How do I qualify for Social Security spousal 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.
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.
Do you automatically get spouse's Social Security?
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.
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.
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?
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?
Coordinating your benefits with your spouse's benefits can help you both get the most out of your Social Security payments. In some cases, it makes sense for both spouses to claim on the same spouse's earnings record. Many couples use a "split strategy," which means they begin claiming at different ages.
When can my spouse collect half of my Social Security?
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?
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%.
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 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 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 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 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 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).
What Does It Take to Qualify for Social Security Spousal Benefits?
Unlike most rules related to Social Security, the rules for the spousal benefit entitlement are pretty straightforward and easy to understand.
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 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 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 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 old do you have to be to get spousal benefits?
For spouses to receive the benefit, they must be at least age 62 or care for a child under age 16 (or one receiving Social Security disability benefits). In addition, spouses cannot claim the spousal benefit until the worker files for her or his benefit. There are other important caveats about the spousal benefit as well.
How much will my spouse get in Social Security in 2021?
The average monthly payout for all retired workers was $1,553.68 in May 2021 according to the Social Security Administration (SSA), while those claiming spousal benefits received an average check of $795.89.
How much is spousal benefit reduced?
The spousal benefit is reduced by about seven-tenths of one percent for each month before full retirement age, up to 36 months. If you exceed the 36 months, Social Security will dock about four-tenths of one percent for further months. The math can be complicated, but Social Security provides a tool to help you calculate your spousal benefit.
What percentage of my spouse's retirement benefits are reduced?
Benefits may be reduced so that the spouse receives as little as 32.5 percent of the retiree's benefit.
How long do you have to be married to claim Social Security?
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.
Can a spouse receive Social Security?
Social Security provides benefits not only to retired workers but also to spouses who have not contributed to the program. Spouses are one of the many beneficiaries of Social Security, and even ex-spouses can claim a payout from the program in some circumstances.
Can a spouse take their own benefit?
Spouses may also take their own benefit early and then switch to their partner's benefit later. "I have several clients where her own benefit is less than or very close to half the spousal benefit and he plans to wait until age 70 to claim," Toth says.
How long can you collect on your spouse's Social Security?
If you wait until you reach full retirement age, you can suspend your own payments until age 70, and collect on your spouse's benefit. Your benefit continues to grow each year until age 70.
How long do you have to pay Social Security?
You must pay in for at least 10 years to qualify for Social Security benefits on your own. If that doesn't apply to you, spousal benefits kick in. You begin to qualify at age 62 if your spouse has applied for benefits when you reach that age. The longer you wait, the larger your monthly payments will be. 1.
What if You Are Divorced?
If you were married to the same spouse for 10 years or longer and that person worked enough to qualify for Social Security, you can receive benefits on the ex-spouse's record. That's true even if they remarried.
What is the full retirement age?
Say your full retirement age is 66. If you start your retirement benefits at age 62, the monthly percentage of your spouse's Social Security that you receive is reduced until you reach full retirement age. That means: At age 62, you'd get 35% of your spouse's full benefit. At age 63, you'd get 37.5% of your spouse's full benefit.
What happens if you keep working and get a pension?
If you keep working or get a pension from a job, the amount you can receive is reduced. There are limits on how much you can collect in total.
Does drawing from your spouse's Social Security account affect your spouse's Social Security?
Drawing from your spouse's account does not affect how much your spouse receives. What's more, if you were married for at least 10 years and then divorced, the same rule applies. If you collect from your former spouse's Social Security, they will not know you are doing it. Records of your marital status and your Social Security numbers are all ...
Do You Qualify for Your Own Social Security Benefits?
If you worked and earned your own Social Security credits in your lifetime, you can combine your own and spousal benefits. 3 If your spouse's benefits are higher than yours, your benefits will adjust to the higher amount. 4
