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Did you know you may be eligible for Social Security benefits based on your spouse’s work record—even if your own Social Security benefit is small?
Many people are familiar with their own Social Security retirement benefit, but fewer realize that Social Security also provides spousal benefits that may help provide additional retirement income.
Many people are familiar with their own Social Security retirement benefit, but fewer realize that Social Security also provides spousal benefits that may help provide additional retirement income.
At Plumb Financial, we believe Social Security should be part of a larger retirement income strategy. Understanding how spousal Social Security benefits work can help you make more informed decisions about when and how to claim your benefits.
Let’s take a closer look.
While you work, you generally pay Social Security taxes and earn credits toward your own retirement benefit. In most cases, you need 40 credits—roughly 10 years of work—to qualify for your own retirement benefit.
But what happens if your own Social Security benefit is relatively small?
You may be eligible for a Social Security spousal benefit based on your spouse’s earnings record.
For someone who qualifies for a full spousal benefit, the maximum amount can be up to 50% of the worker’s Primary Insurance Amount (PIA)—the benefit the worker would receive at their Full Retirement Age (FRA).
That does not necessarily mean you receive an additional 50% on top of your own benefit. Social Security coordinates your own retirement benefit and your spousal benefit according to its filing rules.
Generally, you may qualify for a spousal retirement benefit if:
There are important exceptions and special circumstances, so eligibility should be evaluated based on your individual situation.
You don’t necessarily have to choose between your own benefit and your spouse’s benefit.
If you qualify for both, Social Security generally pays your own retirement benefit first and then adds a spousal benefit amount, if applicable, so that your total benefit reaches the amount you’re entitled to receive under the applicable rules.
For example, imagine your benefit at Full Retirement Age is $800 per month, while your maximum benefit based on your spouse’s record is $1,500.
Your benefit would generally be paid first, with a potential spousal supplement bringing the total to the applicable spousal amount.
The exact calculation depends on your individual Social Security record and when you claim.
This is where timing becomes especially important.
You can generally begin receiving retirement or spousal benefits at age 62, but claiming before your Full Retirement Age can permanently reduce the amount of your benefit.
If you wait until your Full Retirement Age, you can receive your full spousal benefit, subject to the applicable rules.
For people born in 1960 or later, Full Retirement Age is currently 67. For earlier birth years, Full Retirement Age ranges from 66 to 66 and 10 months.
One important distinction: spousal benefits do not receive delayed retirement credits for waiting beyond Full Retirement Age.
In other words, waiting to claim a spousal benefit beyond your Full Retirement Age does not increase the spousal portion the way delaying your own retirement benefit can increase your retirement benefit up to age 70.
That makes the timing decision especially important when coordinating your own benefit with your spouse’s benefit.
Here’s another Social Security rule that many people don’t know about.
If you are divorced, you may be able to receive benefits based on your former spouse’s Social Security record.
Generally, you may qualify if:
And here’s an important point: your former spouse does not necessarily have to be receiving Social Security benefits for you to qualify.
If your former spouse is eligible for retirement benefits and the other requirements are met, a divorced spouse may be able to claim based on the former spouse’s record even before the former spouse files.
You also generally do not need to contact your former spouse to apply.
For some households, Social Security represents an important portion of retirement income.
Understanding spousal benefits can help you answer questions such as:
These decisions shouldn’t be made in isolation.
Social Security is just one piece of your retirement income puzzle. Your retirement accounts, investments, taxes, healthcare costs, lifestyle goals, and longevity all need to be considered together.
Social Security rules can be complicated, and the best claiming strategy isn’t necessarily the same for every household.
If your spouse has a substantially larger Social Security benefit than you do, or if you have a previous marriage that lasted 10 years or more, spousal Social Security benefits may deserve a closer look as part of your retirement plan.
The goal isn’t simply to claim Social Security as soon as possible.
The goal is to understand your options and determine how Social Security can work alongside the rest of your retirement income strategy.
At Plumb Financial, we help clients look at the bigger picture—retirement income, investments, taxes, Social Security, and long-term financial goals—so their decisions work together rather than independently.
Your Social Security benefit is more than a monthly check. It’s an important piece of your retirement income plan.
If you have questions about spousal Social Security benefits, divorced spouse benefits, or when you should claim Social Security, we’re here to help you evaluate your options and build a strategy around your goals.
Social Security rules are complex and individual circumstances can change the outcome. This article is for educational purposes only and is not individualized Social Security, tax, or investment advice. For the most current eligibility and benefit information, consult the Social Security Administration and consider your complete financial situation before making a claiming decision.
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