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August 24, 2023 •By Dawn Bystry, Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated:August 24, 2023
Social Security benefits are a crucial part of millions of Americans’ retirement income.
If you don’t have enough Social Security credits to qualify for benefits on your own record, you may be able to receive benefits on your spouse’s record.
To qualify for spouse’s benefits, you must be one of the following:
- 62 years of age or older.
- Any age and have in your care a child younger than age 16, or who has a disability and is entitled to receive benefits on your spouse’s record.
Your full spouse’s benefit could be up to one-half the amount your spouse is entitled to receive at their full retirement age. If you choose to receive your spouse’s benefits before you reach full retirement age, you will get a permanently reduced benefit.
If you wait until you reach full retirement age to receive benefits, you’ll receive your full spouse’s benefit amount, which is up to one-half the amount your spouse can receive. You’ll also get your full spouse’s benefit if you are under full retirement age, but care for a child and one of the following applies:
- The child is younger than age 16.
- The child has a disability and is entitled to receive benefits on your spouse’s record.
If you’re eligible to receive retirement benefits on your own record, we will pay that amount first. If your benefits as a spouse are higher than your own retirement benefits, you will get a combination of benefits that equal the higher spouse benefit.
For example, Sandy qualifies for a retirement benefit of $1,000 and a spouse’s benefit of $1,250. At her full retirement age, she will receive her own $1,000 retirement benefit. We will add $250 from her spouse’s benefit, for a total of $1,250.
Want to apply for either your or your spouse’s benefits? Are you at least 61 years and nine months old? If you answered yes to both, visit our website to get started today.
Are you divorced from a marriage that lasted at least 10 years? You may be able to get benefits on your former spouse’s record. You can find out more by visiting our Benefits For Your Family pagefor more information.
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Tags: Children, General Information, retirement benefits, Social Security benefits, survivors benefits
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About the Author
Dawn Bystry, Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
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Comments
Ruthie D.
I’m 61 years old will be 62 in in three (3) months I’m on ssdi will I be eligible (switch) to collect my husband or my retirement if not when and I’m using my spouse address to receive my mail even though I don’t stay there is that a problem
Sue
Hi, Ruthie. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. When you reach your full retirement age, we’ll automatically convert your disability benefits to retirement benefits. Generally, the benefit amount is the same. You can begin receiving reduced spouse’s benefits on your husband’s record as early as age 62. You may be eligible for up to one-half his retirement benefit amount. If your benefits as a spouse are greater than your disability benefits, you can get a combination of benefits equaling the higher amount. To discuss your options with a representative, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. For more information about spouse’s benefits, check out our Benefits Planner. We hope this helps.
Roy W.
My wife passed away in August of 2022 and she was receiving her SS benefit.
Can I apply for her SS as a surviving spouse.
I currently receive my SS, I am 76 years old.Tim
My understanding is you are entitled to the larger of the two benefits. Your current benefit or 50 percent of her benefit but not both. More than likely your current benefit is the larger. You can apply and i think they will automatically give you the larger amount. As an aside, you are entitled to a 250 dollar burial benefit check.
I am just a guy on the internet. Call social security
Sue
We’re sorry for your loss, Roy. If your surviving spouse benefit amount is greater than your own retirement benefit, we will pay you the higher benefit amount. You’ll find more information at our Survivors Planner. If you have questions about your eligibility for survivors benefits or to make an appointment, please contact your local Social Security office right away. Or you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. We hope this helps.
Michele M.
hello,
I’m a surving spouse no children and my spouse passed at 51 worked for 26 years if i get married will it affect the amount of social security?
Sue
We’re sorry for your loss, Michele. If you remarry after age 60 (age 50 if you have a disability), you may continue to be eligible for survivors benefits on your deceased spouse’s Social Security record. If your new spouse is a Social Security beneficiary, you may want to apply for spouse’s benefits on that record. If that amount is higher, you may be entitled to the higher amount, based on both records. Generally, you must be married one year before you can receive spouse’s benefits. For more information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Boris
My spouse started to collect at 63. She is 72 now. She does not have any other income.
I am 68; do not collect yet; work, and so have an income.
Am I entitled to receive a portion of my spouse Social Security Benefits?Richard
At your age, you should be able to draw off your own SSN, and still work if you choose to.
Sue
Hi, Boris. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. Under existing law, if you’re eligible for retirement and spouse’s benefits, you must apply for both benefits, and you’ll receive a combined benefit equaling the higher spouse’s amount. This requirement is called “deemed filing” because when you apply for one benefit you are “deemed” to have also applied for the other benefit. The decision on when to apply for benefits is a personal one. Since you have reached your full retirement age, there is no earnings limit. You can choose to receive benefits without any reduction due to your earnings from work. For each month you delay your benefits until age 70, you’ll increase your benefit amount by earning Delayed Retirement Credits. When you are ready to apply for Social Security, the most convenient way is to use our online application. We hope this helps.
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