| If you never paid into Social Security or didn’t work long enough, you may need to rely on Social Security Spousal benefits for your retirement if your spouse is eligible. However, you can qualify for your spouse’s benefits even if you’ve qualified for your own. Depending on your situation, there are requirements you have to meet in order to qualify for spousal benefits.
When you plan to elect Social Security also factors into your spousal benefits. Luckily, Silvur, the free retirement planning app built exclusively for those over 50, calculates the best age you should elect your benefits and projects your own Retirement Score. Your Retirement Score shows you how long your money will last in retirement. With Silvur, you’ll learn how to extend your retirement income so you can make better decisions today for your retirement plans. How to Qualify for Spousal Benefits Based on Marital Status Your marital status determines how you can qualify for spousal benefits if you’re currently married, divorced or widowed.
Some retirees need to take a spousal benefit because they did not work long enough to qualify for their own Social Security retirement benefit. That may be true for people who stopped working in order to care for their children and/or elderly relatives. Alternatively, if you’ve paid into the system, you and your spouse are eligible to claim the higher benefit of the two. Silvur outlines below if you’re eligible for spousal benefit. |
Married You can qualify for spousal benefits if: Your spouse is already receiving retirement benefits, You have been married for at least one year, and You are at least 62 years old, or you are caring for a child who is under age 16 or disabled. Divorced If you are divorced, you can receive Social Security benefits based on your ex-spouse’s earnings record if: You were married for at least 10 years, You never remarried, and You are age 62 or older. It’s not necessary for you to wait for your ex-spouse to claim his or her benefits to receive yours. But, there is one more additional requirement to qualify for spousal benefits if your spouse has not claimed benefits yet; you must have been divorced for at least two years. Widower If your spouse died, you can qualify for survivor benefits if: You were married to the deceased person for at least nine months, and You are at least 60 years old (unless you are disabled or caring for the deceased person’s child, who is under age 16 or disabled). How Much to Expect from Social Security Spousal Benefits The size of your Social Security spousal benefit depends on your age, your spouse’s age, the maximum amount of your spouse’s benefit, and whether other benefits are available to you. The maximum amount you can claim is 50 percent of your spouse’s full benefit... read more |
