What spouse benefits are and who can receive them

Spouse benefits are monthly payments you can receive based on your husband's or wife's Social Security record, even if you have never worked or have a low work history yourself. You do not need to be married for decades — you can receive benefits on an ex-spouse's record if the marriage lasted at least 10 years and you are at least 62 years old. The payment comes from Social Security, not from your spouse's personal account; it is a separate benefit the program offers to spouses and ex-spouses.

The amount you receive depends on your spouse's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) — the benefit they would get at their full retirement age — and your own age when you start receiving payments. If you claim before your full retirement age, your monthly payment will be permanently reduced. The reduction is steeper the earlier you claim.

You cannot receive spouse benefits unless your spouse (or ex-spouse) is already receiving Social Security, or is at least 62 years old and has filed for benefits. If your spouse has not yet filed, you may be able to file for benefits on their record once they reach 62, even if they choose to delay claiming their own benefits.

Key Takeaways

  • Spouse benefits are available to married people and ex-spouses (if married 10+ years) who are at least 62, based on their spouse's Social Security record rather than their own work history.
  • The maximum you can receive as a spouse is roughly 32.5% of your spouse's Primary Insurance Amount if you claim at your full retirement age, or less if you claim earlier.
  • Claiming before your full retirement age reduces your monthly payment permanently, and the reduction is larger the earlier you claim.
  • Your spouse must be at least 62 and have filed for benefits, or you must wait until they file, before you can receive spouse benefits.
  • If you are divorced and your ex-spouse has not filed, you can still file for benefits on their record once you are 62 and the marriage lasted at least 10 years.

How much you receive as a spouse

The maximum spouse benefit at your full retirement age is about 32.5% of your spouse's Primary Insurance Amount. This is not a fixed dollar amount — it depends entirely on what your spouse's benefit would be. If your spouse's PIA is $2,000 per month, the maximum you could receive as a spouse at your full retirement age would be roughly $650 per month. If their PIA is $3,000, yours would be roughly $975.

Your own work history can affect this amount. If you are may have access to to a Social Security benefit based on your own earnings record, Social Security will pay that first. If your spouse benefit would be higher, you receive an additional amount on top of your own benefit to bring you up to the spouse benefit level. This is called the Government Pension Offset in some cases, though that rule applies mainly to people who receive pensions from government work.

Claiming before your full retirement age reduces your payment. The reduction depends on how many months early you claim. If you claim at 62 and your full retirement age is 67, you lose roughly 32.5% of your maximum spouse benefit. If your full retirement age is 66, the reduction is smaller. The exact percentages vary by birth year.

Full retirement age and early claiming

Your full retirement age for spouse benefits depends on your birth year. If you were born in 1954 or earlier, your full retirement age is 66. If you were born between 1955 and 1959, it ranges from 66 and 2 months to 66 and 10 months. If you were born in 1960 or later, your full retirement age is 67.

You can claim spouse benefits as early as age 62, but your monthly payment will be permanently lower. The longer you wait past 62, the larger your monthly payment becomes, until you reach your full retirement age. After your full retirement age, waiting longer does not increase your spouse benefit further — it only increases your own retirement benefit if you have one.

If you are caring for your spouse's child who is under 16, you may be able to receive spouse benefits before age 62. This is called a caregiver benefit, and the child must be your spouse's biological or legally adopted child. You do not need to have reached any minimum age for this benefit, but the child must be under 16 and in your care.

Divorced spouse benefits and the 10-year rule

If you are divorced, you can receive benefits on your ex-spouse's record if the marriage lasted at least 10 years, you are at least 62 years old, and you are not currently married. The 10 years do not have to be consecutive — Social Security counts the total time you were married to that person. You do not need your ex-spouse's permission, and they do not need to know you are filing.

Your ex-spouse must be at least 62 for you to file on their record. If they have not yet filed for their own benefits, you can still file for benefits on their record once you reach 62, as long as the divorce has been final for at least 2 years. If the divorce has been final for less than 2 years, you must wait until your ex-spouse has actually filed for benefits before you can file on their record.

The amount you receive as a divorced spouse follows the same rules as married spouse benefits — roughly 32.5% of your ex-spouse's PIA at your full retirement age, reduced if you claim earlier. If you remarry, you lose the right to benefits on your ex-spouse's record, though you may be able to receive benefits on your new spouse's record instead.

How your own work history affects spouse benefits

If you have worked and earned Social Security credits, you are may have access to to a retirement benefit based on your own record. Social Security will always pay your own benefit first. If your spouse benefit would be higher than your own benefit, you receive an additional amount to bring you up to the spouse benefit level.

This matters because it changes the total you receive. Suppose your own retirement benefit at 67 would be $600 per month, and your spouse's benefit would allow you to receive $800 per month as a spouse. You would receive $600 from your own record plus $200 as a spouse, for a total of $800. You do not receive both amounts in full; Social Security coordinates them so you get the higher of the two.

If you have very little work history, your own benefit may be very small or zero. In that case, you receive almost the full spouse benefit amount (subject to the age reduction if you claim early). If you have a substantial work history, your own benefit may be close to or equal to your spouse benefit, so the additional spouse amount is small or zero.

Earnings limits and work after claiming

If you claim spouse benefits before your full retirement age and you continue to work, your benefits may be reduced based on your earnings. For 2024, if you earn more than $23,400 per year, Social Security reduces your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn above that limit. This reduction applies only until you reach your full retirement age; after that, you can earn any amount without a reduction.

The earnings limit applies only to you — your spouse's earnings do not affect your spouse benefit. If your spouse continues to work and earns above the limit, their own benefit may be reduced, but that does not directly reduce your spouse benefit. However, if your spouse's benefit is reduced due to their earnings, your spouse benefit may be reduced as well, since your benefit is based on theirs.

Once you reach your full retirement age, the earnings limit no longer applies. You can work and earn any amount without any reduction to your benefits. This is true whether you are receiving benefits on your own record, your spouse's record, or both.

How to file for spouse benefits

You file for spouse benefits by contacting Social Security directly. You can call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778 for deaf and hard of hearing), visit your local Social Security office in person, or file online at ssa.gov if you have a my Social Security account. You will need to provide proof of your age, citizenship or legal residency, and your marriage certificate (or divorce decree if you are filing as a divorced spouse).

Social Security will ask about your work history, your spouse's work history, and when you want your benefits to start. Be clear about whether you are filing for your own retirement benefit, your spouse benefit, or both. If you are may be able to access for both, Social Security will explain how the two benefits coordinate and what your total monthly payment will be.

Processing typically takes 1 to 3 months. Social Security will send you a notice showing your benefit amount and your start date. Payments are deposited directly into your bank account, usually on the third or fourth Wednesday of each month, depending on your birth date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive spouse benefits if my spouse is still working and has not claimed Social Security yet?

Not unless your spouse is at least 62 and has filed for benefits. If your spouse has not filed, you must wait until they file or until they reach 62 and you have been married for at least 2 years (or you are caring for their child under 16). Once your spouse files, you can file on their record even if they choose to delay their own benefit.

What happens to my spouse benefit if my spouse dies?

Your spouse benefit ends when your spouse dies. However, you may be may have access to to a survivor benefit (widow or widower benefit) based on your spouse's record. The amount and your may be able to access for survivor benefits follow different rules than spouse benefits. Contact Social Security to learn what you may receive.

If I claim spouse benefits at 62, can I change my mind and wait until later?

You can withdraw your process within 12 months of filing and repay all benefits you received. After 12 months, you cannot withdraw. If you have already reached your full retirement age, you can suspend your benefits and let them grow, but this is different from withdrawing your process.

Does my spouse have to be a U.S. citizen for me to receive spouse benefits?

No. Your spouse does not have to be a U.S. citizen, but you must be a U.S. citizen, national, or have a valid green card to receive spouse benefits. If you are not a U.S. citizen, contact Social Security to learn what documentation you need to provide.

Can I receive spouse benefits if I am married but separated?

You must be legally married to receive spouse benefits. A separation does not end the marriage, so you may still be may have access to to spouse benefits. However, if you divorce, you can only receive benefits on your ex-spouse's record if the marriage lasted at least 10 years and you meet the other requirements.