Q: Can a spouse collect on her husband’s social security if she reaches retirement age before her husband?
A: No. In order for a spouse to collect Social Security spousal benefits on her husband’s earnings, the following requirements must be met:
- The wife must be at least age 62
- The husband must be eligible for benefits, so he must also be at least age 62. In addition, the husband must actually apply for Social Security retirement benefits in order for his wife to collect based on his earnings.
To give you an example, if the wife is 62 and the husband is 58, the wife can start collecting benefits based on her own earnings, but she can not collect based on her husband’s earnings until he turns 62 and applies for benefits.
However, if the wife is 66 and the husband is 62, then the wife can start collecting based on her husband’s earnings (again the husband must apply for benefits before the wife can collect based on his earnings).
In both examples above, the wife can start receiving benefits based on her own earnings at age 62 (assuming she has at least 40 quarters and qualifies for benefits on her own), then switch to half of her husband’s benefit when her spouse becomes eligible for Social Security.
A couple of points to consider before applying for Social Security spousal benefits:
If a wife applies for spousal benefits based on her husband’s earnings when she reaches full retirement age (age 66 for people retiring now), then she will receive 50% of her spouse’s primary insurance amount (PIA). However, if she applies at age 62, her benefit will only be 35% of his PIA.
It does not benefit the spouse to apply after her full retirement age, as spousal benefits do not include delayed credits. In addition, it doesn’t help the wife if the husband delays applying for benefits because she will not receive any increase in benefits that he receives by waiting to apply.
If a spouse reaches full retirement age and is eligible for a spousal benefit or her own benefit, she may claim the spousal benefit now and delay taking her own benefit so she can build up delayed credits on her own benefit.
You can collect Social Security spousal benefits based on an ex-spouse’s earnings as long as you were married for at least 10 years and you are currently unmarried. If you have more than one ex-spouse that you qualify for spousal benefits, you will receive the highest benefit you qualify for. One advantage that divorced spouses have over married spouses is that a divorced spouse does not have to wait for a former husband to apply for benefits as long as the couple has been divorced for at least two years when she applies.
Finally, the Social Security retirement system is gender neutral, so while this article has assumed that the wife is the one applying for Social Security spousal benefits, if the wife earns more than the husband, the husband can apply for spousal benefits based on his wife’s earnings.
[Note: The budget deal passed in November 2015 eliminated the file and suspend and restricted application strategies. For more information, please read Budget Deal Eliminates File and Suspend Social Security Filing Strategy.]
You may also like:
How to Apply For Social Security Retirement Benefits
Common Social Security Retirement Questions
Social Security Eligibility: How to Qualify for Social Security Retirement Benefits
Do Not Underestimate Social Security When Planning For Retirement
No Increase In Social Security Benefits for Retirees Next Year
Lantenna H says
I am unclear about drawing benefits for an ex-spouses earnings. I was married for 16 years and then divorced my first ex-husband. Three years later, I remarried and then divorced my 2nd husband after 7 years.
Is it correct, that when I reach age 62 I can draw social security benefits based on my first ex-husband’s earnings if I am unmarried at the time I apply for benefits?
kristine says
Lantenna – yes, you are correct. Since you were married to your first husband for more than 10 years, then as long as you are unmarried when you apply for benefits, you can apply for Social Security retirement benefits based on your ex-husband’s earnings when you reach age 62.
Note that you will receive the higher of your own benefits or half of the benefits based on your ex-husband’s earnings, not both. Note also that your benefits will be reduced if you apply at age 62 instead of waiting until you reach full retirement age; also if you are still working, you are limited in how much you can earn while collecting benefits before you reach your full retirement age.
I recommend you read Getting the Maximum Social Security Benefits before applying for benefits.
Lantenna H says
Can I schedule an appointment at a local Social Security Office on line?
kristine says
Lantenna – thank you for your question. Currently you can not schedule an appointment online. To schedule, re-schedule or cancel an appointment you can call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, or you can contact your local Social Security office.
However, you no longer need an appointment to file for benefits. You can file for retirement, disability or Medicare benefits online now by visiting https://www.socialsecurity.gov/
If you have started an application online, then you have the ability to schedule an appointment online if the information you provided does not match the information that Social Security has. Hopefully the ability to schedule online appointments for everyone will be available soon.
Melva says
If the husband is 4 years older than the spouse and has reached retirement age but decides to continue working and not take his social security, can the wife apply for spousal benefits? Husband is 67 and wife is 63. They are divorced. What does she do? What information does she need to have in order to apply for spousal benefits? If she cannot find his social security number what can she do?
kristine says
Melva, thank you for your question. Just to clarify you are asking about a divorced couple. An ex-wife can apply for benefits based on her ex-husbands earnings if the couple was married for at least 10 years, and they have been divorced for at least 2 years. Unlike with married couples, when you are applying for divorced spouse benefits the ex-husband does not have to actually be collecting Social Security, he just has to be eligible for benefits (i.e., he must be 62 years or older). Also, the ex-wife can apply for benefits as early as age 62, however, her benefits will be reduced for every month that she collects benefits before she reaches her full retirement age (66 for people born between 1943-1954).
When the ex-wife applies for benefits, Social Security will calculate her benefits based on her own record first, then the spousal benefit will be calculated. She will receive the higher of her own benefit or half of her ex-husbands benefit (based on his primary insurance amount). If you are divorced and don’t know your ex-spouse’s social security number, you can refer to your old tax returns (when you were married) to find that information. If you don’t have the tax returns, contact the IRS for a copy.
Finally, you can apply for benefits online at ssa.gov, by visiting your local Social Security office, or by calling 1-800-772-1213.
Ingrid says
I have applied to receive social security benefits early next year when I turn 66 based on
my own earnings. I am planning to switch to a spousal benefit when my husband reaches
66 (2 years later) and he files and suspends. (He plans to collect at age 70.) Is this strategy
valid?
Dianna says
I was married for over 20 years to same man–now my ex.–but not deceased. I have not remarried. I am 66 years of age. He is now 65 years of age. I had to retire, on disability as a teacher, due to 6 knee and leg surgeries, plus 5 other surgeries during a short period of time. I believe my retirement was Spring of 2005.
I need to know if there are any other benefits that I qualify for. I tried to return to work 2 or 3 times, but could only make it 3 or 4 days per month–so Disability was awarded to me after about 6 weeks.
My ex-husband has retired, but I do not know if he has applied for his Social Security or not.
I would like to know if I now qualify for the spousal percentage of his benefits. Actually, as I have read in a S.S. booklet titled–WHAT EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW–it seems as though I could have applied sooner, after the cut-off age 62.
Please inform me about my rights to his life time contributions into S.S. and how those benefits are figured and what is an amount I can receive.
kristine says
Dianna – You qualify for spousal benefits since you were married for more than 10 years and are not currently remarried.
In general, the spousal benefit is 50% of your ex-husband’s primary insurance amount (the amount he would collect at his full retirement age). If that benefit is higher than the disability benefit you are currently receiving then you can switch to the higher spousal benefit. If your disability benefit is higher, then you would keep your current benefit.
You could have applied for spousal benefits at age 62 but they would have been reduced for every month that you collected benefits before your full retirement age.
At this point I recommend that you contact Social Security directly (this is an information site only, this is not the official Social Security site). You can contact SSA by calling 1-800-772-1213, or you can visit https://ssa.gov/pgm/reach.htm for more options.
Jimmy says
How do I maximize my benefits and how and when can I apply? I am 58 yrs of age.
kristine says
The earliest you can apply for Social Security retirement benefits is age 62. To learn how to maximize your benefits, please read https://incomeretirementcoach.com/maximum-social-security-benefits/. Thank you.
Wallace says
I’m 81 and have been receiving Social Security benefits since 65. My wife is 74 and also receives a SS benefit, drawn on my SS account. It is about 1/3 of my benefit. My question : In the event of my death, will my wife’s SS benefit be adjusted ? If so, how will it be affected ? Thanks.
kristine says
Wallace – thank you for the question. Yes, your wife’s benefit should increase if you pre-decease her. In general, upon your passing your will receive 100 percent of your Social Security benefit. However, if you collected benefits before you reached full retirement age, her benefit will be based on the reduced amount you are receiving.
kristine says
Ingrid – Yes, assuming that the spousal benefit (generally half of your husband’s benefit) is larger than your own benefit, then this is a valid strategy. Thank you for the question.
William says
My wife died 9-4-12. I have a 17 year old son who is planning to go to college. Are there any benefits we are entitled to?
kristine says
William: I am sorry for your loss. Your son may qualify for benefits, but only until he reaches age 18. Depending on your age, you may qualify for survivor benefits. I would contact Social Security directly (this is an informational site only, it is not the official Social Security site). You can call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 or you can email them from the following page: https://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/app/ask_feedback
Aunita says
I would like to applyfor my ex-husband social security retirement benfits.I was married for 13 years.I have been devoice for 25 years.I am on Social Security disability right now.I am not married.I am 62 years and he will be 62 years this Mouth his benefits would be higher he work for 32 years.Can I apply for benefits on his work records.
kristine says
Aunita – Yes, since you were married for 10 years and you have not remarried you can apply for benefits based on your ex-spouse’s record once he turns 62. Social Security will compare the benefit you are currently receiving to the spousal benefit you are entitled to (half of your ex-husband’s primary insurance amount reduced for every month you receive before you reach full retirement age) and will give you the higher of the two (note that you can’t collect both). However, you might not want to apply for the spousal benefit right away if you can live on the disability benefit you are currently receiving. The spousal benefit will be reduced because you are under the full retirement age; if you wait until you reach full retirement age it will be higher. I don’t know your situation, but just wanted to let you know the spousal benefit will continue to grow if you don’t apply for it right away.
Victor says
my wife die on december 30 of 2012 she work for 25 years iam the housband iam 45 I ws wandering if I can receive benefits from her we have 3 kids 12 year old boy 19 year old doughrer
and 20 year old son.
kristine says
Victor, I am sorry to hear about your wife passing. You may be able to receive benefits for your 12 year old son and possibly your 19-year old daughter. For children to be eligible for survivor benefits, they must be unmarried and under age 18. If the child is a full-time student (high school), they can receive benefits as long as they are age 19 or younger. A disabled child can receive benefits no matter what their age if they became disabled before they reach age 22. The best thing to do at this point is to contact Social Security directly to apply for benefits. You can do so by visiting https://ssa.gov/survivorplan/howtoapply.htm.
Neal S says
I am 75 and my wife of 52 years is 73. My wife started her own SS benifits at 63. Can my wife change to the spousal benefit in lieu of her own without affecting my own benefit ?
George M says
I was wondering if i was entiled to any of my wife benefits.I collect more in benefits then she did
kristine says
George – Spouses are entitled to their own benefit or half of their spouses (100% if they are deceased). You can NOT collect both benefits. Therefore if your benefit is higher than your wife’s you can not collect any of her benefits.
kristine says
Neal – Spousal benefits do not affect your own benefit. If the spousal benefit (half of your benefit) is higher than your wife’s benefit on her own record, then yes, she can switch to the spousal benefit and it will not have any effect on the benefit you are receiving.
Paula says
My spouse is 65 and is drawing Social security. I am 62 and want to wait to draw social security. I want to continue to work. Can I apply for spousal benefits until I apply for my own?
kristine says
Paula – Thank you for the question. I’m glad you’re thinking about how to maximize your Social Security, but there are a couple of flaws with your strategy.
First, if you apply for benefits before your full retirement age (66 for people born between 1943-1954), Social Security will award you the highest benefit you are entitled to. So if your own benefit at 62 is higher than 50% of your spouse’s benefit, then the SSA will start paying you your own benefit. Unfortunately, you aren’t allowed to apply for spousal benefits only (also called a Restricted Application) before your full retirement age. Once you turn 66, you can do that, but not before then.
The second problem is that before your full retirement age you are limited in how much you can earn if you are collecting Social Security benefits. In 2014 if you earn more than $15,480, you will have to repay $1 for every $2 you earned over the limit.
Your strategy would work great if you were already at your full retirement age, but unfortunately, neither strategy works at age 62. I hope this helps!
Sally says
I am age 63 and my husband is 67. I do not have enough units to collect any social security myself. My husband does not intend to retire for another year. If I collect spousal benefits does that effect his benefits at all when he retires and does my spousal benefit stop when he does retire.
kristine says
Hi Sally. Your husband needs to be collecting benefits before you can apply for spousal benefits. If he is not yet collecting Social Security, he can file and suspend his benefits. This will allow you to apply for spousal benefits on his earnings record. Spousal benefits do not affect the worker’s benefit. Also, you do not have to stop collecting spousal benefits when your husband retires, you can collect spousal benefits as long as you are married (and even if you divorce, so long as you were married for at least 10 years). I hope this helps, thank you for your question.
Sally says
He has applied and suspended his benefits. If he were to pass away would I still be able to get 100% of his benefits and quit mine.
Sally says
My husband says he applied but did not take Medicare but he doesn’t think that applies to social security. How exactly does he apply for and suspend Social Security.
Steve says
My wife will be applying for social security spousal benefits at age 66 in order to receive the maximum amount(50%) of my PIA. Can she sign up prior to her 66th birthday or must she wait until 30 days after her birthdate.
kristine says
Steve – Thank you for the question. Your wife should apply for benefits 3-months before she wants to receive them. So if she wants to start receiving benefits at age 66, she should apply three months before her birthday.