What spousal benefits are and who can receive them

Spousal benefits let you collect Social Security based on your spouse's work record instead of your own. You receive a percentage of what your spouse gets at their full retirement age — typically 32.5% to 50%, depending on your age when you claim. The payment comes from Social Security, not from your spouse's benefit amount, so claiming does not reduce what they receive.

You can claim spousal benefits if you are at least 62 years old and your spouse is already receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits. You must be married, and the marriage must have lasted at least two years (with one exception: if you are caring for your spouse's child who is under 16 or disabled, the two-year rule does not apply).

If you are divorced, you may also claim on an ex-spouse's record under similar rules, though the marriage must have lasted at least 10 years and you must be at least 62. Your ex does not need to know you are claiming, and the benefit does not affect their payment.

Key Takeaways

  • Spousal benefits are a percentage of your spouse's full retirement age benefit, ranging from about 32.5% at age 62 to 50% at your full retirement age.
  • You must be at least 62 years old, married for at least two years (or caring for a child under 16), and your spouse must already be receiving Social Security.
  • If you claim before your full retirement age, your benefit is reduced by a percentage that increases the earlier you claim.
  • You can claim on a divorced spouse's record if the marriage lasted at least 10 years and you are at least 62, without notifying your ex.
  • The amount you receive depends on your age at claim, your spouse's benefit amount, and whether you have your own Social Security record.

How the payment amount is calculated

Social Security calculates your spousal benefit as a percentage of your spouse's primary insurance amount (PIA) — the benefit they receive at their full retirement age. If your spouse gets $2,000 per month at full retirement age, your spousal benefit at full retirement age would be $1,000 (50%). If you claim at 62 instead, that amount is reduced.

The reduction depends on how many months before your full retirement age you claim. Claiming at 62 typically reduces your benefit by about 32.5% of your spouse's PIA, rather than 50%. The exact percentage varies slightly by birth year. Social Security publishes reduction tables, and your local office can calculate your specific amount before you claim.

If you have your own Social Security record, Social Security compares your own benefit to your spousal benefit and pays you the higher of the two. This is called the deemed filing rule. If you were born on January 2, 1954 or later, you cannot claim only spousal benefits while letting your own benefit grow — you must claim both at the same time.

Age requirements and how claiming age affects your payment

You must be at least 62 to claim spousal benefits. Your spouse must already be receiving Social Security — they cannot simply be may be able to access. If your spouse has not yet claimed, you generally cannot claim on their record, even if they are past full retirement age.

The age you claim directly affects your monthly payment. Claiming at 62 gives you the smallest monthly amount but you receive payments for more years. Claiming at your full retirement age (66 to 67, depending on birth year) gives you 50% of your spouse's full retirement age benefit. Claiming after full retirement age does not increase your spousal benefit further — it stays at 50% — but it does increase your own benefit if you have a work record.

Your spouse's age does not limit when you can claim spousal benefits, as long as they are already receiving Social Security. However, if your spouse has not yet claimed, you must wait until they do.

How to claim spousal benefits

You claim spousal benefits through Social Security directly. You can start the process online at ssa.gov, by calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or by visiting your local Social Security office in person. Online is usually fastest if you have a my Social Security account set up.

When you claim, you will need to provide your spouse's Social Security number, your marriage certificate or a certified copy, and proof of your age (birth certificate, passport, or driver's license). If you are divorced, bring the divorce decree. Social Security will verify your spouse's benefit amount and calculate your payment.

Processing typically takes two to four weeks if you claim online or by phone, longer if you apply in person during busy periods. You can check the status of your claim through your my Social Security account or by calling the number above. Payments usually begin the month after Social Security approves your claim, though the exact timing depends on when in the month you apply.

Spousal benefits for divorced people

If you are divorced, you can claim on your ex-spouse's record if the marriage lasted at least 10 years, you are at least 62, and you are not currently married. Your ex does not need to agree or even know that you are claiming. The benefit does not reduce their payment or affect their family's benefits in any way.

If you remarry, you generally lose the right to claim on your ex's record and must claim on your current spouse's record instead (if you are married at least two years). If that marriage ends in divorce, you can claim on either ex's record, as long as each marriage lasted 10 years.

The payment calculation is the same as for current spouses: up to 50% of your ex's full retirement age benefit if you claim at your full retirement age, or a reduced amount if you claim at 62. You claim through Social Security using the same process as current spouses, providing your divorce decree instead of a marriage certificate.

What happens to spousal benefits if your spouse dies

If your spouse dies while you are receiving spousal benefits, your benefit converts to a survivor benefit. The amount may increase — survivor benefits can be up to 75% of what your spouse was receiving, depending on your age. You do not need to reapply; Social Security handles the conversion automatically.

If your spouse dies before claiming Social Security, you may still be able to claim survivor benefits based on their record, even if you never claimed spousal benefits. The rules and amounts differ from spousal benefits, so contact Social Security to understand what you are may have access to to receive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim spousal benefits if my spouse has not claimed yet?

No. Your spouse must already be receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits. If they have reached full retirement age but have not claimed, they must claim first before you can claim on their record. One exception: if your spouse is at least 62 and you are caring for their child under 16, you may be able to claim even if they have not claimed yet.

Will claiming spousal benefits reduce my spouse's payment?

No. Spousal benefits come from Social Security's overall fund, not from your spouse's benefit. Your spouse receives their full amount regardless of whether you claim. However, if your spouse claims before full retirement age, their own benefit is reduced, which in turn reduces the amount your spousal benefit is based on.

What if I have my own Social Security record — do I get both benefits?

You receive whichever is higher: your own benefit or your spousal benefit. Social Security does not pay both. If you were born January 2, 1954 or later, you claim both at the same time and receive the larger amount. If you were born before that date, you may have had the option to claim spousal only, but that option is no longer available for new claims.

Can I change my mind after I claim spousal benefits?

Yes, but only within limits. If you claim and then change your mind within 12 months, you can withdraw your claim, repay what you received, and reapply later at a higher rate. After 12 months, you cannot withdraw. You can suspend your benefits at full retirement age to let them grow, but this is rarely used for spousal benefits since they do not increase after full retirement age.

How do taxes affect spousal benefits?

Spousal benefits are taxable income. If your combined income (adjusted gross income plus half your Social Security benefits) exceeds certain thresholds, up to 50% or 85% of your benefits may be subject to federal income tax. State taxes vary. Contact a tax professional or Social Security for your specific situation.