Social Security benefits are essential for many people when they retire. However, there are a lot of rules and guidelines that can make understanding how these benefits work confusing, especially when it comes to spousal benefits. Many married couples or even divorced couples might not fully understand how they can maximize their Social Security benefits. If you’re planning for retirement or just starting to think about it, it’s important to learn how these benefits work for spouses. Let’s take a closer look at four things all couples need to know about Social Security spousal benefits in 2025.
Spouses Can Collect Social Security Benefits Based on Their Partner’s Work History
One of the key things married couples need to understand is that a spouse can collect Social Security benefits based on the work history of their retired partner. This means that even if one spouse hasn’t worked or paid into Social Security enough to earn their own retirement benefits, they can still receive benefits based on their spouse’s earnings.
Requirements for Spousal Social Security Benefits:
- The couple must have been married for at least one year.
- The spouse claiming benefits must be at least 62 years old.
- The retired partner must already be receiving Social Security retirement benefits.
In certain cases, the spouse may be eligible to collect benefits on both their own work history and their partner’s. In this situation, they will receive the larger of the two benefit amounts.
Maximizing Benefits by Claiming at Full Retirement Age
To get the maximum benefit from Social Security spousal benefits, it is important to claim them at the right age. Full retirement age (FRA) is the age at which a person is eligible for their full Social Security benefit. For those born in 1960 or later, FRA is 67.
If the spouse claims benefits at FRA, they will receive 50% of their partner’s Social Security benefit. However, if they claim the benefits earlier, the amount they receive will be less. For example, if a spouse claims benefits at age 62, they will only receive about 32.5% of their partner’s benefit. The exact amount will depend on how early the spouse begins collecting.
Here’s a breakdown of the spousal benefit percentage based on age:
- Age 62: 32.5%
- Age 63: 35%
- Age 64: 37.5%
- Age 65: 41.7%
- Age 66: 45.8%
- Age 67: 50%
It’s important to remember that spouses don’t receive delayed retirement credits. Unlike workers who can increase their Social Security benefits by waiting beyond FRA, spouses should claim at FRA to get the full 50%.
Divorced Spouses Can Still Claim Benefits on Their Ex-Spouse’s Record
Did you know that divorced individuals can still claim Social Security benefits based on their ex-spouse’s earnings? This rule can be a game-changer for divorced spouses who may not have worked enough to qualify for their own benefits.
For a divorced spouse to claim benefits based on their ex-partner’s work record, the following conditions must be met:
- The divorced spouse is at least 62 years old.
- The marriage lasted at least 10 years.
- The divorced spouse has not remarried.
- The divorce has been final for at least 2 years.
A common misconception is that if a person claims benefits on their ex-partner’s record, it will affect the ex-spouse’s benefits. This is not true. The ex-spouse’s benefits remain unchanged, and they will not be notified if their former spouse begins collecting these benefits.
Spouses Cannot Collect Both Benefits Simultaneously
In some cases, a spouse may be eligible for two types of Social Security benefits: their own benefits based on their work history and spousal benefits based on their partner’s earnings. However, there are rules about when and how a spouse can claim both types of benefits.
Spouses cannot delay their own benefits while collecting spousal benefits at the same time. The Social Security Administration has rules called “deemed filing” that require spouses to file for both benefits when they apply for Social Security. This rule ensures that they will receive the higher of the two benefit amounts.
It’s important to note that deemed filing rules do not apply to survivor benefits. If a spouse is widowed, they can still collect a survivor’s benefit while delaying their own retirement benefits to earn delayed retirement credits.
Understanding Social Security spousal benefits can be complicated, but it’s essential for married and divorced couples who want to maximize their retirement income. By knowing when to file for benefits, how to claim based on a partner’s work record, and understanding the rules around claiming benefits, couples can avoid mistakes that could cost them money in retirement.
In 2025, the key takeaway is that spouses can receive Social Security benefits based on their partner’s earnings, even if they haven’t worked themselves. The earlier they claim, the smaller their benefit will be, so it’s essential to wait until full retirement age to maximize benefits. Additionally, divorced spouses should not forget that they can still claim benefits on their ex’s record, and it won’t affect the ex-spouse’s payout. By understanding these details, couples can plan their retirement benefits wisely and enjoy a more financially secure future.
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