How Spousal Social Security Benefits Work: Rules, Examples, and Smart Claiming Strategies
If you’re married (or were married for at least 10 years), you may be eligible for spousal Social Security benefits—but the rules are more nuanced than most people realize.
In this article, we’ll break down:
What spousal Social Security benefits are
Who qualifies and when
How claiming age affects the benefit
A real-life example showing how the rules play out
Common mistakes to avoid
Whether you’re nearing retirement or already collecting benefits, understanding spousal benefits can make a meaningful difference in your lifetime income.
What Is a Spousal Social Security Benefit?
A spousal Social Security benefit allows one spouse to receive up to 50% of the other spouse’s full retirement benefit, also known as their Primary Insurance Amount (PIA).
This benefit is especially valuable when:
One spouse earned significantly less over their lifetime
One spouse spent time out of the workforce caring for family
One spouse has little or no Social Security benefit of their own
In the worst-case scenario, a married spouse may still be eligible to receive at least half of their spouse’s benefit at full retirement age—assuming all requirements are met.
Basic Eligibility Rules for Spousal Benefits
To qualify for a spousal Social Security benefit, the following must be true:
You must be married (or qualify under common-law marriage rules, depending on the state)
You must be at least age 62
Your spouse must be actively collecting Social Security (or receiving Social Security disability)
Your own Social Security benefit must be less than the spousal benefit you’d receive
Important: The old “file and suspend” strategy no longer exists. Your spouse must actually be receiving benefits for you to claim a spousal benefit.
How Claiming Age Affects Spousal Benefits
To receive the full 50% spousal benefit, the spouse claiming it must wait until their own full retirement age (FRA).
Claiming as early as age 62 results in a permanently reduced spousal benefit
Unlike your own Social Security benefit, spousal benefits do not earn delayed retirement credits after full retirement age
This means there is no increase for waiting past FRA when claiming a spousal benefit.
Real-Life Example: Don and Judy
Let’s look at how these rules work in practice.
Judy began collecting her own Social Security benefit at age 64
Judy’s monthly benefit: $1,200
Don is still working and plans to delay claiming
Don’s full retirement benefit at age 67: $3,100
If Judy had waited until her full retirement age, she could be eligible for 50% of Don’s benefit, or $1,550 per month.
However, because Judy claimed early, her potential spousal benefit is reduced to 37.5% of Don’s full benefit, which equals $1,162 per month.
Since Judy is already receiving more from her own benefit ($1,200) than she would from the spousal benefit, she is not eligible for a spousal boost.
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Why Timing Between Spouses Matters
Another critical rule: a spousal benefit cannot be paid until the higher-earning spouse starts collecting their own benefit.
If Don waits until:
Age 67: Judy could become eligible for a spousal benefit (if it exceeds her own)
Age 70: Judy would receive no spousal benefit at all until Don begins collecting
This creates an important planning tradeoff:
Delaying the higher earner’s benefit can maximize the survivor benefit
But it may delay or eliminate spousal benefits for the lower earner
In Don and Judy’s case, delaying Don’s benefit may still make sense if the goal is to leave Judy the highest possible survivor benefit.
How Spousal Benefits Compare to Survivor Benefits
It’s important not to confuse spousal benefits with survivor benefits:
Spousal benefits are based on the higher earner’s full retirement benefit
Survivor benefits allow the surviving spouse to step into the actual benefit the deceased spouse was receiving
If Don delays until age 70, Judy could eventually receive his maximum benefit as a survivor.
For many couples, maximizing the survivor benefit is a key part of Social Security planning.
Other Important Spousal Benefit Rules
Only one spouse can claim a spousal benefit
Spouses cannot claim spousal benefits off each other simultaneously
Spousal benefits generally end if the marriage ends
If you were married 10 years or longer, you may qualify for divorced spousal benefits
Same-sex couples are fully eligible for spousal and survivor benefits
Working While Collecting a Spousal Benefit
If you collect a spousal benefit before full retirement age and continue working, earnings limits apply:
Under full retirement age: Earn up to $23,400 (current limit)
Benefits reduced by $1 for every $2 earned above the limit
In the year you reach FRA: Higher earnings limit of $62,160
If your earnings exceed the limit, it may make sense to delay claiming benefits altogether.
How to Apply for a Spousal Social Security Benefit
You can apply for spousal benefits in one of three ways:
Online at ssa.gov
By phone at 1-800-772-1213
In person at your local Social Security office (appointment recommended)
You may be asked to provide:
Birth certificate or proof of birth
Proof of citizenship
Marriage certificate
Divorce decree (if applicable)
Recent W-2s or tax returns
Final Thoughts: Get the Strategy Right
Spousal Social Security benefits can add thousands of dollars in lifetime income—but only if the timing and strategy are right.
Claiming too early, misunderstanding eligibility rules, or failing to coordinate benefits between spouses can permanently reduce what you receive.
If you’re unsure how spousal benefits fit into your broader retirement plan, professional guidance can help you avoid costly mistakes.
Want Help Planning Your Social Security Strategy?
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Have a great week, and we’ll talk again next Tuesday.
Written by Ryan Morrissey
Founder & CEO of Morrissey Wealth Management
Host of the Retire with Ryan Podcast