When can a wife collect half of her husband's Social Security?

A wife can collect up to half of her husband's Social Security benefit (spousal benefit) as early as age 62, or if caring for a young/disabled child, but the full 50% is only available at her own Full Retirement Age (FRA); claiming earlier reduces the amount, while waiting increases it, and she receives the higher of her own or the spousal benefit. She must be married at least a year, and the husband must have already filed for his own benefits.

How does my spouse get 50% of my Social Security?

Your wife can get up to half of your Social Security benefit as a spousal benefit if she's at least 62 (or younger if caring for a child under 16/disabled), you're already collecting, you've been married at least a year, and her own benefit is less than the spousal amount; the benefit is reduced if she claims before her full retirement age, but waiting to claim (until her own Full Retirement Age, or FRA) yields the full 50% of your Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). 

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 Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) for many, meaning spouses and survivors with government pensions won't have their benefits reduced as much, if at all. Key rules remain: spouses can get up to 50% of the primary earner's benefit, can claim at 62 (with reductions), or care for a qualifying child (no reduction). Deemed filing still means applying for one benefit usually means applying for both.
 

How long does it take to be married to qualify for spousal Social Security?

Those who apply for spousal benefits must have been married for at least one year. Your spouse must also have begun receiving Social Security benefits — unless you are widowed.

Can my wife take Social Security at 62 and then switch to spousal benefit?

No, generally your wife can't claim her own reduced benefit at 62 and then switch to a higher spousal benefit later because of the "deemed filing" rule for those born after January 1954; she'll automatically receive the higher of the two available benefits (her own or spousal) when she applies, but the switch strategy (taking her own early and switching) is possible only if she's collecting a survivor benefit or if her spouse hasn't filed yet, allowing her to claim her own benefit and then switch to the spousal one later when you file. 

When Can My Spouse Collect Half Of My Social Security? - CountyOffice.org

What is the Social Security spousal benefits loophole?

The main Social Security spousal benefit loopholes (file-and-suspend & restricted application) were closed by the 2015 Bipartisan Budget Act, affecting most people, but a specific "loophole" allows a caregiver spouse to claim benefits early if caring for a disabled or young child, bypassing normal age/filing rules, though this is a legitimate SSA provision for caregivers, not a true exploit, with benefits subject to family maximums.
 

What does Suze Orman say about taking Social Security at 62?

Orman explained that you can start Social Security as soon as 62, but that you shouldn't. She said: "Don't settle for a reduced Social Security benefit. If you are in good health, the best financial move you can make is to not claim Social Security before you reach your full retirement age."

How long do I have to be married to my husband to get his Social Security when he dies?

Spouses and ex-spouses

You may be eligible if you: Are age 60 or older, or age 50–59 if you have a disability, and. Were married for at least 9 months before your spouse's death, and. Didn't remarry before age 60 (age 50 if you have a disability).

How much are spousal benefits reduced at age 62?

A spouse can choose to retire as early as age 62, but doing so may result in a benefit as little as 32.5 percent of the worker's primary insurance amount. A spousal benefit is reduced 25/36 of one percent for each month before normal retirement age, up to 36 months.

Do married couples get two Social Security checks?

Yes, married couples generally receive two separate Social Security checks, one for each spouse based on their own earnings record, or a higher spousal benefit if it's more than their own, but they don't get both amounts added together; the system pays the higher benefit, not double. Each person can collect their own retirement benefit, and if one spouse earns significantly less (or nothing), they can claim up to 50% of the higher earner's benefit, but the final payment is the greater of the two, not the combined sum. 

Why would spousal benefits be denied?

Common reasons for denial:

Your deceased spouse must have earned a certain number of credits for you to qualify for benefits. The SSA offers a handy calculator to determine the required credits. Remarriage before age 60: Remarrying before age 60 usually makes you ineligible for benefits.

What changes are coming to Social Security in 2025 for spouse?

For spouses in 2025, the biggest changes involve the Social Security Fairness Act, which removes benefit reductions (WEP/GPO) for those with government pensions, and a modest 2.5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), increasing average payments, plus the Full Retirement Age (FRA) inching up to 66 years, 10 months for some, affecting early claiming strategies for spousal benefits. Expect more stringent online identity verification and clearer COLA notices, while long-term projections suggest more women will claim on their own work record. 

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

You can lose Social Security benefits by working while collecting early, leading to earnings limits; incarceration, which suspends payments; or through garnishment for federal debts like taxes, student loans, or child support, along with other factors like remarriage or changes in disability status. 

Is it wise to take spousal social security benefits?

In some cases, it makes sense for both spouses to claim on the same spouse's earnings record. Many couples use a "split strategy," which means they begin claiming at different ages. It might be worthwhile for the higher earner to wait longer to collect.

How does a wife qualify for her husband's social security?

You can collect Social Security based on your husband's record as a spouse (up to 50% of his benefit), or as a survivor (up to 100% if you're full retirement age or older) if he passes away, provided you meet marriage duration and age/dependency rules, often needing him to be receiving benefits first (unless you're widowed). Eligibility requires being married at least a year (or divorced for 2+ years if married 10+ years), being at least 62 (or caring for a child under 16/disabled). You'll get the higher of your own benefit or the spousal/survivor benefit, and you apply online at ssa.gov/myaccount/ or by contacting the Social Security Administration (SSA).
 

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

To get around $3,000/month in Social Security, you generally need a high earning history, around $100,000-$108,000+ annually over your top 35 years, but waiting to claim until age 70 maximizes this amount, potentially reaching it with lower yearly earnings, say under $70k if you wait long enough, as benefits are based on your highest indexed earnings over 35 years. The exact amount depends heavily on your specific earnings history and the age you start collecting benefits. 

Why isn't my wife's spousal benefit 50% of my Social Security retirement benefit?

Spousal benefits can be claimed as early as age 62 (see FIGURE 2), but you'll earn more by waiting until your own full-retirement age. Claiming spousal benefits at 62 reduces the spousal benefit to only 32.5% of the higher-earning spouse's full benefit amount (instead of 50% at full-retirement age).

Can my wife collect Social Security at 62 while I wait till 65?

Although you can claim the spousal benefit as early as age 62, the amount you receive will grow if you wait until full retirement age, (which is between 66 and 67, depending on year of birth; for people born in 1960 or after it's age 67).

How long must you be married to get spousal 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 qualifying child), and your spouse must be receiving benefits (unless you're a widow/widower). The one-year rule has exceptions, like if you're the parent of the worker's child, and for divorced spouses, the requirement is a 10-year marriage. 

Do I get my husband's State Pension if he dies?

In most cases, the State Pension cannot be passed on to anyone else. But you might be able to claim some of the money or increase your own State Pension if you were: married, or.

Can I collect spousal Social Security and then switch to my own?

You generally cannot claim spousal benefits at your Full Retirement Age (FRA) and then switch to your own higher retirement benefit if you were born after January 1, 1954, due to "deemed filing" rules, which make you apply for both and get the higher amount. However, you can switch if you were born before 1954, or if you are switching from a deceased spouse's survivor benefit to your own higher retirement benefit, or if you start your own lower benefit and wait to switch to a higher spousal benefit (if applicable). 

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

Claiming Benefits Too Early

One of the biggest mistakes people make is claiming Social Security benefits as soon as they're eligible, which is at age 62. While getting money sooner can be tempting, claiming early has a significant downside: your monthly benefit will be reduced.

What is the smartest age to collect Social Security?

The "smartest" age to collect Social Security varies, but age 70 is often statistically best for maximizing lifetime benefits, as monthly checks grow significantly until then, especially for higher earners and those expecting long lives; however, claiming at Full Retirement Age (FRA) (67 for most) secures 100% of benefits, while taking it as early as 62 provides income sooner but permanently reduces payments, making it ideal for those with immediate financial needs or shorter life expectancies. 

How much money will I lose if I retire at 62 instead of 65?

If a worker begins receiving benefits before his/her normal (or full) retirement age, the worker will receive a reduced benefit. A worker can choose to retire as early as age 62, but doing so may result in a reduction of as much as 30 percent.