Essential Insights on Social Security Spousal Benefits for Retirement

Social Security spousal benefits can enhance retirement income. Data from the Social Security Administration, as of March 2025, indicates that the average spouse of a retired worker receives about $947 per month. However, eligibility varies, and several factors influence the benefit amount.

Understanding Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for spousal Social Security benefits, you typically need to be at least 62 years old. If you are caring for a spouse’s child who is under 16 or qualifies for disability benefits, you may qualify at any age. Additionally, your spouse must qualify for retirement or disability benefits, and you need to wait until they file for Social Security before applying for your spousal benefits.

If you meet these criteria, the maximum benefit can be 50% of your spouse’s benefit at their full retirement age. To receive that full amount, you must delay your application until your own full retirement age, which ranges from 66 to 67 based on your birth year.

Benefits After Divorce

While married spouses are most commonly eligible for spousal benefits, divorced individuals may also qualify. Your marriage must have lasted for at least 10 years, and you cannot be currently married. If divorced for less than two years, you’ll need to wait until your ex-spouse begins to take Social Security.

It’s important to note that getting married or divorced after receiving Social Security can impact your benefits. For instance, if you currently collect spousal benefits and divorce after nine years, you will lose those benefits and not qualify for divorce benefits due to the marriage’s duration.

Conversely, should you remarry and your new spouse’s earnings are lower than your ex-spouse’s, your spousal benefit will be capped by your current spouse’s benefits, which could result in a lower total benefit.

Impact of Your Own Retirement Benefits

You may receive spousal or divorce benefits regardless of your eligibility for retirement benefits based on your own work record. However, your own retirement benefits can influence how much you collect from Social Security.

If your retirement benefit exceeds the amount you would receive from spousal or divorce benefits, you will be disqualified from the latter. If it is lower, Social Security will pay your retirement benefit first, then supplement it with any eligible spousal or divorce benefits. For example, if you qualify for $1,000 per month in retirement benefits and your spouse’s benefit is $3,000, you would receive $1,500 in spousal benefits, totaling $1,500 per month.

Understanding how spousal benefits can increase your income significantly is crucial. By familiarizing yourself with the details of this Social Security program before applying, you can maximize your monthly payments.

The $22,924 Social Security Bonus Most Retirees Miss

Many Americans find themselves behind on retirement savings. However, exploring certain “Social Security secrets” might provide opportunities to boost retirement income significantly.

One simple strategy could yield up to $22,924 more annually, potentially allowing for a more secure retirement. Understanding how to optimize Social Security benefits is key to achieving financial peace in retirement.

The views expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Nasdaq, Inc.