SmartAsset and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue from links in the content below.
When you apply for Social securityyour spouse is eligible for payments known as spousal benefits. However, they do not receive these payments automatically. Instead, they must file with the Social Security Administration regardless of whether they receive their own retirement benefits or not.
A financial advisor can help you plan for Social Security benefits and create a comprehensive retirement income plan. Contact a fiduciary advisor.
For example, imagine a man receives $3,000 from him full retirement age. His wife can collect up to $1,500 in spousal benefits based on his earnings history, but she must apply for them. Here’s a closer look at how partner benefits work.
Marital benefits are a form of Social Security benefits for the spouses of beneficiaries. If you are married or previously married, you can claim benefits worth up to 50% of your spouse’s full retirement benefit. For most people, this means the benefits they would receive at age 67. These payments will not be deducted from your spouse’s payments and your spouse cannot change your eligibility to receive them.
To claim affiliate benefits, the SSA requires the following:
If both criteria are met, the secondary spouse can apply for spousal benefits. However, there are two exceptions to these rules:
-
If the spouses have been separated for more than two years, the secondary spouse can claim spousal benefits regardless of the primary spouse’s retirement status
-
If the secondary spouse is caring for a child under age 16 or receiving disability benefits through the SSA. they can apply for a partner benefit before the age of 62
You can also apply for retirement benefits based on your ex-spouse’s benefits, if that was you married for at least 10 years and you haven’t remarried. This is not affected by the marital status of the primary spouse, and in some situations you can claim benefits before the primary spouse has retired.
Whether it’s guidance on spousal benefits or advice on how and when to withdraw money from your retirement accounts financial advisor can help you plan your retirement.
Spousal benefits are limited to 50% of the higher-earning spouse’s “primary insurance amount” (PIA) – their benefit at full retirement age. For example, if you receive $3,000 per month in Social Security, your spouse could receive up to $1,500 per month in spousal benefits if he or she waits until their own full retirement age.