Learn about spousal Social Security benefits: how much you can receive, who qualifies, and how survivor benefits work after a spouse passes away.
What Are Spousal Social Security Benefits?
If one spouse (breadwinner) qualifies for Social Security benefits, the other spouse (housekeeper) can receive up to 50% of the breadwinner’s benefit as spousal benefits. For example, if one spouse is receiving $2,000/month in Social Security, the other spouse is eligible to receive $1,000/month even if they have never paid Social Security taxes.
If the spouse receiving $2,000 (breadwinner) passes away, the surviving spouse (housekeeper) may receive the full $2,000/month through Widow or Widower benefits (Survivor Benefits).
Quick Guide to Spousal Social Security
How to Maximize Spousal Benefits
To receive the full spousal benefit, apply at your Full Retirement Age (FRA). If you were born in 1960 or later, your FRA is 67. For earlier birth years, refer to the official FRA chart.
While personal Social Security benefits increase by 8% annually if delayed past FRA (up to age 70), spousal benefits do not increase beyond FRA. There is no advantage to delaying spousal benefits past FRA.
Spousal benefits can be claimed as early as age 62, but early filing will reduce the benefit amount.
How Are Spousal Benefits Calculated?
Spousal benefits are calculated based on the breadwinner’s benefit at their Full Retirement Age. In other words, if the housekeeper spouse applies at their own FRA, they receive 50% of what the breadwinner receives at FRA.
Spouse Must Apply First
The breadwinner must have already claimed their Social Security benefits before the other spouse can apply for spousal benefits. If the breadwinner hasn’t applied yet, spousal benefits cannot begin.
How to Apply for Social Security
You can apply at the Social Security website: https://www.ssa.gov/apply
What to Consider Before Applying
Applying for Social Security is a major decision that locks in your lifetime income. Here are some key considerations to help you make the best choice:
- Spousal and survivor benefits
- Taxable portion of Social Security income
- Your investment risk tolerance (conservative investors may benefit more by delaying)
- If you continue working, benefits may be temporarily reduced
To ensure a stable retirement, aim to cover your basic living expenses with guaranteed lifetime income. If Social Security isn’t enough, consider personal retirement annuities.
Personal Retirement Annuities – Immediate Annuity
Deferred Immediate Annuity Example: Turn $100,000 into guaranteed lifetime income.
