When you apply for Social Security spousal benefits, they may ask you to provide the following documents to confirm you are eligible:
- Birth certificate (or another proof of birth)
- Marriage certificate (and if applying as a divorced spouse, you’ll need a certified copy of the final divorce decree.)
- Proof of U.S. citizenship. If you were not born in the U.S., you will need to show lawful alien status
- U.S. military discharge papers if you served before 1968
- W-2 forms (s) and/or self-employment tax returns for last year
How much can a married couple get from Social Security?
You may need to produce these documents when you apply
- Your Social Security card.
- An original birth certificate or other proof of your birth.
- A copy of your W-2 form or self-employment tax return for the previous year.
- Your marriage certificate.
- If you weren't born in the United States, proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status.
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.
When can you claim spousal Social Security?
You can claim Social Security benefits anytime after reaching ... AARP reported that delayed retirement credits are not applied to spousal benefits. According to the Social Security Administration ...
Does spousal support count as income for SSI?
While SSI payments are generally not considered when calculating income to decide a spousal support award, SSDI benefits usually are considered. Meanwhile, if the party who pays alimony doesn’t make the payments, their SSDI benefits, as well as other types of income, can be garnished to satisfy the obligation.
When can a wife collect half of her 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. Starting benefits early may lead to a reduction in payments.
Do you automatically get spouse's Social Security?
Those who apply for spousal benefits must have been married for at least one year. Your spouse must also have begun receiving Social Security benefits – unless you are widowed.
Who can collect spousal Social Security benefits?
Benefits For Your Spouse Even if they have never worked under Social Security, your spouse may be eligible for benefits if they are at least 62 years of age and you are receiving retirement or disability benefits. Your spouse can also qualify for Medicare at age 65.
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.
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.
What is the best Social Security strategy for married couples?
3 Social Security Strategies for Married Couples Retiring EarlyHave the higher earner claim Social Security early. ... Have the lower earner claim Social Security early. ... Delay Social Security jointly and live on savings or other income sources.
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.
How long do you have to be married to get spouse 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.
When can my wife claim spousal benefits?
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.
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.
What does the SSA look for in spousal benefits?
The SSA looks at the amount of retirement benefits you're eligible for, then the amount of spousal benefits you're eligible for. If the spousal benefits are greater than your retirement benefits, you would be paid your retirement benefits first, then spousal benefits would be used to make up the difference. You always get the larger of the two ...
How much is my spouse's spousal benefit?
Decide when you want to start receiving benefits. Your full spousal benefit is 50% of your spouse's primary insurance amount. However, if you decide to start receiving those benefits before you reach your normal retirement age, your benefit amount will be permanently reduced.
What is the lowest percentage of your spouse's insurance?
The lowest percentage you could possibly get is 32.5% of your spouse's primary insurance amount. In some situations, it might make sense for you to claim your spousal benefits early. However, if you can afford to do so, you'll get more money if you wait until you reach your normal retirement age.
How to check status of Social Security application?
1. Set up an online account if you haven't already. From your "My Social Security" account at https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/ , you can check the status of your application and manage your benefits. If you didn't apply for your benefits online, you can still set up a free account to manage your benefits.
What is the phone number to call for Social Security?
If you can't apply online or don't want to use the online form, you can also call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
Is my spouse's retirement benefit based on my primary insurance?
The amount of your spousal benefit isn't affected by the age at which your spouse started receiving their retirement benefits. It is always based on your spouse's primary insurance amount, which is the amount they would receive if they started claiming benefits at their normal retirement age (NRA).
Can my ex-spouse get Social Security?
Your ex-spouse is entitled to Social Security benefits (either retirement or disability) Your retirement benefits are less than your spousal benefits based on their work would be. You've been divorced for at least 2 years (if your ex-spouse has not yet claimed their benefits)
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.
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 ...
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 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 ...
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 ...
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.
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.
Does spousal benefit increase after full retirement?
You may have also noticed that the spousal benefit does not increase beyond your full retirement age. When considering your own Social Security benefit, there can be a lot of advantages to waiting to file and delaying when you start receiving payments well past your retirement age, but that’s not the case here.
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 ...
When can I file for Medicare?
You can file a claim under their account as early as age 62, as long as your spouse has already filed to collect their own benefits. 1 You will also be able to apply for Medicare health coverage at age 65. 1 .
Can I file a restricted application for Social Security?
To file a restricted application, both you and your spouse must be of full retirement age, and you both must have filed for Social Security benefits. 5 . Filing a restricted application can result in a higher benefit amount when you later file for Social Security under your own account.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How much is spousal benefit?
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).
How long do you have to be married to collect spousal benefits?
You 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 (unless you are caring for a child who is under 16 or disabled, in which case the age rule does not apply).
What percentage of survivor benefits are based on a child?
If the survivor benefit is based on your caring for a child, you receive 75 percent of the deceased’s benefit, ...
How much of a survivor's Social Security benefit do you get if you have a child?
If the survivor benefit is based on your caring for a child, you receive 75 percent of the deceased’s benefit, regardless of your own age when you file. Keep in mind. Your spousal benefit is not affected by the age at which your husband or wife claimed Social Security benefits.
What is survivor benefit?
In most cases, survivor benefits are based on the benefit amount the late spouse was receiving, or was eligible to receive, when he or she died. How much of that amount you are entitled to depends on your age when you file.
How long do you have to be married to receive survivor benefits?
The chief criteria to qualify for survivor benefits are: You were married to the deceased for at least nine months (unless the death is accidental or occurs in the line of military duty, in which case there is no minimum time period). You are at least age 60, unless you are disabled (then it’s 50) or caring for a child of ...
Does Social Security increase if late spouse files for FRA?
With survivor benefits, if your late spouse boosted his or her Social Security payment by waiting past FRA to file, your survivor benefit would also increase. Your spousal or survivor benefits may be reduced if you are under full retirement age and continue to work. Social Security is phasing in the FRA increase differently for different types ...
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.
Documents you may need to provide
We may ask you to provide documents to show that you are eligible, such as:
What we will ask you
You should also have your checkbook or other papers that show your account number at a bank, credit union or other financial institution so you can sign up for Direct Deposit, and avoid worries about lost or stolen checks and mail delays.
What percentage of Social Security benefits are paid to spouse?
Again, Social Security will pay the greater of the two benefit amounts. The top spousal benefit is 50 percent of your husband's or wife's primary insurance amount ...
What is the maximum spousal benefit?
The top spousal benefit is 50 percent of your husband's or wife's primary insurance amount (the retirement benefit he or she is entitled to at full retirement age, which is currently 66 and 2 months and is gradually rising to 67 over the next several years). You can get that maximum if you first claim benefits at your own full retirement age;
