Social Security spousal benefits are a critical pillar for spouses of retired or disabled workers. These provide access to up to 50% of the holder’s primary insurance amount (PIA), calculated using their full retirement age. This assistance is critical for those who have not accumulated sufficient work credits to ensure financial stability in old age.
The requirements differ between current and former spouses. For the former, the worker must receive benefits, the marriage must have lasted at least one year, and the applicant must be at least 62 years old or care for a child under the age of sixteen. Divorce requires at least ten years of marriage, single status when applying, and a minimum age of 62.
Eligibility by marital status varies
Former spouses may seek benefits even if the worker has not applied for them, as long as two years have passed since the divorce. Furthermore, if the holder receives disability benefits, the spouse or former spouse may receive up to 75% of the PIA if caring for a disabled child, subject to family limits.
The base amount equals 50% of the worker’s PIA. However, if claimed before the full retirement age, the benefit is gradually reduced. The decrease is 25/36, or 1%, for each month advanced over the first 36 months. Following that period, the additional reduction is 5/12 of 1% per month.
Assuming a $2,000 PIA, the spouse receives a $1,000 base benefit. If you request it 36 months before your retirement age, you will receive a 25% reduction, leaving the payment at $750.
If the request is made 60 months in advance, the total reduction will be 35%, for a monthly payment of 650. The Social Security Administration will always pay the higher of your personal and spousal benefits.
According to official projections, the average spousal benefit will be $931 per month in January 2025, after accounting for a 2.5% COLA increase over previous years. Amounts may vary depending on claim age, spouse’s work history, and the use of optimisation strategies.
Application process and required documentation
Applications can be submitted online through the “Benefits for Spouses” section, on the SSA’s official website, by phone (1-800-772-1213), or at local SSA offices. A marriage certificate, Social Security numbers, and proof of age or child custody must be provided.
The agency recommends using calculators like Spouse’s Benefit Estimates to estimate payments before applying.
A common strategy is to delay claiming one’s own benefit until age 70 in order to take advantage of the 8% annual growth while receiving spousal benefits. In couples with unequal incomes, the lower-earning spouse can claim the benefit first and then transfer it to the spouse. If both are requested at the same time, the SSA must pay the higher amount under the “deemed filing” provision.
Spousal benefits are taxed at the federal level and, in some states, on total income. If the worker dies, the spouse may be eligible for survivor benefits equal to 100% of the PIA. It is critical to consult with a financial advisor to assess tax implications and coordinate strategies with other income.