Social Security Spousal Benefits

Updated October 2026 · 2026 figures from the Social Security Administration and IRS

Below: who qualifies, how much by age, examples, rules for divorced spouses, and the most common myths.

Who qualifies for spousal benefits

• You're at least 62, or any age if you care for the worker's child who is under 16 or disabled.
• Your spouse has filed for their own retirement or disability benefits.
• You've been married at least one year (exceptions apply, such as being the parent of the worker's child).
• Your spousal amount is higher than your own retirement benefit.

How much Social Security spousal benefits pay by age

Reduction: 25/36 of 1% for each of the first 36 months before your full retirement age and 5/12 of 1% for each extra month (SSA spouse benefit rules). There are no delayed credits for spousal benefits, so waiting past full retirement age doesn't raise them. The base is the worker's full benefit (PIA), even if the worker claimed early or late.

Example: own benefit plus a "top-up"

Linda's own full benefit is $900. Her husband's full benefit is $2,400, so half is $1,200. At her full retirement age, Linda gets her $900 plus a $300 spousal top-up, for $1,200 in total. If she claims at 62, both parts are reduced: about $630 + about $195 (the $300 top-up reduced by 35%) = roughly $825.

Since 2015 law changes, anyone born after January 1, 1954 is "deemed" to apply for both benefits at once — you can no longer take only the spousal benefit and let your own grow.

Divorced spouse benefits

• The marriage lasted at least 10 years, and you're currently unmarried.
• You're 62 or older; your ex-spouse is 62 or older.
• If you've been divorced for at least two years, you can claim even if your ex hasn't filed yet.
• Your claim doesn't reduce what your ex or their current spouse receives, and your ex isn't notified.

Five myths about spousal benefits

1. "I get 50% on top of my own benefit." No — you get the higher amount, not both added together.
2. "My spouse should wait to 70 to raise my spousal benefit." Delayed credits don't raise spousal benefits. They do raise the survivor benefit, which can matter more.
3. "Claiming reduces my spouse's check." It doesn't, unless total family benefits exceed the family maximum (usually only with children).
4. "My government pension wipes it out." Not anymore: the Government Pension Offset was repealed by the Social Security Fairness Act in January 2025.
5. "I can't work while getting spousal benefits." You can, but before full retirement age the earnings limit applies to your own earnings.

When your spouse dies

Spousal benefits switch to survivor benefits, which can be up to 100% of what your spouse was receiving instead of 50%. SSA usually converts them automatically once it's told about the death. See Social Security survivor benefits.

How to apply

Apply online at ssa.gov with the retirement application (it covers spouse benefits), by phone at 1-800-772-1213 or by appointment. Have your marriage certificate (and divorce decree if divorced) and your spouse's Social Security number. Step by step: how to apply for Social Security.

Frequently asked questions