Learn about eligibility, requirements, and application for spousal Social Security benefits. Find out if you qualify and how to apply for additional retirement income.
Questions Answered in this Article
- What is a spousal Social Security benefit, and who is eligible for it?
- A spousal Social Security benefit is a benefit of up to 50% of your spouse’s or ex-spouse’s retirement amount, available regardless of marital status. To be eligible, you must have been married or currently be married for a particular duration and satisfy other conditions such as age requirements.
- What are the eligibility requirements for spousal Social Security benefits if you’re married and not caring for a child?
- To be eligible for spousal Social Security benefits if you’re married and not caring for a child, you must have been married for at least one year, be at least 62 years old, and your spouse must already be receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits.
- Can you receive both your own Social Security benefits and spousal benefits?
- Yes, even if you qualify for your own Social Security benefits, you may still be eligible for additional spousal benefits if you meet the eligibility criteria.
- What are the eligibility requirements for spousal Social Security benefits if you’re divorced and not caring for a child?
- To be eligible for spousal Social Security benefits if you’re divorced and not caring for a child, you must have been married for at least ten years, be at least 62 years old, currently be unmarried, and your ex-spouse must already be receiving or entitled to Social Security or disability benefits.
- How can you apply for spousal Social Security benefits?
- You can apply for spousal Social Security benefits online if you’re within three months of your 62nd birthday or older. You can also call the SSA’s national toll-free service or visit your local Social Security office. You may need to provide supporting documents, but the SSA advises against sending any documents unless specifically requested.
Spousal Social Security Benefits: A Comprehensive Guide
Spousal Social Security benefits of up to 50% of your spouse’s or ex-spouse’s total retirement amount may be available regardless of marital status. This benefit can be beneficial if you’ve earned less income than your spouse during your working years.
To be eligible for Social Security spousal retirement benefits, you must have been married or currently be married for a particular duration and satisfy other conditions such as age requirements. The minimum duration of marriage needed to qualify varies based on whether you’re still married, divorced, or caring for a dependent child.
Spousal Social Security Benefits for Married Couples without Dependent Children
If you’re married and not caring for a child, you may still be eligible for a spousal Social Security benefit, even if you never worked in a job that had Social Security tax withheld. To be eligible, you need to meet the following requirements:
- You must have been married for at least one year.
- You must be at least 62 years old.
- Your spouse must already be receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits.
Even if you qualify for your own Social Security benefits, you may still be eligible for additional spousal benefits if you meet the abovementioned criteria. The Social Security Administration will first pay for your personal use in such a case. If your spousal benefit is higher than your benefit, you’ll receive an additional payment to bring your total benefit amount up to the higher use.
Spousal Social Security Benefits for Married or Divorced Couples with Dependent Children
If you’re married or divorced and have a dependent child, the eligibility criteria for spousal Social Security benefits are less stringent:
- You can be matched for any time, as long as you and your spouse are the child’s biological parents.
- You can receive the benefit at any age, not just at 62.
- Your child must be under 16 years old or become disabled before age 22 and be eligible for benefits.
Spousal Social Security Benefits for Divorced Individuals without Dependent Children
If you’re divorced and not caring for a child, you may still be eligible for spousal Social Security benefits, even if your ex-spouse has remarried, and you don’t have to notify them.
Your spousal divorce benefit won’t be affected by your ex’s remarriage, and claiming a spousal benefit won’t affect the Social Security benefits of your ex or their current spouse. Additionally, if your ex-spouse has passed away since your divorce, you may qualify for Surviving Divorced Spouse’s Benefits.
To be eligible for spousal Social Security benefits after divorce, you must:
- Have been married for at least ten years.
- Be at least 62 years old.
- Currently, be unmarried (your ex can be remarried).
- Has your ex already been receiving or entitled to Social Security or disability benefits?
- If your ex hasn’t yet claimed their available use, you must have been divorced for at least two years.
- The help your ex is receiving (or entitled to) must be greater than the benefit on your record.
The Social Security Administration will first pay the amount on your record, then add the amount you’re entitled to on your ex’s record. This will result in a higher combined benefit, but you won’t receive two full benefits simultaneously.
If you were born before Jan. 2, 1954, and have reached full retirement age, you can begin claiming your spousal Social Security first and claim your benefit later. If you were born on or after Jan. 2, 1954, you must file for both personal retirement and spousal benefits simultaneously.
How to Apply for Spousal Social Security Benefits
To apply for your personal and spousal Social Security benefits, there are a few options available:
If you’re within three months of your 62nd birthday or older, you can file on the Social Security website. Make sure to check the boxes for both retirement and family benefits.
To apply, you can also call the SSA’s national toll-free service at 800-772-1213 (TTY 800-325-0778).
Another option is to visit your local Social Security office, although scheduling an appointment beforehand is recommended.
You may sometimes need to provide supporting documents, such as a marriage certificate or divorce decree, to receive spousal benefits. However, the SSA advises against sending any documents unless specifically requested.
Summary
- Spousal Social Security benefits may be available to those who have earned less income than their spouse during their working years.
- To be eligible for spousal retirement benefits, you must have been married for a particular duration and satisfy other conditions such as age requirements.
- If you’re married and not caring for a child, you may still be eligible for a spousal Social Security benefit, even if you never worked in a job that had Social Security tax withheld.
- Even if you qualify for your own Social Security benefits, you may still be eligible for additional spousal benefits if you meet the eligibility criteria.
- If you’re married or divorced with a dependent child, the eligibility criteria for spousal Social Security benefits are less stringent.
- If you’re divorced and not caring for a child, you may still be eligible for spousal Social Security benefits, even if your ex-spouse has remarried.
- To apply for your personal and spousal Social Security benefits, you can file online, call the SSA’s national toll-free service, or visit your local Social Security office.
- Sometimes, you may need to provide supporting documents to receive spousal benefits, but the SSA advises against sending any documents unless specifically requested.
