If you’re married now or have ever been married, it’s worth considering whether spousal Social Security benefits should be part of your retirement plan.
When a worker files for Social Security retirement benefits, their spouse may also be eligible for benefits based on the worker’s earnings.
Here’s how that works:
— The worker’s spouse must be at least 62 years old or be caring for a qualifying child. To qualify, the child must be below age 16 or entitled to receive Social Security disability benefits.
— According to the Social Security Administration, “the spousal benefit can be as much as half of the worker’s primary insurance amount, depending on the spouse’s age at retirement.” For example, if you want to claim a benefit from your spouse’s earnings, and they begin taking benefits before full retirement age, which is 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later, you will receive a reduced benefit.
— If a spouse is caring for a qualifying child, the spousal benefit is not reduced.
— If you’re eligible for a retirement benefit based on your earnings, and if that benefit is higher than the spousal benefit, the Social Security Administration will pay your retirement benefit. Otherwise, it pays the spousal benefit.
— If you choose to receive spousal benefits before you reach full retirement age, your benefits will be permanently reduced.
“When applying for spousal Social Security benefits, it is important to gather the necessary documentation, such as marriage certificates and Social Security numbers,” said Marcus Miller, chief financial planner at Mainstay Capital in Jacksonville, Florida, in an email.
You will need to provide proof of your relationship to the working spouse and meet the eligibility requirements, including being married for at least one year, Miller said.
He advises contacting the Social Security Administration to schedule an appointment or apply online. It will review your application and determine your eligibility for spousal benefits.
[READ: How Much You Will Get From Social Security.]
What to Understand Before Claiming a Spousal Social Security Benefit
To claim a spousal benefit, you must first understand the overall process for claiming Social Security. For example, a worker can apply for Social Security benefits up to three months before turning 62.
A cost-benefit analysis before applying for Social Security is key to ensuring that you understand the guidelines that may impact benefits, said Nicole Birkett-Brunkhorst, senior wealth planner at U.S. Bank Private Wealth Management in Clayton, Missouri, in an email.
“That includes, but is not limited to, claiming benefits prior to full retirement age, earnings limitations and federal and, if applicable, state income taxes,” she said.
For married couples, deciding when to claim Social Security retirement benefits is a more involved decision.
“Spousal benefits are payable to the spouse of a retired worker and are generally up to 50% of the worker’s primary insurance amount when the spouse reaches full retirement age,” Birkett-Brunkhorst said. “A spouse may be eligible for these benefits as early as age 62, or younger if they meet certain requirements.”
How Much to Expect for Spousal Social Security Benefits
If you start receiving payments at full retirement age or older, your spousal benefit will be half of your spouse’s primary insurance benefit.
Your full retirement age depends on your birth year. Age 70 is the latest you can wait to take Social Security, so here’s how to determine your full benefit age for people born in 1954 or later: For example, say you’re married and your spouse begins taking a benefit of $3,000 per month at their full retirement age. Because your benefit is 50% of your spouse’s benefit, your amount will be $1,500 if you start Social Security payments at your full retirement age.
[READ: How Raising the Retirement Age Could Help or Hurt Seniors]
When to Claim Social Security Spousal Payments
If you start collecting spousal benefits before reaching full retirement age, your benefit will be permanently reduced. Waiting until full retirement age allows you to receive your full spousal benefit, which is up to half the amount your spouse is eligible for.
“To claim Social Security spousal payments, the individual you are entitled to collect a spousal benefit from must also be receiving Social Security benefits,” Birkett-Brunkhorst said.
If your spouse has not applied for retirement benefits yet, she added, your initial benefit would be based on your earnings history if you earned the 40 credits to qualify for retirement benefits.
“Once your spouse files for their benefit, you can switch to the spousal benefit,” Birkett-Brunkhorst said.
If you qualify for your own retirement benefit as well as from your spouse’s work history, Social Security will calculate a combination of the two benefits that equals the higher amount you qualify for, she noted.
If you’re the higher-earning worker in a couple, the spousal Social Security benefit won’t decrease the amount you receive; it’s in addition to your own benefit.
Divorce and Social Security Spousal Benefits
If you’re divorced, you may be eligible to receive a Social Security benefit based on your former spouse’s earnings.
There are a few points to understand before claiming a divorced spouse benefit, said Aviva Pinto, managing director of New York-based Wealthspire Advisors, in an email.
“If you did not work or worked but earned much less than your ex and were married for at least 10 years before divorcing, have not remarried and are at least 62 years of age, you can get up to a maximum of 50% of your ex-spouse’s Social Security benefits without impacting their payments,” Pinto said.
If your ex-spouse is not yet taking Social Security benefits after you reach the age of 62 years and you have been divorced for at least two years, you can receive benefits, Pinto added.
If your ex-spouse is taking benefits and you are already 62 years old, you can claim benefits immediately.
“If you are already receiving Social Security benefits, you can also claim your ex-spouse’s benefits and you will receive whichever is higher,” Pinto said.
In addition, if your former spouse dies, you could get the same benefits as a surviving spouse, provided that the marriage lasted 10 years or more, according to the Social Security Administration.
[READ: Frequently Asked Social Security Benefit Questions.]
What Happens to Social Security Spousal Payments if a Spouse Dies
If your spouse dies, you may be eligible for Social Security survivor benefits. If the deceased spouse had a higher benefit, the surviving spouse has the option of receiving the higher benefit in place of their own.
To qualify, you must have been married to the deceased spouse for at least nine months, with some exceptions, and be at least 60 years old or 50 if you’re disabled.
“The survivor benefit amount is based on the deceased spouse’s earnings record and can be up to 100% of their benefit,” Miller said.
“It’s important to notify the Social Security Administration of your spouse’s passing and provide the necessary documentation, such as a death certificate,” he added.
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How to Maximize Social Security With Spousal Benefits originally appeared on usnews.com
Update 03/28/24: This story was published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information.
