What spousal Social Security is
Spousal Social Security is a benefit paid to the husband, wife, or ex-spouse of someone who is already receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits. You do not need your own work history to receive it — the benefit is based on your spouse's earnings record instead. The amount you receive is typically up to half of what your spouse gets, though the exact amount depends on your age when you start and whether you have your own Social Security benefit.
This benefit exists because Social Security recognizes that one spouse may have spent years caring for children or a home instead of working, and should not be left without retirement income. If you were married for at least 10 years, you may be able to receive spousal benefits even after a divorce.
Key Takeaways
- Spousal benefits are typically up to 50 percent of your spouse's full retirement amount, but the exact percentage depends on your age when you start receiving them.
- You must be at least 62 years old to receive spousal benefits, and your spouse must already be receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits.
- If you were divorced after at least 10 years of marriage, you may receive spousal benefits on your ex-spouse's record without them knowing or needing to agree.
- If you have your own Social Security benefit, Social Security will pay whichever is higher — your own benefit or the spousal amount — not both.
- The longer you wait to start spousal benefits after age 62, the smaller your monthly payment will be.
How much spousal benefit you receive
The amount of spousal benefit you receive depends on two things: your spouse's benefit amount and your age when you start collecting. If your spouse receives $2,000 per month, the maximum spousal benefit would be $1,000 — but only if you wait until your full retirement age to start. If you start at 62, the amount is reduced, sometimes to as little as 32.5 percent of your spouse's benefit.
Social Security will also compare your own benefit (if you have a work history) to the spousal amount. You receive whichever is higher. This means if your own retirement benefit would be $900 and the spousal benefit would be $1,000, you receive $1,000 — not $1,900. Social Security does not combine the two.
The reduction for starting early is permanent. If you claim spousal benefits at 62 instead of waiting until 67 or 70, your monthly payment will be smaller for the rest of your life. There is no way to undo this choice later.
Age requirements and when you can start
You must be at least 62 years old to receive spousal benefits. Your spouse must also be receiving Social Security — either retirement benefits or disability benefits. If your spouse has not yet started collecting, they must be at least 62 themselves (or already approved for disability).
If you reach your full retirement age — which is 66, 67, or 68 depending on your birth year — you can receive the full spousal benefit (up to 50 percent of your spouse's amount). If you start before your full retirement age, the benefit is reduced. The reduction is steeper the earlier you claim.
There is one exception: if you are caring for your spouse's child who is under 16, you may be able to receive spousal benefits even before age 62. Contact Social Security directly to ask whether this applies to you.
Spousal benefits after divorce
You can receive spousal benefits on an ex-spouse's record if you were married for at least 10 years and you are at least 62 years old. Your ex-spouse does not need to agree, and they do not need to know you are receiving the benefit. The benefit comes from Social Security, not from your ex-spouse's pocket.
If you are divorced and have remarried, you cannot use your first ex-spouse's record — you can only use your current spouse's record. However, if your current marriage ends in divorce and lasts at least 10 years, you could later switch to that ex-spouse's record if it is higher.
Your ex-spouse must be at least 62 years old for you to receive benefits on their record, but they do not have to be collecting yet. If they have not started Social Security, you can still claim spousal benefits on their record once you reach 62.
How spousal benefits affect your own retirement benefit
If you have your own work history and your own Social Security benefit, Social Security compares the two amounts. You receive the higher of the two, not both combined. This is called the "deemed filing" rule, and it applies to most people born after January 1, 1954.
For example, if your own retirement benefit is $1,200 per month and your spousal benefit would be $900, you receive $1,200. If the spousal benefit would be $1,400, you receive $1,400. Social Security automatically pays whichever is larger.
If you were born before January 2, 1954, different rules may explore. You may have been able to claim spousal benefits first and delay your own benefit to grow larger. If this applies to you, contact Social Security to understand your specific options.
What happens to spousal benefits if your spouse dies
If your spouse dies, your spousal benefit ends. However, you may become may be able to access for survivor benefits instead, which are often higher than the spousal benefit was. Survivor benefits are paid to the widow, widower, or ex-spouse of someone who was receiving Social Security.
The amount of survivor benefit depends on your age and your relationship to the person who died. A widow or widower at full retirement age receives up to 100 percent of what the deceased person was receiving. If you are younger, the amount is reduced.
You should contact Social Security as soon as possible after your spouse's death. They will switch you from spousal benefits to survivor benefits automatically, but you need to report the death so the process can begin.
How to start receiving spousal benefits
To receive spousal benefits, you must contact Social Security directly. You can do this by calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), visiting your local Social Security office, or creating an account on ssa.gov and starting the process online.
You will need to provide proof of your age, your marriage certificate (or divorce decree if claiming on an ex-spouse's record), and your spouse's Social Security number. If you were born outside the United States, you may also need to provide proof of citizenship or legal residency. Social Security will tell you what documents to bring.
The process usually takes several weeks. Once you are approved, benefits are deposited directly into your bank account each month. You can choose to have them deposited on the same day each month, typically the second, third, or fourth Wednesday.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I receive spousal benefits if my spouse has not started Social Security yet?
It depends on your spouse's age. If your spouse is at least 62 but has not started collecting, you can still claim spousal benefits on their record once you turn 62. If your spouse is younger than 62, you cannot claim spousal benefits until they reach 62 or become may be able to access for disability benefits.
What if I remarry after starting spousal benefits?
If you remarry, your spousal benefits on your previous spouse's record will stop. You can then claim spousal benefits on your new spouse's record if you are may be able to access. If your new marriage ends in divorce after at least 10 years, you could later switch back to your previous ex-spouse's record if that benefit is higher.
Do spousal benefits count as income for Medicare or other programs?
Yes, spousal benefits are counted as income. They may affect your may be able to access for certain programs like Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and they may increase the amount you pay for Medicare Part B and Part D premiums. Contact your state's Medicaid office or Medicare directly to understand how spousal benefits affect your specific situation.
Can I receive spousal benefits and work at the same time?
Yes, but if you are under your full retirement age and earn more than a certain amount per year, Social Security will reduce your benefits. For 2024, if you earn more than $23,400 per year before your full retirement age, Social Security deducts $1 from your benefits for every $2 you earn above that amount. Once you reach your full retirement age, there is no limit on how much you can earn.
What if my spouse and I both have our own Social Security benefits?
You each receive your own benefit based on your own work history. You do not receive an additional spousal benefit on top of your own. However, if the spousal benefit calculated on your spouse's record would be higher than your own benefit, Social Security pays you the higher amount instead.