Do You Qualify for Spousal Social Security Benefits? 3 Things to Know Before Applying

The Motley Fool ^ | Jan 12, 2025 | Adam Levy

[where's_the_Outrage?]

Key Points

Claiming age impacts your spousal benefits, but the rules are different than those for personal retirement benefits.

You must work with your spouse to come up with a smart claiming strategy for the household.

Some divorced spouses can still receive spousal benefits based on their ex-partner's earnings record.

A lot of time is spent discussing rules and strategies about claiming Social Security to ensure you make the most of the program's benefits. But one feature of the program that might not get enough attention is spousal benefits.

Spousal benefits can be a lifeline for seniors who established a single-income household. Spouses who shortened their careers and stayed home to raise kids and manage a household can still receive a nice-sized monthly check thanks to spousal benefits.

1. How your claiming age impacts your benefit

Just like when applying for personal retirement benefits from Social Security, when you claim spousal benefits can have a big impact on the size of your monthly check.

First, it's important to note the maximum spousal benefit is equal to half your spouse's primary insurance amount. That's the amount your spouse will receive if they claim at their full retirement age......

2. How your spouse's claiming strategy impacts your spousal benefits

One key detail about spousal benefits is that in order to be eligible, your spouse must also actively collect benefits. It used to be possible for a spouse to apply for benefits and then suspend their application, but in most cases, the Social Security Administration now requires a person to actively receive benefits when someone else is claiming benefits based on that person's earnings record.....

3. You can receive spousal benefits even if you divorce

The requirements for spousal benefits extend to divorced spouses as well.

[where's_the_Outrage?]

As my wife is much younger than me and has never contributed to SS, I'm interested in when I can get her signed up. What is really important her is that if she claims at 62 she gets 32.5% of my SS Benefit, but if she waits to age 67 it goes to 50%.

Looks like it's best to wait until she turns 67, unless I expire 1st. Now I stared claiming my SS benefits at 62, and have no regrets, glad I did.

[Fester Chugabrew]

I was going through the same question a few weeks ago with my spouse, so this is helpful. She is 61 and a homemaker.

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

Bkmrk

[redfreedom]

It’s been a while since we did this, but I think this is what we did. My wife applied for SS benefits on my account while hers grew to the max amount. Then she applied for her own. I believe she wound up getting something like $300 more per month by doing this.

[Excellence]

If you are divorced make sure you have a certified copy of the divorce final judgement and a certified copy of the marriage certificate to submit.

[lizma2]

Bkmk

[sauropod]

Bkmk

[EQAndyBuzz]

I’m 64 and my wife is 62. Now, all my feeds are advertising that I need to sign up for Medicare. I’m still working full-time and my wife owns a business.

Does anyone have an idea about this? I would love to hear different opinions.

[brooklin]

You will need to sign up for Medicare. Call your SS office for all the correct information. They really are very helpful. I was surprised.

[trebb]

We both worked and both receive SS benefits - my checks are bigger, so, if I go first, her lower amount will be replaced with my higher amount.

[awelliott]

You need to sign up for Medicare Part A, which is of no cost to you. Part B, which has a monthly premium can wait until after 65, or longer if you’re still employed and receiving health insurance via your employer...

[HereInTheHeartland]

Not if you are still covered by employer health insurance .
But get an experts opinion

[No.6]

Yes, you may defer if you have insurance provided by an employer who covers 30 or more employees.

IOW self-employed and small businesses are hated. (And probably some time ago dingbats gamed the system with fake shell companies leading to this dumb rule)

I’ve also learned COBRA plans and any retirement option where you can still buy the company insurance as if employed don’t count either.

[1FreeAmerican]

IIRC when you turn 65 you must sign up Medicare Part A, and if working with health benefits then you have to prove you have employer health coverage so as to not be required to have Part B.

[Faith65]

thanks
bkmk

[SuperLuminal]

Ditto