how to calculate a spouse social security benefit

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 ...
• Create or open your my Social Security account, scroll to the ‘Plan for Retirement’ section, and:
  • Select ‘See what you could receive from a spouse’ if you are not eligible for retirement benefits yourself or select the ‘Include a spouse?’ tab if ...
  • Choose a future age or date when you would like to start receiving spouse’s benefits.
  • Enter your spouse’s retirement benefit estimate at their full retirement age or PIA.

Full Answer

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%.

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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 do you calculate SSA benefits?

• The SSA starts with $735.
• The only income you receive each month is $400 from a part-time babysitting job.
• The SSA ignores the first $65 of that each month, as well as half of the rest. ($400 – $65) x 0.50 = $167.50.
• So the SSA deducts the remaining $167.50 of your babysitting dollars from $735.
• You receive a grand total of $567.50 for SSI.

How to calculate your projected Social Security benefit?

• For every dollar of average indexed monthly earnings up to $926, you’ll get 90 cents per month in benefits.
• For every dollar of average indexed monthly earnings between $927 and $5,583 you’ll get $.32 cents per month in benefits.
• For every dollar of average indexed monthly earnings beyond $5,583 you’ll get $.15 cents per month in benefits.

What percentage of husband's Social Security does a spouse get?

Social Security Program Rules The wife of a retired worker is eligible for a spousal benefit of up to 50 percent of her husband's primary insurance amount ( PIA ), if claimed at her full retirement age ( FRA ).

How are Social Security spousal benefits calculated?

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.

How is Social Security calculated for couples?

Social Security will calculate your own retirement benefit, based on your 35 highest-earning years, and then calculate your spousal benefit, based on your partner's 35 highest-earning years.

When a husband and wife retire Do they both get Social Security?

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.

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.

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 half of my husband's Social Security at 62?

Key Takeaways. The maximum spousal benefit is 50% of the other spouse's full benefit. You may be eligible if you're married, formerly married, divorced, or widowed. You can collect spousal benefits as early as age 62, but in most cases, the benefits are reduced permanently if you start collecting early.

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.

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.

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.

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 ...

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.

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).

Eligibility for spousal benefits

Regulated into the Social Security payments in 1939, the spousal benefits are one of the most reliable payouts. It helps expand the household income during retirement and also provides assistance to widows and widowers. It includes provisions for disabled retirees and children as well.

Calculation of spousal benefits

Before calculating the spousal benefits, it is important to know a few concepts. The most central is the primary insurance amount (PIA). This is typically the total monthly retirement advantage of a person, provided the claim is made at the full retirement age. This varies as per the birth year.

Divorced spouses

A divorced spouse can assert on the ex-spouse’s Social Security record. This is irrespective of whether the other partner is remarried or is collecting the advantage on their record. However, a few requirements must be met:

Surviving spouses

In the case of a deceased spouse, the surviving partner can also assert for the amount. Even though the survivor’s benefit can be claimed as early as the age of 60 years, there are certain provisions to it:

To sum it up

Overall, spousal benefits are a very secure stream of income, provided all eligibility criteria are met. One can file for these online on ssa.gov, or by calling 1-800-772-1213, or in person at the local Social Security office.

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.

How much can I get from my spouse?

The maximum amount you can receive is 50% of your spouse's full benefit. 1  That's straightforward enough, but the precise amount you'll get and when you'll get it depends on several circumstances, including your spouse's age and work history, your own age and work history, and more. That leaves some room for you to maximize ...

What is the maximum amount of spousal benefits at 62?

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. The amount increases with each year you delay. At your full retirement age (67 in this example) you'd be eligible for the maximum, which is 50% ...

What happens if your spouse retires at 70?

If your spouse delays retiring until 70, the spouse gets more but you don't. Survivors may receive up to 100% of the deceased person's Social Security amount. 10  There's a complicated formula for families in which more than one dependant is eligible for benefits. It caps the maximum. 16 .

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 .

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 I claim my spousal benefits?

But the amount you receive will depend upon when you begin to claim it. 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.

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.

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.

How much is Joe's retirement?

Joe’s benefit at his full retirement age is $2,000. Assuming they are both full retirement age when they file, Joe will be entitled to a benefit of $2,000 and Julie will be entitled to the greater of her own benefit or half of Joe’s benefit.

What is the excess spousal benefit?

The excess spousal benefit equals 50% of your PIA minus 100% of her PIA. If she files for her retirement benefit before her FRA, it will be permanently reduced. So her excess spousal benefit, added to her reduced retirement benefit amount will be somewhat less than 50% of your PIA.

What is the maximum FMB for SSDI?

The maximum FMB that can be payable on the record of a worker receiving SSDI is 150% of their PIA. So for example, if a worker's full SSDI rate (PIA) is $1,600, the FMB on their record would be limited to $2,400.

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 ...