Nearly 70 million Americans will receive Social Security checks in 2025. For many retired couples, these benefits make up a large part of their income.
According to the Social Security Administration, they contribute nearly one-third of older adults’ retirement funds.
One way to increase your Social Security income is through spousal benefits. On average, these payments are around $931 per month as of January 2025.
If you are married or divorced, here are three key things you need to know about spousal Social Security benefits.
1. You Can Qualify If You’re Married, Divorced, or Widowed
Spousal benefits are available to those who are currently married, divorced, or widowed.
If you are at least 62 years old and your spouse qualifies for retirement or disability benefits, you may be able to receive up to 50% of your full benefit amount.
This is based on their earnings at full retirement age.
Eligibility for Divorced Spouses
Divorced spouses may also qualify for spousal benefits. To be eligible:
- Your previous marriage must have lasted at least 10 years.
- You must not be currently married.
- Your former spouse must qualify for Social Security benefits.
Even if your ex-spouse has remarried, you can still collect benefits based on their work record. Their current spouse can also receive benefits without affecting their payments.
Eligibility for Widows and Widowers
If your spouse passes away, you may qualify for survivors’ benefits. This means you could receive their full Social Security benefit.
Other family members, such as dependent children or parents, may also be eligible for survivors’ benefits in certain cases.
2. Your Retirement Benefit May Affect Spousal Payments
If you never worked or didn’t earn enough to qualify for Social Security, you can still receive spousal benefits.
However, if you are eligible for your retirement benefits, it could change the amount you receive.
How Payments Work?
If you qualify for both your retirement benefits and spousal benefits, the Social Security Administration will compare the two amounts and pay you the higher one. Here’s how it works:
- You receive your retirement benefit first.
- If your spousal benefit is higher, you get an extra payment to match that amount.
For example, if your retirement benefit is $1,000 per month but your spousal benefit is $1,200 per month, you will first receive $1,000.
Then, an additional $200 will be added to match the higher spousal benefit.
However, if your retirement benefit is higher than the spousal benefit, you won’t receive spousal payments at all.
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3. The Age You File Affects Your Benefit Amount
The amount you receive in spousal benefits depends on when you start claiming.
To get the maximum benefit (50% of your spouse’s full benefit), you need to file at your full retirement age (FRA), which is between 66 and 67, depending on your birth year.
Filing Early Reduces Your Payments
If you file before your full retirement age, your benefits will be permanently reduced. For example, if you claim at age 62 instead of 67, your payments will be lower than the maximum 50%.
Unlike regular Social Security benefits, delaying spousal benefits past your FRA does not increase your payments.
Even if your spouse delays their benefits, your spousal benefit will not increase beyond 50% of their full retirement amount.
Special Cases for Younger Spouses
In some cases, you may be able to claim spousal benefits before turning 62.
If you are caring for a child under 16 or a disabled child who qualifies for Social Security, you may be eligible for benefits at any age.
Maximizing Your Social Security Benefits
Understanding Social Security rules can help you maximize your benefits. Many retirees miss out on extra income simply because they don’t know they qualify.
By knowing how spousal benefits work, you can make better decisions about when and how to claim them.
If you are unsure about your eligibility, consider speaking with a Social Security expert or using the Social Security Administration’s online tools.
This will help you ensure you are getting the most out of your retirement income.
Disclaimer- Our team has thoroughly fact-checked this article to ensure its accuracy and maintain its credibility. We are committed to providing honest and reliable content for our readers.
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