Social Security Spousal & Ex-Spousal Benefits
For individuals nearing retirement, the social security system can seem complex, especially when it comes to understanding the rules regarding spousal benefit eligibility. This article will detail how individuals qualify for spousal benefits and explain when to take them versus individual benefits.
If you have not read What to Look For on Your Social Security Benefit Statement, you may want to start there. It provides an overview of how Social Security retirement benefits are calculated.
What are spousal or ex-spousal benefits?
Spousal benefits provide retirement income to the spouse who earned less or did not work. Ex-spousal benefits allow individuals previously married for at least ten years to qualify based on their former spouse’s record. Neither requires the claimant to have paid into Social Security themselves.
Eligibility for Spousal Benefits
You qualify for spousal benefits if you meet all of the following:
You are 62 or older.
You are currently married and have been for at least 12 months.
Your spouse has filed for Social Security retirement benefits.
Eligibility for Ex-Spousal Benefits
You qualify for ex-spousal benefits if you meet all of the following:
You are 62 or older.
You are divorced and were married for at least 10 years.
Your ex-spouse is 62 or older. (It does not matter if your ex has filed for benefits.)
How Benefits Are Calculated
Your spousal or ex-spousal benefit equals half of your spouse’s or ex-spouse’s full retirement age benefit. Filing before full retirement age results in a permanent reduction.
Filing Before Full Retirement Age
Filing before full retirement age reduces both individual and spousal benefits. If your spousal benefit is higher than your own, you will receive the higher amount for life, adjusted for any early filing reductions.
Earnings Limits
If you collect spousal benefits before full retirement age and earn more than Social Security’s limit, your benefit may be reduced. Learn more on the Social Security website: While Working and Collecting Benefits.
Planning Considerations
Compare your own benefit to the spousal benefit and choose the higher.
Delaying your claim can increase lifetime benefits.
Be aware of early filing reductions and earnings limits.
Next Steps / Additional Resources
For more on Social Security planning, explore our YouTube Page:
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