How long do you have to be married to collect your spouse's Social Security?

To collect your spouse's Social Security, you generally must have been married for at least one continuous year, be age 62 or older (or caring for a young/disabled child), and your spouse must be receiving benefits; however, for divorced spouses, the marriage must have lasted 10 years, and for survivors, it's usually nine months, with exceptions for accidental death or military service.

What is the 10 year marriage rule for Social Security?

The Social Security "10-year marriage rule" allows a divorced spouse to collect benefits on an ex-spouse's Social Security record if the marriage lasted at least 10 years, the divorced spouse is at least 62 and unmarried, and their own benefit is less than what they'd get from the ex-spouse's record, all while the ex-spouse is entitled to retirement benefits. This rule ensures access to retirement security, even if the ex-spouse remarries, as benefits are based on the original marriage duration and the ex-spouse's earnings, not the new marriage. 

Can a divorced woman collect her ex-husband's Social Security?

Yes, a divorced wife can get her ex-husband's Social Security benefits if the marriage lasted at least 10 years, she is unmarried, and she is age 62 or older (or caring for his child). She can receive up to 50% of his benefit amount, but she must wait until she is at her own full retirement age (FRA) for the full spousal amount, or she can take her own lower benefit first. Crucially, her benefit doesn't reduce his or his current spouse's, and divorce decree clauses giving up this right are invalid. 

Does a widow get 100% of her husband's Social Security?

Yes, you can get up to 100% of your deceased husband's Social Security benefit, but it depends on your age and when you apply; you'll receive 100% if you've reached your full retirement age (FRA), while younger widows (age 60+) receive a reduced amount (71.5% to 99%) unless caring for a young child, and children get 75%. The exact amount hinges on your age and if your husband claimed benefits early, with the goal being the highest possible benefit for you. 

How long do I have to be married to my husband to draw his Social Security?

To collect your spouse's Social Security, you generally must have been married for at least one continuous year, be at least 62 (or caring for a qualifying child), and your spouse must already be receiving benefits (with some exceptions for widowers/widows). If you are a divorced spouse, you must have been married for at least 10 years and be unmarried when you apply for benefits. 

How Long Do I Have To Be Married For My Spouse To Get Social Security Spousal Benefits?

What is the 7 7 7 rule in marriage?

The 777 rule for marriage is a relationship guideline that encourages couples to prioritize their bond through consistent, intentional quality time: a date night every 7 days, a weekend getaway every 7 weeks, and a longer romantic vacation every 7 months, helping to maintain connection, reduce stress, and reignite romance by breaking routines and focusing solely on each other.
 

Can I collect my deceased spouse's Social Security and my own at the same time?

No, you can't collect both your own Social Security retirement benefit and your deceased spouse's benefit as separate payments; the Social Security Administration (SSA) pays you the higher of the two amounts, but you can strategically claim them to maximize your total lifetime benefit, often by collecting your own benefit first and then switching to the survivor benefit, or vice versa, depending on your ages and the benefit amounts. 

What is the Social Security spousal benefits loophole?

The "Social Security spousal benefits loophole" referred to strategies like "file and suspend" and "deemed filing," which allowed couples to maximize benefits by having one spouse claim a spousal benefit (up to 50% of the primary earner's) while the higher earner's own benefit grew by suspending theirs, but this loophole was largely closed by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 for most new applicants, forcing simultaneous applications and ending the ability to collect spousal benefits while one's own benefit increased significantly, though a caregiver loophole for disabled children still exists. 

What percentage of a husband's Social Security does a wife get?

A wife can receive up to 50% of her husband's full Social Security benefit if she claims at her own full retirement age (FRA), but this amount is reduced if she claims earlier (as early as age 62) and increases if she delays past her FRA, with the highest amount being half the husband's full benefit, notes AARP and Motley Fool. The benefit is based on the husband's earnings record, and she receives the higher of her own earned benefit or the spousal benefit, not both combined, says the Social Security Administration. 

Can I prevent my ex-wife from getting my Social Security?

You generally cannot stop your ex-wife from collecting Social Security spousal benefits on your record, as these are federal benefits not controlled by divorce decrees, but you should know: it doesn't reduce your benefit or your current spouse's benefit, and you can claim a higher spousal benefit yourself if you qualify. Divorce agreements cannot legally prevent a qualified ex-spouse from claiming these benefits, and the Social Security Administration (SSA) makes the final decision, not the court. 

Can I collect spousal benefits and wait until I am 70 to collect my own Social Security?

No, generally you cannot collect spousal benefits and simultaneously delay your own Social Security to age 70; due to "deemed filing" rules (for those born on or after Jan 2, 1954), applying for one means you're deemed to apply for the other, preventing you from collecting a spousal benefit while letting your own grow, unless you're applying for survivor benefits on a deceased spouse's record, notes the Social Security Administration and AARP. 

How long must you be married to get benefits?

To qualify for spousal benefits: Your spouse must already be collecting their own benefit. You must have been married to your spouse for at least one year. You must be at least 62 years of age.

Can I get my ex husband's Social Security if he remarried?

What if my ex-spouse remarries? Even if your ex-spouse remarries, you are still eligible for a spousal or survivor benefit. Social Security will pay benefits to your ex- spouse, their current spouse and you, and no one's benefit will be reduced. I remarried.

What are the three ways you can lose your Social Security?

You can lose Social Security benefits by working and earning too much before full retirement age, leading to temporary reductions; by being incarcerated, which suspends payments; and through garnishment for federal debts like unpaid taxes, child support, or student loans, or by losing eligibility for spousal/survivor benefits if you remarry, according to Money Talks News and Nasdaq. 

Why do you have to wait 30 days after marriage to change Social Security?

They should wait at least 30 days after the date of the marriage to request a replacement card with a name change. This allows the state time to update its records. They will need to have their marriage certificate and proof of identification available when using our online application.

How much do you have to make to get $3,000 a month in Social Security?

To get around $3,000 a month in Social Security, you generally need high lifetime earnings, often requiring over $100,000 annually for your 35 highest-earning, inflation-adjusted years, and claiming benefits at your full retirement age (FRA) or waiting until age 70 for the maximum, though some high earners claim earlier for slightly less. The Social Security Administration (SSA) calculates benefits based on your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME) from your top 35 years, so consistently earning above the wage base cap helps significantly. 

What is one of the biggest mistakes people make regarding Social Security?

One of the biggest mistakes people make with Social Security is claiming benefits too early (at age 62) without understanding the permanent reduction, which significantly lowers their monthly income for life, instead of waiting until their Full Retirement Age (FRA) or even age 70, where benefits grow substantially. Many also fail to consider how their decision impacts spousal or survivor benefits, missing out on thousands of dollars in potential lifetime income. 

What is the new law for Social Security spousal benefits?

The biggest recent change for spousal benefits is the Social Security Fairness Act (SSFA) of 2023, effective January 2024, which eliminates the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), meaning government pensions won't reduce spouses' or surviving spouses' Social Security benefits anymore. Other rules still apply, like the "deemed filing" rule (claiming one benefit means you claim the other), and the fact that divorced spouses can get benefits if married 10+ years. Key strategies involve maximizing benefits by delaying claims and coordinating filing times.
 

Can a surviving spouse collect a deceased spouse's Social Security?

Yes, if your spouse dies, you can get their Social Security as a survivor benefit, potentially receiving up to 100% of their amount if you're at full retirement age (FRA) for survivors (around 66-67), or reduced benefits as early as age 60 (or 50 if disabled). You'll get the higher of your own benefit or their survivor benefit, not both, and must apply with proof of death, marriage, SSNs, and income. 

What not to do after your spouse dies?

When your spouse dies, don't rush major decisions (like selling the house), don't immediately distribute assets or promise heirlooms, don't tell utility companies too soon, and don't sign anything financial without understanding it, as grief clouds judgment and legal complexities arise; instead, take time to grieve and consult professionals like estate lawyers for financial and legal steps.
 

Can I take my husband's Social Security instead of mine?

Yes, you can take a spousal Social Security benefit on your husband's record instead of (or in addition to, up to) your own, but you generally get the higher of the two amounts, not both in full; you must be 62 (or caring for a young child), and your husband must be receiving his benefit. You can receive up to 50% of his full retirement amount, but it's reduced if you claim before your own full retirement age (FRA), and you can't "switch" from a spousal benefit to your own larger one after 2015. 

What is the 2 2 2 2 rule in marriage?

The 2-2-2 rule for marriage is a relationship guideline suggesting couples prioritize dedicated time together: a date night every two weeks, a weekend getaway every two months, and a week-long vacation every two years, helping to maintain connection, break routine, and foster intimacy amidst daily life. This intentional scheduling helps couples stay connected, create shared memories, and keep the romance alive by consistently investing in their partnership, though it can be adapted to fit busy schedules, like having staycations or at-home dates.
 

What is the 3 3 3 rule for marriage?

The 3x3 rule in marriage is a relationship strategy where each partner gets 3 hours of alone time per week and dedicates 3 hours of quality time with their spouse, often divided into smaller segments, to foster balance, connection, and prevent burnout, especially for parents. It's a framework for ensuring personal rejuvenation and dedicated couple time, preventing relationship ruts by making intentional space for "me time" and "us time," boosting emotional safety, and improving communication. 

What are the four golden rules of marriage?

Follow the four golden rules – don't lie, keep your promises, argue productively and always play nice – and your relationship will never go anywhere but forward.