What spousal benefits are and who can receive them

If your spouse receives Social Security, you may be able to receive benefits based on their work record instead of (or in addition to) your own. This is called a spousal benefit. You do not need to have worked to receive it, and your spouse's benefit amount does not change if you claim on their record.

The spousal benefit is typically up to 50% of what your spouse receives at their full retirement age — not at the age they actually started collecting. If your spouse waits until age 70 to claim, their own benefit grows, but the maximum spousal benefit stays the same. You receive a percentage of their full retirement age amount, regardless of when they claimed.

You must be at least 62 years old to claim spousal benefits. You also must be married, or be divorced from someone you were married to for at least 10 years (and not currently married to someone else). If you are caring for your spouse's child who is under 16, you can claim at any age.

Key Takeaways

  • Spousal benefits are based on your spouse's work record and can be up to 50% of their full retirement age benefit amount.
  • You do not need your own work history to claim spousal benefits, but you must be at least 62 years old (or caring for a child under 16).
  • Your spouse's benefit does not decrease if you claim on their record, and you can claim even if they have not yet started collecting.
  • If you are divorced, you may claim spousal benefits on an ex-spouse's record if you were married for at least 10 years and are not currently married.
  • Claiming before your full retirement age reduces your spousal benefit permanently, and you may face earnings limits if you work.

How the benefit amount is calculated

Social Security calculates your spousal benefit as a percentage of your spouse's primary insurance amount — the benefit they would receive at their full retirement age. Full retirement age is between 66 and 67 depending on birth year. If your spouse claims at 62, their own benefit is reduced, but your spousal benefit is still based on their full retirement age amount, not the reduced amount they actually receive.

The exact percentage you receive depends on your age when you claim. If you claim at your full retirement age, you receive up to 50% of your spouse's full retirement age benefit. If you claim at 62, the reduction is steeper — typically around 32% to 35% of their full retirement age amount. The younger you are when you claim, the smaller your benefit becomes.

If you have your own work record, Social Security pays your own benefit first. If your spousal benefit would be higher, they add the difference. This is called a deemed claim, and it applies to most people born after January 1, 1954. People born before that date may have different rules that allow them to claim spousal benefits without triggering their own benefit.

When you can claim on a divorced spouse's record

You can claim spousal benefits on a divorced spouse's record if you were married for at least 10 years, you are at least 62, and you are not currently married. Your ex-spouse does not need to have claimed Social Security yet — you can claim on their record once they reach 62, even if they choose not to collect.

The benefit works the same way: up to 50% of their full retirement age amount if you claim at your full retirement age, less if you claim earlier. Your ex-spouse's benefit is not affected, and they do not need to know you have claimed. If you have been divorced for at least two years, you can claim even if your ex-spouse has not yet reached 62.

If you were married more than once and each marriage lasted at least 10 years, you can choose which ex-spouse's record to claim on. Social Security will pay you based on whichever record gives you the higher benefit.

How claiming early affects your benefit

Claiming spousal benefits before your full retirement age results in a permanent reduction. The reduction is not temporary — it applies to every payment you receive for the rest of your life. At 62, you might receive around 32% to 35% of your spouse's full retirement age benefit instead of the full 50%.

There is also an earnings limit if you claim before full retirement age and continue to work. For 2024, if you earn more than $23,400 per year, Social Security withholds $1 from your benefit for every $2 you earn above that amount. Once you reach full retirement age, the earnings limit no longer applies, and you receive your full benefit regardless of how much you work.

If you delay claiming past your full retirement age, your spousal benefit does not increase the way your own benefit would. Spousal benefits max out at 50% of your spouse's full retirement age amount. Waiting past full retirement age does not raise that percentage, so there is no financial advantage to delaying a spousal claim once you reach full retirement age.

Coordinating with your spouse's claiming strategy

Your spouse's decision about when to claim affects your options. If your spouse claims at 62, their benefit is reduced permanently, but you can still claim spousal benefits based on their full retirement age amount. If your spouse waits until 70, their own benefit grows by 8% per year, but the maximum spousal benefit you can receive stays the same.

Some couples benefit from one spouse claiming early while the other waits. For example, if one spouse has a much higher earning record, that spouse might delay to age 70 while the other claims spousal benefits at 62. This provides household income while allowing the higher earner's benefit to grow. However, this strategy depends on your specific ages, health, and earnings records.

If you are both may be able to access for benefits on your own work records and as a spouse, Social Security's rules determine which benefit you receive first. For most people born after 1954, you cannot choose to take only spousal benefits and delay your own — claiming triggers both, and you receive the higher of the two amounts.

What happens if your spouse passes away

If your spouse dies, you may be able to receive survivor benefits instead of spousal benefits. Survivor benefits can be higher than spousal benefits and have different rules. You can claim survivor benefits as early as age 60 (or 50 if you are disabled), and the amount depends on your spouse's age at death and your age when you claim.

If you were receiving spousal benefits when your spouse died, your benefit converts to a survivor benefit. The amount may increase, decrease, or stay the same depending on your ages and when your spouse claimed. It is worth contacting Social Security after your spouse's death to understand how your benefit changes.

Taxes and other considerations

Spousal benefits are subject to federal income tax if your combined income exceeds certain thresholds. Combined income includes your adjusted gross income, non-taxable interest, and half of your Social Security benefits. If your combined income is between $25,000 and $34,000 (single) or $32,000 and $44,000 (married filing jointly), up to 50% of your benefits may be taxable. Above those thresholds, up to 85% may be taxable.

Some states do not tax Social Security benefits at all, while others tax them like regular income. Check your state's rules if you live outside the United States or plan to move. Also, receiving spousal benefits may affect other benefits you receive, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or certain need-based programs, so it is worth reviewing your full situation before claiming.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Once your spouse reaches 62, you can claim on their record even if they have not started collecting. If you were divorced and have been apart for at least two years, you can claim once your ex-spouse reaches 62, regardless of whether they have claimed.

Will my spouse's benefit go down if I claim on their record?

No. Your spouse's benefit amount does not change. Social Security pays you from their earnings record, but it does not reduce what they receive. Both of you can collect based on the same work record.

What if I have my own work record and a spousal benefit available?

Social Security pays your own benefit first. If the spousal benefit would be higher, they add the difference so you receive the larger amount. For most people born after 1954, you cannot choose to take only spousal benefits and delay your own — claiming triggers both.

Can I change my mind after I claim spousal benefits?

If you claim and then change your mind within 12 months, you can withdraw your claim and reapply later. You must repay all benefits received. After 12 months, you cannot withdraw, but you may be able to suspend your benefits at full retirement age and restart them later at a higher amount.

How much will my spousal benefit be if I claim at 62?

The exact amount depends on your spouse's full retirement age benefit and your birth year. Generally, claiming at 62 results in about 32% to 35% of your spouse's full retirement age benefit, compared to 50% if you wait until your full retirement age. Contact Social Security for a personalized estimate.