For millions of retirees, Social Security makes up a large part, or even all, of their income after leaving the workforce. And while benefits are typically calculated based on a person’s individual earnings, not everyone has a full or consistent employment record. That’s where spousal benefits come in.
These provisions allow individuals to receive benefits based on a partner’s earnings, potentially giving access to up to 50% of their spouse’s full retirement benefit. It’s a valuable option for those who spent years as caregivers, held part-time work, or faced health limitations that kept them out of the workforce. But there are specific eligibility rules, and timing is key.
Spousal Benefits: Who Qualifies and under What Conditions
According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), spousal benefits are available to individuals who meet three main conditions: the primary spouse must already be receiving retirement benefits, the marriage must have lasted at least one year (or ten years if divorced), and the applicant must be at least 62 years old or caring for a child who qualifies under SSA guidelines.
The benefit is not automatic. To receive it, the spouse with lower or no earnings must apply, and they will only receive payments while the higher-earning partner is actively collecting their Social Security benefits. If the primary beneficiary suspends their payments, for example, to accrue delayed retirement credits, the spousal benefits will also stop.
It’s also important to note that remarriage usually ends eligibility for spousal benefits from a former partner, though benefits can still be claimed through a current spouse. Applicants should verify their projected benefits by checking their earnings record on the SSA’s online platform.
How Much You Can Receive and When to Claim
The maximum spousal benefit is 50% of the primary spouse’s Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which is the monthly benefit they’d receive at Full Retirement Age (FRA). If, for example, the working spouse’s PIA is $2,400, their partner could claim up to $1,200 per month, if they wait until their own FRA.
Spousal benefits can be claimed as early as age 62, but this comes with a permanent reduction. According to the SSA, claiming one year early results in an 8.3% cut, while claiming at 62 could reduce benefits by as much as 35%. Unlike standard Social Security retirement benefits, delaying spousal benefits beyond FRA does not increase the monthly amount. In fact, FRA is the latest point at which someone can maximize this particular benefit.
Another key detail: spousal benefits don’t stack. If you qualify for benefits based on your own record, the SSA will first pay that amount. If your spousal benefit is higher, you’ll receive a combination that totals the higher figure, not both amounts.
