How Spousal Benefits Are Calculated
- Full Retirement Age. As you might expect, "normal" retirement age is becoming later in life, but the changes to the Social Security rules are being phased in.
- Claiming Early or Late. Your spousal benefit is based upon your partner's "normal" benefit amount. But the amount you receive will depend upon when you begin to claim it.
- If You're Receiving Other Retirement Benefits. The calculation gets a bit more complicated if you are eligible to receive benefits from a government pension or foreign employer that is not ...
- Same-Sex Married Couples. Same-sex married couples have enjoyed the same rights as all other couples since the 2015 Supreme Court ruling affirming their constitutional rights to marriage recognition.
What determines my spousal Social Security benefit?
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- How retirement benefits, spousal benefits, and widow (er) benefits are calculated,
- How to decide the best age to claim your benefit,
- How Social Security benefits are taxed and how that affects tax planning,
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How to estimate Social Security benefits from a former spouse?
- If you are of full retirement age or older, you would receive 100%.
- If you are age 60 or older but not yet of full retirement age, you would receive 71.5% to 99%.
- If are 50 to 59 years old and disabled, you would receive 71.5%.
What is the maximum Social Security spousal benefit?
However, in order to get the maximum spousal benefit, you and your spouse must meet these criteria:
- Your spouse must have earned more than the Social Security maximum taxable wage limit for at least 35 years of his or her career.
- Your spouse must be receiving his or her own benefit already.
- You must wait until your full retirement age to file for benefits.
How do you calculate spouse Social Security benefits?
The requirements for claiming benefits based on your ex-spouse's work record include:
- 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.
- The benefit you would receive from your work record would be less than this spousal benefit.
How is Social Security spousal benefits calculated?
A spouse can choose to retire as early as age 62, but doing so may result in a benefit as little as 32.5 percent of the worker's primary insurance amount. A spousal benefit is reduced 25/36 of one percent for each month before normal retirement age, up to 36 months.
Can you collect 1/2 of spouse's Social Security and then your full amount?
Your full spouse's benefit could be up to one-half the amount your spouse is entitled to receive at their full retirement age. If you choose to begin receiving spouse's benefits before you reach full retirement age, your benefit amount will be permanently reduced.
How are spousal retirement benefits calculated?
You 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 percentage of husbands Social Security does a spouse get?
32.5 percent to 50 percentDepending on your age upon claiming, spousal benefits can range from 32.5 percent to 50 percent of your husband's or wife's primary insurance amount — the retirement benefit to which he or she is entitled at full retirement age, or FRA.
Can I take my Social Security at 62 and then switch to spousal benefit?
Only if your spouse is not yet receiving retirement benefits. 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.
Can I collect my husband's Social Security if he is still alive?
The earliest a widow or widower can start receiving Social Security survivors benefits based on age will remain at age 60. Widows or widowers benefits based on age can start any time between age 60 and full retirement age as a survivor.
Does a wife get 50 of husband'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.
Can my wife collect spousal Social Security benefits before I retire?
Can my spouse collect Social Security on my record 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.
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.
How much is spousal benefit reduction?
If you file for a spousal benefit prior to your full retirement age, that spousal benefit will be reduced due to early filing. The reduction is 25/36 of 1% for each month early, up to 36 months. For each month in excess of 36 months, the reduction is 5/12 of 1%.
How much is Bob's spousal benefit?
Bob’s spousal benefit will initially be calculated as 50% of Jane’s PIA. (Key point being: it’s 50% of Jane’s PIA, rather than 50% of what she’s actually receiving.) If Jane had filed for retirement benefits after her full retirement age (and were therefore receiving an amount larger than her PIA), Bob’s benefit as Jane’s spouse would still be ...
How do I find out about Social Security?
Want to Learn More about Social Security? Pick Up a Copy of My Book: 1 How retirement benefits, spousal benefits, and widow (er) benefits are calculated, 2 How to decide the best age to claim your benefit, 3 How Social Security benefits are taxed and how that affects tax planning, 4 Click here to see the full list.
What happens if you receive a government pension from work that wasn't covered by Social Security taxes?
If you are receiving a government pension from work that wasn’t covered by Social Security taxes, your spousal benefit will be reduced by the “ government pension offset .”. If your spouse is disabled or if you have a minor child or adult disabled child, the family maximum rules may result in your spousal benefit being reduced .
What is the primary insurance amount?
A person’s primary insurance amount is the amount of their monthly retirement benefit, if they file for that benefit exactly at their full retirement age. A Social Security spousal benefit is calculated as 50% of the other spouse’s PIA.
Can spousal benefits be reduced?
For example: If you are receiving a retirement benefit of your own, your spousal benefit will be reduced. If you file for spousal benefits prior to your full retirement age, your spousal benefit will be reduced.
Does Bob receive PIA?
your PIA or. your monthly retirement benefit. Example: In addition to receiving a benefit as Jane’s spouse, Bob is also receiving a retirement benefit of his own. Because he is entitled to a retirement benefit of his own, he will not receive the full spousal benefit (i.e., 50% of Jane’s PIA).
How much is spousal benefit reduced?
A spousal benefit is reduced 25/36 of one percent for each month before normal retirement age, up to 36 months. If the number of months exceeds 36, then the benefit is further reduced 5/12 of one percent per month.
What is the reduction factor for spousal benefits?
For a spouse who is not entitled to benefits on his or her own earnings record, this reduction factor is applied to the base spousal benefit, which is 50 percent of the worker's primary insurance amount. For example, if the worker's primary insurance amount is $1,600 and the worker's spouse chooses to begin receiving benefits 36 months ...
What age can a spouse file for Social Security?
When a worker files for retirement benefits, the worker's spouse may be eligible for a benefit based on the worker's earnings. Another requirement is that the spouse must be at least age 62 or have a qualifying child in her/his care. By a qualifying child, we mean a child who is under age 16 or who receives Social Security disability benefits.
Can a spouse reduce their spousal benefit?
However, if a spouse is caring for a qualifying child, the spousal benefit is not reduced. If a spouse is eligible for a retirement benefit based on his or her own earnings, and if that benefit is higher than the spousal benefit, then we pay the retirement benefit. Otherwise we pay the spousal benefit. Compute the effect of early retirement ...
How old do you have to be to get spousal benefits?
If you file for a spousal benefit before age 66, the percentage you receive depends upon your age. There’s a two-stage process as to how Social Security calculates the reduction and it's based upon how many months ahead of your FRA you are filing:
What is the Social Security income limit for 2012?
If you are receiving income from a job (investment income doesn’t count), your spousal benefit may be reduced. The “income limit” for 2012 is $14,640. Assuming you are not going to reach full retirement age this year, for every $2 above this amount that you’re paid, Social Security will withhold $1 of your spousal benefit.
Do federal workers get Social Security?
1. Many state, municipal and some federal workers do not pay into the Social Security system. In this case, neither the worker nor their spouse is entitled to Social Security benefits. 2.The federal law known as the Defense of Marriage Act only recognizes “marriage” as between a man and a woman.
Do you get Social Security if you claim spousal benefits?
Here are some other things you need to be aware of when claiming spousal benefits: If you are eligible for a Social Security benefit based upon your own work history, you will either receive this amount or the spousal benefit you’re entitled to, whichever is higher. (In other words, you don’t get both amounts.)
Social Security Spouse's Benefit Estimates
Plan for your future with a my Social Security account. With a my Social Security account, you can view the benefits you could receive based on your spouse’s earnings history, or the benefits your spouse could receive based on your earnings history.
Follow these steps to get started
Ask your spouse to create or open their my Social Security account, go to the ‘Plan for Retirement’ section, and note their retirement benefit estimate at their full retirement age or Primary Insurance Amount (PIA).
How do I qualify for spousal benefits?
To qualify for Social Security spousal benefits: 1 Both you and your spouse must be at least 62 2 Married at least 1 year 3 The other spouse must be receiving their worker benefit
Why is Social Security spousal benefit confusing?
Credit: Getty Royalty Free. Getty. Social Security spousal benefits are probably the most confusing benefit because they are considered a family benefit. But even more confusing is how the benefit is calculated. First, let’s determine if you are eligible.
What is the relevance of spouse's PIA?
The only relevance your spouse has is the amount of their Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). Spousal benefits are calculated using both your Primary Insurance Amounts and your spouse’s Primary Insurance Amount. Spousal benefits are layered on top of any worker benefit you may have.
How much of my spouse's PIA is spousal?
For example, your PIA is $1,250 and your spouse’s PIA is $2,000.
Is spousal benefit layered?
Spousal benefits are layered on top of any worker benefit you may have. If you have your own worker benefit, you are always paid that benefit first, then any amount of spousal benefit is layered on top of that.
Can I claim my spouse's spousal benefits at the same time?
Both spouses cannot receive spousal benefits at the same time. You must apply for spousal benefits; they will not automatically begin. Generally, if you claim spousal benefits prior to your full retirement age, you will not be able to claim your worker benefit in the future.
Can I get 50% of my spouse's benefits?
Most people think that they are entitled to 50% of their spouses’ benefit . That’s true only if you are filing for spousal benefits at your full retirement age. Spousal benefits are determined at the age you, as a spouse, file. The only relevance your spouse has is the amount of their Primary Insurance Amount (PIA).
How much can I collect as a spouse?
If you wait until full retirement age to claim benefits, you'll receive the maximum amount you can collect as a spouse. That is equal to 50% of your spouse's benefit amount. 3 . The benefits claiming strategy known as "file and suspend" has been totally eliminated.
What is the full retirement age for Social Security?
Full retirement age, for Social Security purposes, is between 66 and 67, depending on your year of birth. 2 . One exception: If you are caring for your spouse's child who is under age 16 or who receives Social Security disability benefits, you can collect spousal benefits at any age without a reduction. 3 . ...
Can you collect spousal benefits on your own?
However, only one person per couple may collect spousal benefits while earning delayed retirement credits on his or her own account. And, to repeat, this option is no longer available to anyone who wasn't born on or before Jan. 1, 1954.
Can I apply for Social Security if my spouse is not eligible?
Key Takeaways. Spouses who aren't eligible for Social Security on their own work record can apply for benefits based on the other spouse's record. The maximum spousal benefit is equal to 50% of the other spouse's benefit. People can apply for spousal benefits as early as age 62, but they'll get more money if they wait until their full retirement ...
Can I claim my spouse's Social Security if I never worked?
If you have never worked or paid Social Security taxes (or didn't pay them for long enough), you won't be eligible to claim Social Security retirement benefits on your own account. However, you may be able to receive spousal benefits through your spouse's account.
Can a spouse file for Social Security at full retirement age?
Using this strategy, the higher-earning spouse could file for Social Security at full retirement age (thus making it possible for their spouse to get spousal benefits), but then "suspend" his or her claim and not take benefits until later, while racking up delayed retirement credits in the meantime. 5 .
How much is spousal benefit?
Depending on how old you are when you file, the spousal benefit amount will range between 32.5% and 50% of the higher-earning spouse’s full retirement benefit. Check out the chart below to get an idea of how the benefit works and what your payment might be if you can take advantage ...
How much of my spouse's Social Security is my full retirement?
Remember, in that case, it’s between 32.5% and 50% of the higher-earning spouse’s full retirement age benefit, depending on your filing age. However, it can seem a little more complicated if you have Social Security benefits from your work history.
How many people receive Social Security benefits as a spouse?
A recent Social Security report found that 2.3 million individuals received at least part of their benefit as a spouse of an entitled worker. Some of these spouses had benefits of their own, but were eligible to receive higher benefit because the spousal benefit amount was greater than their own benefit. Others never worked outside the home ...
What is the 1 year requirement for Social Security?
The 1-year requirement is also waived if you were entitled (or potentially entitled!) to Social Security benefits on someone else’s work record in the month before you were married. An example of these benefits would be spousal benefits, survivor benefits or parent’s benefits.
What is Julie's reduction to her own benefit?
This means that Julie’s reduction to her own benefit would be based on her age when she filed for her benefit. However, her reduction to the spousal benefit would be based on her age when Joe filed for his benefit. So, if Julie filed when she was 62, her own benefit would be reduced.
How long do you have to be married to get spousal benefits?
The Two Exceptions to Know Around the 1 Year Marriage Requirement. Normally, you must be married for at least 12 continuous months to meet the spousal benefit duration-of-marriage requirement. However, there are two exceptions to this rule.
Can a spouse receive Social Security?
They have no benefit of their own, but thanks to the Social Security spousal benefit available under their spouse’s work record, they can still receive payments. This particular benefit doesn’t just provide retirement income, either. As an eligible spouse, you could also receive premium-free Medicare benefits.
How much is spousal benefit reduced after FRA?
5/12 of 1% per month. Within the band of 1-36 months before FRA, spousal benefits are reduced by 25/36 of 1% percent and your own benefits are reduced by 5/9 of 1%.
How much Social Security does a husband get at full retirement age?
At full retirement age, the husband has a monthly Social Security benefit of $2,000. Because the wife did not work in a role that allowed her to earn the required 40 credits, she won’t have a benefit of her own. However, as an eligible spouse, she’d be eligible for a benefit of $1,000 per month as a spousal payment at her full retirement age.
What age can you file for spousal benefits?
You can see that the difference in reductions between your benefit and the spousal benefit continue to widen all the way back to the earliest age of filing, which is age 62. The other notable part of the difference is that your own benefit will increase if you delay filing, but your spousal payment will not increase.
What is the full retirement age?
Let’s make the assumption that your full retirement age is 67 (which it is, for anyone who is born 1960 or later). At full retirement age you would receive 100% of your own benefit. You would also receive 100% of your spousal amount. If you file a year early, at 66, you would receive 93.33% of your benefit and 91.67% of your spousal amount.
Can a lower earning spouse get spousal support?
This goes for any age at which the lower-earning spouse files as long as the higher-earning spouse has not yet filed. The lower-earning spouse can’t get the spousal payment in this scenario, so their total payment would only be their own benefit, reduced or increased for filing age.
Can a higher earner spouse receive spousal support?
Since the higher-earning spouse has not yet filed, the lower-earning spouse would not receive a spousal payment. But if the higher-earning spouse files two years later, the lower-earning spouse would become entitled to a spousal payment: And here’s the important part:
Benefit Calculators
The best way to start planning for your future is by creating a my Social Security account online. With my Social Security, you can verify your earnings, get your Social Security Statement, and much more – all from the comfort of your home or office.
Online Benefits Calculator
These tools can be accurate but require access to your official earnings record in our database. The simplest way to do that is by creating or logging in to your my Social Security account. The other way is to answer a series of questions to prove your identity.
Additional Online Tools
Find your full retirement age and learn how your monthly benefits may be reduced if you retire before your full retirement age.