can i claim spousal benefits

Can you collect government pension and spousal benefits?

benefits as a spouse, widow, or widower if you: • Receive a government pension that’s not based on your earnings; or • Are a federal (including Civil Service Offset), state, or local government employee and your government pension is from a job for which you paid Social Security taxes; and: —Your last day of employment (that your pension is based on) is before July 1, 2004; or

Who qualifies for Social Security spousal benefits?

You may also qualify for the spousal benefit If you’re divorced but the marriage lasted for at least 10 years and you’re not currently married. How Much Is the Social Security Spousal Benefit? If you’re eligible and can qualify, the spousal benefit can be as much as 50% of the higher-earning spouse’s full retirement age benefit.

How to maximize social security with spousal benefits?

According to the Social Security Administration, you may qualify for spousal benefits if:

• Your spouse is already collecting retirement benefits.
• You have been married for at least a year.
• You are at least 62 years old (unless you are caring for a child who is under 16 or disabled).

How to apply for spousal Social Security benefits?

What we will ask you

• Your name, gender and Social Security number;
• Your name at birth (if different);
• Your date of birth and place of birth (State or foreign country);
• Whether a public or religious record was made of your birth before age 5;
• Your citizenship status;

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How do you qualify for spousal benefits?

Who is eligible for spousal Social Security benefits?You must have been married at least 10 years.You must have been divorced from the spouse for at least two consecutive years.You are unmarried.Your ex-spouse must be entitled to Social Security retirement or disability benefits.More items...•

When can a spouse claim spousal benefits?

age 62You can claim spousal benefits as early as age 62, but you won't receive as much as if you wait until your own full retirement age. For example, if your full retirement age is 67 and you choose to claim spousal benefits at 62, you'd receive a benefit that's equal to 32.5% of your spouse's full benefit amount.

What are the rules for spousal benefits of Social Security?

To qualify for spouse's benefits, you must be one of these: At least 62 years of age. Any age and caring for a child entitled to receive benefits on your spouse's record and who is younger than age 16 or disabled.

Can my wife collect spousal Social Security benefits before I retire?

No. You have to be receiving your Social Security retirement or disability benefit for your husband or wife to collect spousal benefits.

How does spousal benefit work?

The spousal benefit can be as much as half of the worker's "primary insurance amount," depending on the spouse's age at retirement. If the spouse begins receiving benefits before "normal (or full) retirement age," the spouse will receive a reduced benefit.

When can I claim half of my spouse's Social Security?

You can receive up to 50% of your spouse's Social Security benefit. You can apply for benefits if you have been married for at least one year. If you have been divorced for at least two years, you can apply if the marriage lasted 10 or more years. Starting benefits early may lead to a reduction in payments.

Can you collect Social Security and spousal benefits at the same time?

Each spouse can claim their own retirement benefit based solely on their individual earnings history. You can both collect your full amounts at the same time. However, your spouse's earnings could affect the overall amount you get from Social Security, if you receive spousal benefits.

Does my spouse automatically get half my Social Security?

If they qualify, your ex-spouse, spouse, or child may receive a monthly payment of up to one-half of your retirement benefit amount. These Social Security payments to family members will not decrease the amount of your retirement benefit.

Can I switch from my Social Security benefit to a spousal benefit?

In this case, you can claim your own Social Security beginning at 62 and make the switch to spousal benefits when your husband or wife files. Social Security will not pay the sum of your retirement and spousal benefits; you'll get a payment equal to the higher of the two benefits.

Can I collect my husband Social Security while he is still alive?

you're eligible for some of your ex's Social Security wives and widows. That means most divorced women collect their own Social Security while the ex is alive, but can apply for higher widow's rates when he dies.

How many years do you have to be married to claim spouses Social Security?

one continuous yearHow long does someone have to be married to collect Social Security spouse benefits? To receive a spouse benefit, you generally must have been married for at least one continuous year to the retired or disabled worker on whose earnings record you are claiming benefits. There are narrow exceptions to the one-year rule.

Do married couples get 2 Social Security checks?

Not when it comes to each spouse's own benefit. Both can receive retirement payments based on their respective earnings records and the age when they claimed benefits. One payment does not offset or affect the other.

Spousal Benefits For Spouses Versus Ex-Spouses

Deemed Filing Rules

Excess Spousal Or Supplemental Spousal Benefit

• Normally a spousal benefit is 50% of the spouse's FRA benefit amount, reduced if the spouse claiming the spousal benefit is filing for benefits early.7 If one spouse is already receiving their own benefits, and later becomes eligible for a spousal benefit, there is a formula that is used to determine what amount of spousal benefit (if any) they ma...

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