how do spousal social security benefits work

You can expect the following when applying for Social Security spousal benefits:

• 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.

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Full Answer

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 to calculate spouse SSA benefit?

Today's Social Security column addresses questions about how Social Security spousal benefits are calculated, whether it's necessary to file in January to get a given year's COLA and what effects of benefits rates not paying taxes can have. Larry Kotlikoff ...

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You can expect the following when applying for Social Security spousal benefits: To make the most of your spousal Social Security benefit, it can be helpful to be aware of the amount you might be ...

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What happens if your spousal benefit is larger?

What is the full retirement age for Social Security?

Can a spouse apply for Social Security based on their own work record?

Can you collect spousal benefits on your own?

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What are the rules for collecting your spouse's 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.

When can a spouse claim spousal 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.

Can you collect 1/2 of spouse's Social Security and then your full amount?

You're eligible for spousal benefits if you're married, divorced, or widowed, and your spouse is or was eligible for Social Security. Spouses and ex-spouses generally are eligible for up to half of the spouse's entitlement. Widows and widowers can receive up to 100%.

How much does a spouse get of her husband's Social Security?

Depending 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.

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 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.

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 ex spousal benefits and wait until I am 70 to collect my own Social Security?

You can only collect spousal benefits and wait until 70 to claim your retirement benefit if both of the following are true: You were born before Jan. 2, 1954. Your spouse is collecting his or her own Social Security retirement benefit.

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.

5 Things to Know About Social Security Spousal Benefits

2. You can claim spousal benefits even if you worked yourself. Spousal benefits aren't just reserved for people who never earned money. If you're entitled to benefits based on your own work record ...

Can A Husband And Wife Both Collect Social Security?

Find out if a husband and wife can both collect Social Security and what rules govern the process. Talk to an attorney to learn more: 865-566-0800.

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How much of my spouse's Social Security is based on my work history?

If you take the benefits based on your spouse's work history and earnings, you will get 50% of the amount of your spouse’s Social Security benefit. This amount is calculated their full retirement age, or FRA. FRA depends on when you were born. You can check the Social Security website to find out how old you or your spouse need to be to reach FRA.

What happens to Social Security when a spouse dies?

When a person dies, their current or former spouse can often start getting their Social Security benefits. Whether this happens depends on several different factors.

How much life insurance can a married couple get?

In many cases, it can provide $50,000 to $250,000 of life insurance. Married couples should plan how to get the most out of both their spousal and survivor benefits.

How much life insurance can a married couple get if they delay Social Security?

In many cases, it can provide $50,000 to $250,000 of life insurance. Married couples should plan how to get the most out of both their spousal and survivor benefits.

How long do you have to be married to get spousal benefits?

You must have been married for over 10 years to get this income. 2. You also must be age 62 to file for or receive a spousal benefit. You can also wait longer. If you wait until you are at full retirement age (up to 67, depending on when you were born) to file, you will get a larger amount than if you file sooner. 3.

Do you lose Social Security if you retire early?

Social Security is based on your lifetime earnings. Anyone will lose part of their own benefit if they retire early. If you begin getting a spousal benefit before you reach your FRA, your benefit will be permanently lower. This is true unless you’re caring for a qualifying child.

Does spousal benefit reduce or change amount?

Taking a spousal benefit does not reduce or change the amount your current spouse, ex-spouse, or ex-spouse's current spouse may receive.

How much is spousal benefit?

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. However, if a spouse is caring for a qualifying child, the spousal benefit is not reduced.

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 ...

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 ...

What is the percentage of Social Security for spouse?

The percentage of your spouse's Social Security that you receive starts at 32.5% at age 62 and steps up gradually to 50% at your full retirement age, 66 or 67 depending on your year of birth. The amount is based on your spouse's benefit at full retirement age. 15 . The important point is this: Don't bother delaying past your full retirement age.

What is the maximum spousal benefit?

The maximum spousal benefit is 50% of the other spouse's full benefit.

How long can you be married before you can get spousal benefits?

If you have been divorced for at least two years, you can apply for spousal benefits if your marriage lasted 10 or more years . If, on the other hand, you are still married and considering a divorce, and are near retirement age, try to apply for spousal benefits before your divorce is final.

How much can a widow receive?

A widow or widower can receive up to 100% of a spouse's benefit amount. That's if the survivor has reached full retirement age at the time of the application. The payment is reduced to somewhere between 71% and 99% of the deceased's entitlement if the widowed person is at least 60 but under full retirement age. 8 .

What is offset in Social Security?

For example, if you have a government pension for which Social Security taxes are not withheld, the amount of your spousal benefit is reduced by two-thirds of the amount of your pension. This is known as a government pension offset. 5 

How old do you have to be to collect Social Security?

If your spouse has filed for Social Security benefits, you can also collect benefits based on the spouse's work record, if: You are at least 62 years old. Regardless of your age, if you care for a child who is entitled to receive benefits on your spouse’s record, and who is under age 16 or disabled. 2 .

When can disabled people apply for Social Security?

Disabled people can apply as early as age 50. The agency has a streamlined application process to avoid delays in the first payment. You may be eligible for benefits even if your spouse died long before reaching retirement age. Every employee racks up annual Social Security "credits" for working.

When does my spouse get my spousal benefits?

If your spouse is caring for your child who is younger than 16, your spouse may receive the full amount of spousal benefit at any age, and until the child turns 16. If your spouse receives a spouse’s benefit based on your work record, your retirement benefits are not reduced, you receive the full amount of your benefit.

What is the spousal benefit for a person who has not reached retirement age?

If you decide to opt for the spousal benefit but have not yet reached full retirement age yourself, that benefit will be less than 50 percent. This may still be a good option if you have not been working much through the years.

What happens if your spouse receives more than your spousal benefit?

If the spousal benefit is higher, he or she receives an additional amount to equal the spouse benefit amount. If your spouse does not qualify for an individual benefit, he or she may receive the spouse benefit amount of 50 percent of your benefits, if they are at full retirement age.

When does a widow receive Social Security?

A widow or widower who has reached full retirement age, and whose spouse did not receive Social Security benefits until 70 years old, receives the full benefit amount of the deceased spouse.

Can you increase your spouse's lifetime benefits?

For married couples who have both had full lifetime careers, there may still be an advantage to opting for spousal benefits to increase lifetime payments. This can be done by following different timing strategies.

Does Social Security pay your spouse first?

Social Security pays your benefits first, but if the benefits you would receive through your spouse are higher than yours, you can receive a combination of these benefits to reach the amount you would receive as a spouse.

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 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 most generous benefit available to retirees?

What’s one of the most generous benefits available to retirees? That’s easy. It’s Social Security spousal benefits ! These benefits are some of the most important, too.

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 qualify for 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 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 old do you have to be to get spouse's Social Security?

To qualify for spouse’s benefits, you must be one of these: At least 62 years of age.

When will my spouse receive my full retirement?

You will receive your full spouse’s benefit amount if you wait until you reach full retirement age to begin receiving benefits. You will also receive the full amount if you are caring for a child entitled to receive benefits on your spouse’s record who is younger than age 16 or disabled.

What happens if your spouse's retirement benefits are higher than your own?

If your benefits as a spouse are higher than your own retirement benefits, you will get a combination of benefits equaling the higher spouse benefit. Here is an example: Mary Ann qualifies for a retirement benefit of $250 and a spouse’s benefit of $400.

How to ask your spouse to open their Social Security account?

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 long does it take to create a Social Security account?

Creating a free my Social Security account takes less than 10 minutes and you get access to many other online services. Plan for your future. Manage the present.

How much of my spouse's retirement is my full benefit?

Your full spouse’s benefit could be up to 50 percent of your spouse’s full retirement age amount if you are full retirement age when you take it. If you qualify for your own retirement benefit and a spouse’s benefit, we always pay your own benefit first. You cannot receive spouse’s benefits unless your spouse is receiving his or her retirement ...

What is the maximum survivor benefit?

The retirement insurance benefit limit is the maximum survivor benefit you may receive. Generally, the limit is the higher of: The reduced monthly retirement benefit to which the deceased spouse would have been entitled if they had lived, or.

What happens if you take your reduced retirement first?

If you took your reduced retirement first while waiting for your spouse to reach retirement age, when you add spouse’s benefits later, your own retirement portion remains reduced which causes the total retirement and spouses benefit together to total less than 50 percent of the worker’s amount. You can find out more on our website.

What does it mean to have a partner?

Having a partner means sharing many things including a home and other property. Understanding how your future retirement might affect your spouse is important. When you’re planning for your fun and vibrant golden years, here are a few things to remember:

Can my spouse's survivor benefit be reduced?

On the other hand, if your spouse’s retirement benefit is higher than your retirement benefit, and he or she chooses to take reduced benefits and dies first, your survivor benefit will be reduced, but may be higher than what your spouse received.

What happens if your spousal benefit is larger?

If your spousal benefit is larger, you will receive a combination of benefits that total that amount.

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 a spouse apply for Social Security based on their own work record?

Spouses who aren't eligible for Social Security on their own work record can apply for benefits based on the other spouse's record.

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.