Even if you don’t work in a job that allows you to contribute to Social Security, you may be able to receive benefits from your spouse’s record. This is also true if you are divorced or widowed.
How to Collect Spousal Social Security Benefits
Withdrawing benefits from your spouse’s account does not affect the amount your spouse receives. More importantly, if you were married for at least 10 years and then divorced, the same rule applies. If you collect Social Security benefits from your ex-spouse, they will not know you are doing so. All that is needed are records of your marital status and your Social Security numbers if the system does not have the required data.
If you wait until you reach full retirement age, you can receive half of your spouse’s full retirement benefit. The amount is less for each year before that. You can collect benefits through your spouse’s health care program upon reaching age 65.
Note: Assume that your full retirement age is 66. If you start receiving your retirement benefits at age 62, the monthly percentage of your spouse’s Social Security benefit is reduced until you reach full retirement age.
- At age 62, you will receive 35% of your spouse’s full benefit.
- At age 63, you will receive 37.5% of your spouse’s full benefit.
- At age 64, you will receive 42% of your spouse’s full benefit.
- At age 65, you will receive 46% of your spouse’s full benefit.
- At age 66, you will receive 50% of your spouse’s full benefit.
Do You Qualify for Your Own Social Security Benefits?
If you have worked and earned your own Social Security credits during your lifetime, you can combine your own benefits with your spouse’s benefits. If your spouse’s benefits are higher than yours, your benefits will be increased to the higher amount.
Note: Couples can plan when to apply for Social Security so that they can receive the maximum benefits as a couple.
If you wait until you reach full retirement age, you can suspend your own benefits until age 70 and collect your spouse’s benefits. Your benefits continue to increase each year until age 70.
What if You Are Divorced?
If you were married to the same spouse for 10 years or more and worked enough to qualify for Social Security, you can receive benefits on your ex-spouse’s record. This is true even if they have remarried.
If you remarry, you will not be eligible for benefits from the first spouse – unless the new marriage ends and you are divorced for at least two years. If your spouse dies and you remarry after age 60, you can still receive survivor benefits.
What if You Are Widowed?
A widow receives survivor benefits from Social Security. The rules are similar to those for spousal benefits, but payments can begin at age 60. Again, checks are smaller if you start collecting them before full retirement age.
If you are divorced and widowed, the rules are similar. If you remarry before age 60, you will not be able to receive survivor benefits unless you divorce again. If you remarry after age 60, you can receive survivor benefits. These benefits are complex. It’s best to discuss them with a Social Security representative.
How to Apply
When you or your spouse or ex-spouse apply for benefits, the system must capture your eligibility for benefits as a spouse. If your spouse or ex-spouse has reached full retirement age and has not applied, you can begin collecting benefits on their record.
If
You are still working or receiving a pension from a job, the amount you can receive is reduced. There are limits on the total amount you can collect.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many months in advance should you apply for Social Security benefits?
You can apply up to four months before you start receiving Social Security benefits. There is no downside to applying early, so you may want to apply as soon as possible within this four-month period.
What is the percentage of Social Security benefits that a widow receives?
A widow is entitled to 100% of the deceased spouse’s Social Security benefits as long as she waits until retirement age to start receiving payments. Widows may be able to start collecting Social Security benefits earlier, but they may not receive the full amount.
How can I find out my Social Security benefit amount?
You can find out your benefit amount online. Just log in or create an account with the Social Security Administration, then check your “Social Security Statement.”
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Sources:
Social Security Administration. “Benefits for Spouses”
Social Security Administration. “Full Retirement Age”
Social Security Administration. “Benefits for Your Spouse”
Social Security Administration. “What Recent Changes in Applications Mean for Me?”
Fidelity. “Social Security Tips for Spouses”
Social Security Administration. “If You Are Divorced”
Social Security Administration. “Widows in Waiting? (Re)marriage and Economic Incentives in Social Security Widow Benefits”
Source: https://www.thebalancemoney.com/can-i-get-spousal-social-security-benefits-2894598
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