Understanding Social Security’s Spousal Benefits: A Guide for Couples

While Social Security is primarily recognized for providing income to retirees based on their past earnings, it also offers spousal benefits that can significantly aid married or divorced partners. These benefits can enable spouses to receive retirement income based on just one partner’s work history.

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What are Social Security Spousal Benefits?

The spousal benefit provided by Social Security offers essential retirement income to couples if one spouse has been the main earner. This situation frequently arises when one spouse has taken on the role of a stay-at-home parent, but it can also benefit couples where one partner earned much less or didn’t work enough years to qualify for their own benefits.

Typically, the spousal benefit amounts to half of the higher-earning spouse’s primary insurance amount, which is the benefit they’d receive at full retirement age. Eligible spouses can begin receiving benefits as early as age 62, though early claiming results in reduced monthly payouts.

How to Qualify for Spousal Benefits

To obtain a spousal benefit, you must meet these requirements:

• You must be at least 62 years old or provide care for a child under 16 or with a disability.
• Your spouse must be receiving Social Security benefits, whether from retirement or disability.
• You either lack enough Social Security credits for your own benefit, or your personal benefit would be less than half of your spouse’s.

Notably, even if you are divorced, you can still claim spousal benefits based on your ex-spouse’s work history, provided your marriage lasted at least 10 years. The Social Security Administration will review your work record upon application. You will receive either your personal benefit or the higher spousal benefit, whichever is greater.

How to Estimate Your Spousal Benefit

If you know your spouse’s benefit at their full retirement age, simply divide that amount by two to approximate your potential spousal benefit.

The most accurate method for estimating your future benefits is by both you and your spouse creating “my Social Security” accounts at www.ssa.gov. After your spouse logs in to view their benefit estimate, you can access your account and go to the “Retirement Calculator” section to choose one of these options:

• Calculate a Benefit as a Spouse if you do not qualify for any Social Security benefits on your own.
• Compare with Benefit as a Spouse if you can receive your own benefits and want to see which benefit is higher.

This process allows you to obtain estimated benefits for starting at full retirement age and at any other eligible age, providing clear insights into your financial planning.

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