal benefit on an ex-spouse's record if the marriage lasted at least 10 years, the ex-spouse is at least 62, and you are not currently married.

Key Takeaways

  • A spousal benefit pays you based on your spouse's Social Security record, and the maximum is roughly 50 percent of what your spouse receives at their full retirement age.
  • You must be at least 62 years old, and your spouse must either be receiving benefits already or be at least 62 years old.
  • If you claim before your full retirement age, your spousal benefit is reduced — the earlier you claim, the smaller the payment.
  • You cannot receive both your own retirement benefit and a spousal benefit at the same time; Social Security pays you the larger of the two.
  • Divorced people can claim on an ex-spouse's record if the marriage lasted 10 years and both are at least 62.

How the payment amount is calculated

Social Security calculates your spousal benefit as a percentage of your spouse's primary insurance amount — the benefit they would receive at their full retirement age. The maximum spousal benefit is 50 percent of that amount, but you receive less if you claim before your own full retirement age.

The reduction is permanent. If your full retirement age is 67 and you claim a spousal benefit at 62, you receive roughly 32 to 35 percent of your spouse's primary insurance amount instead of 50 percent. If you wait until 70, you still receive 50 percent — spousal benefits do not increase beyond full retirement age the way your own retirement benefit would.

Your spouse's actual benefit amount matters too. If your spouse delayed claiming until 70, their benefit is higher than it would have been at 67, which means your spousal benefit is also higher. If your spouse claimed early at 62, their benefit is lower, and so is yours.

When you can start receiving a spousal benefit

You can claim a spousal benefit as early as age 62, but the amount you receive will be permanently reduced. Most people receive the full 50 percent only if they wait until their full retirement age, which is 66 or 67 depending on birth year.

Your spouse must have already filed for benefits, or in limited cases, be at least 62 and willing to file. If your spouse has not filed yet, you generally cannot claim a spousal benefit until they do — even if they are old enough. The exception is if your spouse was born before January 2, 1954; in that case, they may have the option to file and suspend, which allows you to claim a spousal benefit while they delay their own. This option is no longer available to people born after that date.

If you are already receiving your own retirement benefit, you cannot also receive a spousal benefit. Social Security will pay you whichever is larger, but not both.

How spousal benefits affect your spouse's payment

Claiming a spousal benefit does not reduce your spouse's payment. Your spouse receives their full benefit amount regardless of whether you claim on their record. The spousal benefit is a separate payment that comes from the Social Security trust fund, not from your spouse's benefit.

However, if your spouse has not yet claimed their own benefit, they may want to file before you do. Once your spouse files, you become able to claim a spousal benefit. If your spouse is still working and earning above the earnings limit, their benefit may be reduced — but that reduction is based on their own earnings, not on your claim.

Spousal benefits for divorced people

You can claim a spousal benefit on a divorced spouse's record if the marriage lasted at least 10 years, you are at least 62, and you are not currently married. You do not need your ex-spouse's permission, and they do not need to know you are claiming.

Your ex-spouse must be at least 62 for you to claim, but they do not have to be receiving benefits yet. If they have not filed, you can still claim on their record once you reach full retirement age — you do not have to wait for them to file first. This is different from the rule for current spouses.

The maximum benefit is the same: roughly 50 percent of your ex-spouse's primary insurance amount if you wait until your full retirement age. The reduction for claiming early is also the same.

What happens if your spouse dies

If you are receiving a spousal benefit and your spouse dies, your benefit converts to a survivor benefit. The amount may change — survivor benefits have different rules than spousal benefits — but you do not have to reapply or contact Social Security to switch. Your payment will continue automatically, though the amount may be higher or lower depending on your age and your spouse's benefit history.

If you have not yet claimed a spousal benefit but your spouse dies, you may be able to claim a widow or widower benefit instead. The rules and amounts are different, and you should contact Social Security to understand your options.

Common mistakes to avoid

One frequent mistake is claiming a spousal benefit too early without understanding the permanent reduction. If you claim at 62 instead of waiting until 67, you lose roughly 30 percent of your benefit for life. That is a large cost if you live into your 80s.

Another mistake is assuming your spouse must file first. If your spouse was born before January 2, 1954, they may have had the option to file and suspend, which would have let you claim a spousal benefit while they delayed. That option is gone now, but some people still believe it exists and delay filing unnecessarily.

A third mistake is not realizing that you cannot receive both your own retirement benefit and a spousal benefit. If you have worked and earned your own benefit, Social Security will pay you the larger amount — but not both. This matters if your own benefit is close to or larger than the spousal benefit you would receive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim a spousal benefit if my spouse has not filed yet?

It depends on your spouse's birth date. If they were born before January 2, 1954, they may have been able to file and suspend, which would let you claim a spousal benefit while they delay. If they were born after that date, you generally cannot claim until they file. However, if you reach your full retirement age, you may have other options — contact Social Security to discuss your specific situation.

Does claiming a spousal benefit reduce my spouse's payment?

No. Your spouse receives their full benefit regardless of whether you claim on their record. Your spousal benefit is a separate payment from the Social Security trust fund. The only way your spouse's benefit is reduced is if they themselves claimed early or if they are still working and earning above the earnings limit.

What is the maximum spousal benefit I can receive?

The maximum is roughly 50 percent of your spouse's primary insurance amount — the benefit they would receive at their full retirement age. If you claim before your full retirement age, you receive less. If you wait until your full retirement age, you receive the full 50 percent. Spousal benefits do not increase if you wait past your full retirement age.

Can I claim a spousal benefit on my ex-spouse's record?

Yes, if the marriage lasted at least 10 years, you are at least 62, you are not currently married, and your ex-spouse is at least 62. You do not need their permission. If your ex-spouse has not filed yet, you can still claim once you reach your full retirement age — you do not have to wait for them to file first.

What happens to my spousal benefit if my spouse dies?

Your spousal benefit converts to a survivor or widow/widower benefit. The amount may change, but you do not have to reapply. Contact Social Security if you want to understand how the new amount is calculated, or if your spouse dies before you have claimed a spousal benefit.