Social Security spousal benefits aim to enhance retirement income, especially for couples where one spouse has been the main money earner. Nearly 2 million people in the U.S. receive these benefits, and while meeting the eligibility criteria isn’t overly complicated, there are specific conditions that must be satisfied.

Condition 1: You are married to someone eligible for Social Security

To put it simply, spousal benefits exist to support couples where one spouse has been the primary income provider. The first requirement is straightforward: at least one partner in the marriage must qualify for Social Security retirement benefits based on their work history in jobs covered by Social Security.

Condition 2: You are at least 62 years of age

Similar to Social Security retirement benefits, you typically need to be 62 or older to claim spousal benefits. The full retirement age aligns with that of retirement benefits, which is 67 for individuals born in 1960 or later. Claiming spousal benefits before reaching full retirement age will result in a decrease in the benefit amount.

It’s also important to know that unlike traditional retirement benefits, spousal benefits do not increase if you delay collection past your full retirement age. So, one helpful tip: If someone intends to claim a spousal benefit based on your record, it’s usually not beneficial to wait beyond their full retirement age to claim your benefits.

Condition 3: Your spouse must be receiving a Social Security benefit

This brings us to the third requirement: To qualify for a spousal benefit, the higher-earning spouse must be currently receiving their Social Security retirement benefits. This was not always the case, but recent legislative changes have closed some previous loopholes.

Condition 4: Your individual Social Security benefit is lower than the spousal benefit

Lastly, it’s crucial to recognize that a spousal benefit can be claimed instead of a benefit based on your own work history. When you apply for Social Security, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will calculate the amount you’re entitled to based on your own earnings and the amount based on your spouse’s contributions, and you will receive the larger of the two amounts.

I’ve seen this firsthand recently as both of my parents are navigating their Social Security applications. My mother stayed home to raise me and my two younger siblings but began working part-time in her 30s. Interestingly, the spousal benefit turned out to be greater than her individual benefit, although the difference was not as substantial as my parents had anticipated. The Social Security benefit system tends to favor those with lower lifetime earnings, so married couples with significant income differences can be surprised to discover that the highest benefits are often linked to their own work history.

What can you expect to receive from a spousal benefit?

A spousal benefit can be up to half of the primary earner’s primary insurance amount (PIA), which is what they would receive if they started benefits at full retirement age. Currently, approximately 1.9 million people receive a spousal benefit, with the average monthly benefit being around $912.

To get an accurate estimate of what you may receive, it would be beneficial for both you and your spouse to examine your most recent Social Security statements. You can easily do this by creating an account at SSA.gov, where you will find a wealth of information, including benefit estimates based on your actual work history.

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