Here's How to Tell if You Qualify for Spousal Social Security Benefits

Around 69 million Americans receive a monthly Social Security check, according to 2025 data from the Social Security Administration, and these benefits are integral in helping millions of older adults make ends meet in retirement.

While retirement benefits are the most common type of Social Security, spouses (and divorced spouses) can also sometimes qualify for monthly payments. Here's how to tell whether you're eligible and how much you could receive.

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Spousal and divorce benefits: eligibility requirements

The primary requirement to receive spousal benefits is to be currently married to someone who is entitled to either retirement or disability Social Security.

In general, you'll need to be at least 62 years old to begin claiming these benefits. There's an exception to that rule, however, if you're caring for a child on your spouse's record who is either disabled or under age 16. In this case, you can file for spousal benefits at any age once your spouse is eligible for Social Security.

Divorce benefits have similar requirements, except you cannot currently be married, and your previous marriage must have lasted for at least 10 years. If you've been divorced for less than two years, you'll also need to wait to file until your ex-spouse begins taking benefits.

How much can you receive?

With both of these types of benefits, the maximum you can receive is 50% of the amount your spouse or ex-spouse will collect at their full retirement age. If your own retirement benefit is larger than that, it will disqualify you from spousal or divorce benefits. If it's smaller, you'll only receive the higher of the two amounts -- not both.

For instance, say that your spouse is entitled to $3,000 per month at their full retirement age, making your max spousal benefit $1,500 per month. If you were earning, say, $1,000 in retirement benefits based on your own work history, you'll collect your benefit plus an additional $500 per month in spousal benefits so that your total payment is $1,500 per month.

Keep in mind, too, that you'll generally need to wait until your own full retirement age to collect the full 50% spousal or divorce benefit you're entitled to. If you file early, you'll receive a reduced amount. Also, unlike retirement benefits, delaying claiming past your full retirement age won't earn you larger payments.

What happens to your benefits if your spouse passes away?

If your spouse passes away, you could potentially collect survivors benefits based on their work history.

Survivors benefits are a little different in some ways from spousal and divorce benefits. For one, you could receive your spouse's entire benefit amount after they pass. Also, while widow(er)s are most commonly eligible for survivors benefits, they're sometimes available to other family members, too -- such as divorced spouses, children, and financially dependent parents.

There is a limit as to how much can be paid out in survivors benefits, however. The family maximum is the highest amount that can be paid out in benefits to family members from one person's work record, and it's typically between 150% and 180% of the deceased person's full benefit amount. Once the maximum is met, family members collecting survivors benefits will receive smaller payments to stay within the limit.

Social Security benefits for family members can come in many forms, from spousal and divorce benefits to survivors benefits. They can potentially boost your income by hundreds of dollars per month, so it's wise to take full advantage of them if you qualify.

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