how to apply social security spousal benefits

• Ways to Apply. You can complete an application for Retirement, Spouse's, Medicare or Disability Benefits online. ...
• Retirement or Spouse's Benefits. You can apply online for Retirement or spouse's benefits or continue an application you already started.
• Disability Benefits. You can apply online for disability benefits or continue an application you already started.
• Appeal a Disability Decision. If your application for disability benefits was denied recently for medical reasons, you can request an appeal online or continue working on an appeal you already ...
Medicare Benefits. You can apply online for Medicare or continue an application you already started. ...
Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Costs. You can apply online for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits. How Do I Apply For SSI?
Survivors Benefits. You cannot report a death or apply for survivors' benefits online. If you need to report a death or apply for survivors' benefits, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778 ).
Children's Benefits. You cannot apply online for benefits for a child.
Check the Status of Your Application. After you apply, you can check the status of your application online. ...

Full Answer

Can my spouse collect Social Security?

Whether a husband and wife can both collect Social Security depends on a few factors. The circumstances at play include what type of benefits one or both partners receive, their ages, and their total income. There are also situations where each partner is eligible to collect their own benefits, but it may make more sense for one partner to receive spousal benefits from the other.

How does social security work for married couples?

also allowed same-sex married couples to receive Social Security spousal benefits after being married for nine months. But what about those who had been in a long-term committed relationship that wasn’t recognized under federal law, and whose spouse died ...

How much social security does spouse get?

Does wife get half 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.

How much you will get from Social Security?

The maximum possible Social Security benefit for someone who retires at full retirement age is $3,148 in 2021. However, a worker would need to earn the maximum taxable amount, currently $142,800 for 2021, over a 35-year career to get this Social Security payment.

When can a spouse claim spousal Social Security benefits?

least 62 years of ageTo 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.

How do I apply for spousal Social Security for the first time?

You can apply:Online, if you are within 3 months of age 62 or older, or.By calling our national toll-free service at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visiting your local Social Security office.

How do I qualify for 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.

How do I apply for spousal retirement 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 years old (unless you are caring for a child who is under 16 or disabled, in which case the age rule does not apply).

Is it better to apply for Social Security online or in person?

Applying online is the easiest way to complete your application at a time that works for you, without a trip to the Social Security office.

How many months in advance should you apply for Social Security benefits?

four monthsYou can apply up to four months before you want your retirement benefits to start. For example, if you turn 62 on December 2, you can start your benefits as early as December, and apply in August. Even if you are not ready to retire, you still should sign up for Medicare three months before your 65th birthday.

Can my wife claim spousal 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.

What percentage of Social Security benefits does a widow receive?

Widow or widower, full retirement age or older—100% of your benefit amount. Widow or widower, age 60 to full retirement age—71½ to 99% of your basic amount.

How long do spousal benefits last?

for lifeGenerally, spouses and ex-spouses become eligible for survivor benefits at age 60 — 50 if they are disabled — provided they do not remarry before that age. These benefits are payable for life unless the spouse begins collecting a retirement benefit that is greater than the survivor benefit.

Does my spouse automatically get half my Social Security?

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.

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

The most you can collect in spousal benefits is 50 percent of your spouse's monthly benefit at full retirement age (the age at which a person becomes eligible for 100 percent of the benefit calculated from their lifetime earnings).

Are Social Security spousal benefits automatic?

When you apply for your retirement benefit, you're also automatically deemed to be applying for spousal benefits, if you're entitled to them. Again, Social Security will pay the greater of the two benefit amounts.

How to apply for spousal Social Security?

The easiest way to apply for spousal Social Security benefits is through your "My Social Security" account at https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/. If you don't have an account, you can create one and apply from there. To apply online, you must be at least 61 years and 9 months old. [8]

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.

What to do if you don't have all the documents requested by the SSA?

Tip: If you don't have all the documents requested by the SSA, call them and let you know. They can help you get them.

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).

Ways to Apply

You can complete an application for Retirement, Spouse's, Medicare or Disability Benefits online.

Retirement or Spouse's Benefits

You can apply online for Retirement or spouse's benefits or continue an application you already started.

Disability Benefits

You can apply online for disability benefits or continue an application you already started.

Appeal a Disability Decision

If your application for disability benefits was denied recently for medical reasons, you can request an appeal online or continue working on an appeal you already started.

Medicare Benefits

You can apply online for Medicare or continue an application you already started.

Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Costs

You can apply online for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits

If you want to apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), please read:

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 old do you have to be to apply for retirement?

If you are at least 62 years of age and you wish to apply for retirement or spouse’s benefits, you can use our online retirement application to apply for one or both benefits.

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 ...

What age do you have to be to file for retirement?

Another requirement is that the spouse must be at least age 62 or have a qualifying child in her/his care.

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 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 to apply for spousal benefits?

You can expect the following when applying for Social Security spousal benefits: 1 You can receive up to 50% of your spouse’s Social Security benefit. 2 You can apply for benefits if you have been married for at least one year. 3 If you have been divorced for at least two years, you can apply if the marriage lasted 10 or more years. 4 Starting benefits early may lead to a reduction in payments. 5 If you have a work history, you’ll receive either your benefit or the spousal benefit, whichever is greater. 6 To be eligible, your working spouse will need to have already claimed benefits.

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

You will still need to be married for at least one year before applying for benefits. Spousal benefits differ from personal benefits when it comes to delaying payments. If you delay personal benefits past full retirement age, the benefit increases over time. However, spousal benefits max out at full retirement age.

What happens if you remarry and your spouse passes away?

If your spouse passes away and you get remarried, the benefits could change. “The important thing to remember in receiving survivor benefits is that if you remarry before age 60, this will cut off your eligibility to collect on your deceased spouse’s or deceased ex-spouse’s record,” Barzideh says. “This could be a very expensive decision, because while a spousal benefit entitles you to 50% of the other spouse’s benefits, a survivor benefit would entitle you to 100% of those benefits.”

How long do you have to be married to get Social Security?

You should be married for at least one year before applying for Social Security benefits. “You are eligible for spousal benefits if your spouse has filed for Social Security benefits and you are at least age 62,” Moraif says.

What is the full retirement age?

The full retirement age varies by birth year and is usually age 66 or 67 . If you are married and your spouse begins collecting $2,000 per month at full retirement age, your spousal benefit will be $1,000 if you start payments at your full retirement age. How Much You Will Get From Social Security. ]

How long do you have to be divorced to get a divorce?

In addition, you’ll need to have been divorced for at least two years and be currently unmarried. “Both you and your ex-spouse must be at least 62,” says Ben Barzideh, a wealth advisor at Piershale Financial Group in Barrington, Illinois.

Do you get spousal benefits if you have a work history?

If you have a work history, you’ll receive either your benefit or the spousal benefit, whichever is greater.

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).

How much does spousal benefit affect?

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). Regardless of the amount of the spousal benefit, it does not affect the amount of your mate’s retirement payment.

How old do you have to be to receive survivor benefits?

You are at least age 60, unless you are disabled (then it’s 50) or caring for a child of the deceased who is under 16 or disabled (no age minimum). 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.

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, ...

What is survivor benefit based on?

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 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.

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.