A spouse can claim Social Security benefits based on your work record once you reach full retirement age and claim your own benefits, or at any age if you are caring for a child under 16

The most common path is straightforward: your spouse waits until you have claimed your own Social Security, then files for spousal benefits. At that point, your spouse can receive up to 50 percent of your primary insurance amount — the benefit you receive at your full retirement age — regardless of when your spouse actually claims. The catch is that your spouse must be at least 62 years old to claim anything based on your record, and the longer your spouse waits past 62, the larger the monthly payment becomes.

There is one major exception: a spouse caring for your child who is under 16 can claim at any age, even in their 30s or 40s. That child must be your biological child, legally adopted child, or stepchild, and your spouse must be the primary caregiver. This path does not require you to have claimed your benefits yet — you only need to be at least 62 and have a Social Security account.

Key Takeaways

  • A spouse can claim spousal benefits once you claim your own Social Security and have reached your full retirement age, or at any age if caring for your child under 16.
  • The maximum spousal benefit is 50 percent of your primary insurance amount if your spouse claims at full retirement age; claiming earlier reduces that amount.
  • Your spouse must be at least 62 years old to claim spousal benefits based on age alone, but can claim at any age while caring for a child under 16.
  • Spousal benefits do not reduce your own Social Security payment, and your spouse's earnings do not affect their spousal benefit amount.
  • If your spouse was married before, they may be able to claim on a previous spouse's record instead, which sometimes results in a larger payment.

The age requirement and how it affects the payment amount

Your spouse must be at least 62 to claim spousal benefits based on age. However, the age at which your spouse claims directly affects the monthly payment. If your spouse claims at full retirement age — which is between 66 and 67 depending on birth year — they receive 50 percent of your primary insurance amount. If your spouse claims at 62, the payment is reduced to about 32 to 35 percent of your primary insurance amount, depending on your spouse's birth year.

The reduction is permanent. Once your spouse locks in a payment at 62, it stays at that reduced level for life, even if they live to 95. This is why some couples choose to wait: a spouse who claims at 70 instead of 62 receives a significantly larger monthly check, though they receive fewer total checks over their lifetime if they do not live into their mid-80s.

Your spouse's decision does not affect your own benefit. You receive your full amount regardless of when or whether your spouse claims spousal benefits.

Claiming while caring for a child under 16

A spouse caring for your child under 16 can claim spousal benefits at any age, even without you having claimed yet. The child must be your biological child, legally adopted child, or stepchild. Your spouse must be the primary caregiver — Social Security does not require formal documentation, but your spouse should be prepared to describe the caregiving arrangement if asked.

This benefit ends when the child turns 16, even if your spouse is still caring for them. At that point, your spouse would need to be at least 62 to claim spousal benefits based on age. The payment while caring for a child is typically 75 percent of your primary insurance amount, which is higher than the spousal benefit alone.

You do not need to have claimed your own benefits for your spouse to use this path. You only need to be at least 62 and have an active Social Security account. This can be useful for younger couples where one spouse is staying home with children.

How spousal benefits work with your own claiming decision

The timing of your own claim affects when your spouse can claim. If you claim at 62, your spouse can claim spousal benefits as soon as you do (assuming your spouse is also at least 62, or is caring for a child under 16). If you wait until 70 to claim, your spouse cannot claim spousal benefits until you have claimed, even if your spouse is already 70 years old.

However, your spouse's spousal benefit does not increase if you wait to claim. Your spouse still receives up to 50 percent of your primary insurance amount — the amount you would receive at full retirement age — not 50 percent of the larger amount you receive by waiting until 70. This is an important distinction. If you delay claiming to boost your own benefit, your spouse's spousal benefit stays the same.

Your own benefit is never reduced because your spouse claims spousal benefits. You receive your full amount regardless of your spouse's choices.

Divorced spouses and prior marriages

If your spouse was married before, they may be able to claim on a previous spouse's record instead of yours — or in addition to yours. A divorced person can claim on an ex-spouse's record if the marriage lasted at least 10 years, the ex-spouse is at least 62, and the divorced person is at least 62 (or any age while caring for a child under 16). The ex-spouse does not need to have claimed yet.

Social Security will automatically pay your spouse whichever benefit is larger: the spousal benefit on your record or the benefit on a previous spouse's record. Your spouse does not have to choose. This rule applies even if your spouse was married multiple times — Social Security looks at all prior marriages that lasted 10 years or longer.

If your spouse is may be able to access for their own Social Security benefit based on their own work record, Social Security will also compare that to the spousal benefit and pay whichever is larger.

Earnings and how they affect spousal benefits

Your spouse's own earnings do not reduce their spousal benefit amount. The spousal benefit is based entirely on your work record and your claiming age, not on your spouse's work history or current income.

However, if your spouse is under full retirement age and claims spousal benefits, Social Security applies an earnings test. For every $2 your spouse earns above a certain threshold — which changes each year — Social Security withholds $1 from the spousal benefit. Once your spouse reaches full retirement age, the earnings test no longer applies, and your spouse keeps the full spousal benefit regardless of how much they earn.

This earnings test is separate from any taxes your spouse may owe on those earnings. It only affects Social Security payments, not income tax.

What happens if you pass away

If you pass away, your spouse becomes may be able to access for survivor benefits based on your record. A surviving spouse can claim at any age if caring for your child under 16, or at age 60 or older. The survivor benefit is typically 75 percent of your primary insurance amount if claimed at full retirement age, or a reduced amount if claimed earlier.

A surviving spouse who was already receiving spousal benefits will see the payment increase to the survivor benefit amount. This is one reason some couples do not worry as much about the timing of spousal claims — the survivor benefit provides a safety net if one spouse passes away early.

How to report a change or update your information

If your spouse's situation changes — for example, the child they were caring for turns 16, or your spouse reaches full retirement age — you or your spouse should contact Social Security to update the record. You can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, visit a local Social Security office, or create an account on ssa.gov to manage some changes online.

Social Security does not automatically adjust payments when circumstances change. Your spouse may need to report the change to may support the payment is correct going forward. Keep records of any documents that support the change, such as a birth certificate if a child ages out of the benefit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my spouse claim spousal benefits if I haven't claimed yet?

Only if your spouse is caring for your child under 16. Otherwise, your spouse must wait until you have claimed your own benefits. You do not need to wait until your full retirement age — you can claim as early as 62 — but your spouse cannot claim spousal benefits until you have filed.

What if my spouse was married before for more than 10 years?

Your spouse can claim on the previous spouse's record if that ex-spouse is at least 62 and the marriage lasted 10 years or more. Social Security will pay whichever benefit is larger — the spousal benefit on your record or on the ex-spouse's record. Your spouse does not choose between them.

Does my spouse's spousal benefit increase if I delay claiming until 70?

No. Your spouse's spousal benefit is based on your primary insurance amount — what you receive at full retirement age — not on the larger amount you receive by waiting until 70. Delaying your claim does not increase your spouse's spousal benefit, only your own.

What if my spouse is still working when they claim spousal benefits?

If your spouse is under full retirement age, Social Security withholds $1 from the spousal benefit for every $2 earned above the annual threshold. Once your spouse reaches full retirement age, there is no earnings limit and your spouse keeps the full benefit regardless of work income.

Can my spouse claim spousal benefits and their own benefit at the same time?

Social Security pays whichever benefit is larger. If your spouse is may be able to access for both a spousal benefit and a benefit based on their own work record, Social Security automatically compares them and pays the higher amount. Your spouse does not receive both.