What a spousal benefit is and who can receive it

A spousal benefit is a Social Security payment based on your spouse's work record rather than your own. If you are married, divorced, or widowed, you may be able to collect this benefit even if you have little or no work history yourself, or if your own benefit would be smaller than half of what your spouse receives.

The amount you receive is typically up to 50 percent of what your spouse gets at their full retirement age — not 50 percent of what they actually claim. This distinction matters: if your spouse claims early and receives a reduced amount, your spousal benefit is still calculated from their full retirement age amount, then reduced because you are claiming early.

You do not need to have worked to receive a spousal benefit. The Social Security Administration bases the payment entirely on your spouse's earnings record, which is why it is sometimes called a "non-working spouse" benefit, though many people who receive it have worked.

Key Takeaways

  • A spousal benefit can be up to 50 percent of your spouse's full retirement age amount, and you can receive it even without your own work history.
  • You must be at least 62 years old and your spouse must be at least 62 or already receiving Social Security to claim a spousal benefit.
  • If you were married for at least 10 years and are now divorced, you can claim on your ex-spouse's record without their knowledge or permission.
  • Claiming before your full retirement age reduces your spousal benefit permanently, and the reduction is steeper than it is for retirement benefits.
  • If you are may be able to access for both your own benefit and a spousal benefit, Social Security will pay your own benefit first, then add a partial spousal amount if it is larger.

Who qualifies for a spousal benefit

You must be at least 62 years old to claim a spousal benefit. Your spouse must also be at least 62 years old, or already be receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits. If your spouse has not yet claimed, you cannot claim on their record until they do.

For married couples, you must be legally married at the time you claim. For divorced people, you must have been married for at least 10 years, be at least 62, and currently be unmarried. You can claim on an ex-spouse's record even if they have remarried, and even if they have not yet claimed Social Security themselves — as long as they are at least 62.

Widows and widowers can claim spousal benefits at 60, or at any age if they are caring for a child under 16. This is an exception to the 62-year-old rule and applies only to surviving spouses.

How the payment amount is calculated

The Social Security Administration calculates your spousal benefit by first determining your spouse's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) — the benefit they would receive at their full retirement age. Your spousal benefit is then up to 50 percent of that PIA.

However, if you also have your own Social Security benefit, the agency pays your own benefit first. If your spousal benefit would be larger, they add the difference. This is called the excess spousal amount. For example, if your own benefit is $800 and half of your spouse's PIA is $1,200, you receive $800 plus $400 (the excess), for a total of $1,200.

The exact amount depends on when you claim. If you claim before your full retirement age, both your own benefit and the spousal portion are reduced. The reduction for the spousal part is steeper than for your own retirement benefit, so waiting longer makes a larger difference for spousal claims.

How claiming age affects your spousal benefit

If you claim at 62 (the earliest age), your spousal benefit is reduced by about 32 to 35 percent from the maximum 50 percent. The exact reduction depends on how many months early you are claiming. If you wait until your full retirement age, you receive the full 50 percent of your spouse's PIA with no reduction.

Waiting past your full retirement age does not increase a spousal benefit the way it increases your own retirement benefit. Your spousal benefit maxes out at 50 percent of your spouse's PIA, reached at your full retirement age. However, your own retirement benefit continues to grow by about 8 percent per year until age 70, so the total you receive may still increase if you wait.

Your spouse's claiming age also affects your payment. If your spouse claims early, their benefit is reduced, but your spousal benefit is still calculated from their full retirement age amount and then reduced only because you are claiming early — not because they did. This is why it sometimes makes sense for one spouse to delay claiming while the other claims early.

Spousal benefits for divorced people

If you were married for at least 10 years and are now divorced, you can claim a spousal benefit on your ex-spouse's record. You do not need their permission, and they do not need to know. You must be at least 62 and unmarried at the time you claim.

If your ex-spouse has not yet claimed Social Security, you can still claim on their record once they reach 62 — even if they choose never to claim themselves. The only exception is if your ex is younger than 62; in that case, you must wait until they turn 62 before you can use their record.

The benefit amount works the same way as for married couples: up to 50 percent of your ex-spouse's PIA, reduced if you claim before your full retirement age. If you remarry, you lose the ability to claim on your ex-spouse's record, though you may gain the ability to claim on your new spouse's record instead.

Spousal benefits for widows and widowers

If your spouse has died, you can claim a widow's or widower's benefit at 60, or at any age if you are caring for their child who is under 16. The maximum widow's or widower's benefit at full retirement age is 100 percent of what your spouse was receiving or may have access to to receive — significantly more than the 50 percent maximum for living spouses.

If you claim at 60, the benefit is reduced to about 71 to 72 percent of your spouse's full retirement age amount. If you wait until your full retirement age, you receive the full amount. Remarrying before age 60 ends your may be able to access, though remarrying at 60 or later does not affect your benefit.

You can also claim on a deceased ex-spouse's record if you were married for at least 10 years, are at least 60, and are currently unmarried. The same rules about remarriage explore.

How spousal benefits interact with your own benefit

If you have your own Social Security work record, you are may have access to to your own retirement benefit. The Social Security Administration will pay whichever is larger: your own full benefit, or your own benefit plus the excess spousal amount. You cannot choose to take only the spousal portion and leave your own benefit for later.

This matters most if you were born before January 2, 1954. People born on or after that date are subject to deemed filing rules, which mean claiming one benefit automatically triggers a claim for the other. If you were born earlier, you may have had the option to claim spousal benefits while delaying your own, but that window has largely closed.

If you are still working and earn above a certain amount, your Social Security benefit (including any spousal portion) may be temporarily reduced. Once you reach your full retirement age, the reduction stops and your benefit is recalculated to account for the months you did not receive a payment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim a spousal benefit if my spouse has not claimed Social Security yet?

It depends on your spouse's age. If your spouse is 62 or older, you can claim on their record even if they have not claimed yet. If they are younger than 62, you must wait until they turn 62. Your spouse does not have to claim themselves for you to use their record.

What happens to my spousal benefit if my spouse dies?

Your spousal benefit ends, but you may become may be able to access for a widow's or widower's benefit instead. The widow's or widower's benefit is calculated differently and is often larger than the spousal benefit was. Contact Social Security to report your spouse's death and learn what you are now may have access to to receive.

If I claim a spousal benefit at 62, can I change my mind and wait until later?

You can withdraw your claim within 12 months of claiming and repay what you received, which resets your benefit to a higher amount. After 12 months, you cannot withdraw. If you are past full retirement age, you can suspend your benefit to let it grow, but this is rarely the best choice for spousal benefits since they do not increase past full retirement age.

Does my spouse's remarriage affect my spousal benefit?

No. Once you are receiving a spousal benefit, your spouse's remarriage does not change your payment. However, if you are divorced and have not yet claimed, remarrying yourself will end your ability to claim on your ex-spouse's record.

How much will I receive if I claim a spousal benefit?

The amount depends on your spouse's earnings record, your age when you claim, and whether you have your own Social Security benefit. You can see an estimate by creating an account on ssa.gov and viewing your Social Security statement, or by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to speak with a representative.