When can my wife get half my Social Security?

Your wife can start collecting spousal Social Security benefits as early as age 62, or sooner if she's caring for your child under 16 or with a disability, but she must wait until you file for your own benefits; the full spousal benefit (up to 50% of yours) is only available at her Full Retirement Age (FRA), otherwise, it's reduced. Claiming early (age 62) gives her money sooner but permanently lowers the monthly payment, so waiting for her FRA or even age 70 (to maximize her own benefit if higher) offers more income.

When can my spouse collect half of my Social Security?

Your spouse can collect a spousal Social Security benefit, potentially up to half of your full retirement amount, as early as age 62, but the payment increases if they wait until their own full retirement age (FRA); they must be married to you for at least a year, and you must already be collecting retirement benefits or disability, or they must be caring for a child under 16 or disabled. The spousal benefit isn't reduced if they're caring for a qualifying child, but it is reduced if claimed early without a qualifying child, with the maximum 50% paid at their FRA. 

Can your spouse get half of your Social Security if you get divorced?

Yes, an ex-wife can receive up to 50% of her ex-husband's Social Security benefit, not half, if she meets specific criteria, including being unmarried, age 62+, the marriage lasting at least 10 years, and the divorce being at least two years old. The amount is based on the ex-husband's Full Retirement Age (FRA) benefit, and she receives her own higher benefit if it's larger, with no impact on his or his current spouse's benefits. 

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.
 

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

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

The spousal benefit can be as much as half of the worker's "primary insurance amount," depending on the spouse's age at retirement. If the spouse begins receiving benefits before "normal (or full) retirement age," the spouse will receive a reduced benefit.

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."

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. 

What qualifies you for spousal Social Security benefits?

To be eligible for Social Security spousal benefits, you must generally be at least 62 (or younger if caring for a child under 16 or disabled), married at least one year (or divorced after 10+ years), and your spouse must be collecting retirement or disability benefits; you'll receive the higher of your own or the spousal benefit, which can be up to 50% of your spouse's primary amount, reduced if claimed before full retirement age unless caring for a child.
 

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. 

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

This is good news when former spouses are not on good terms. Your ex cannot “block” you from drawing your spousal benefit. In fact, he probably won't even know if you are drawing off him unless he calls SSA to ask.

Is it better to retire before or after a divorce?

There's no single "better" time to divorce; it depends on individual finances, but divorcing before retirement often offers more time to rebuild, while divorcing after can mean dividing larger shared assets, though with potentially devastating impacts on the lower-earning spouse's standard of living and retirement readiness. Before retirement, you can recover financially from asset division; after, women, especially, face significant risks to their wealth and ability to work. Key factors are your post-divorce income, asset pool (pensions, 401ks), Social Security eligibility, and career stability. 

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). 

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.

How much Social Security does a divorced spouse get?

A divorced spouse can receive up to 50% of their ex-spouse's full retirement benefit, provided the marriage lasted at least 10 years, the ex-spouse is entitled to retirement/disability benefits, and the former spouse is unmarried and at least 62 (or caring for the ex's child). Benefits are paid on the ex's record if it's higher than their own, starting as low as 32.5% at age 62 and increasing to 50% at full retirement age (FRA), with no impact on the ex-spouse's benefit amount. 

When your spouse dies, do you get their Social Security and your own?

No, you generally cannot receive both your own Social Security benefit and your deceased spouse's benefit; instead, you'll get the higher of the two amounts, often the survivor benefit (which can be up to 100% of their benefit) if it's greater than your own retirement benefit. You can switch between your own retirement and survivor benefits if it becomes more advantageous later, such as waiting until age 70 for your own benefit to maximize it, notes the Social Security Administration. 

When can my wife start collecting half of my Social Security?

Your wife can start collecting spousal Social Security benefits as early as age 62, or sooner if she's caring for your child under 16 or with a disability, but she must wait until you file for your own benefits; the full spousal benefit (up to 50% of yours) is only available at her Full Retirement Age (FRA), otherwise, it's reduced. Claiming early (age 62) gives her money sooner but permanently lowers the monthly payment, so waiting for her FRA or even age 70 (to maximize her own benefit if higher) offers more income. 

What is the 1/3 rule in alimony?

Also considered a fair formula is the “1/3, 1/3, 1/3” formula, where you add both spouse's income, divide by three, and then subtract the lower income from that amount. If the amount is greater than zero, that is the amount of alimony that should be paid.

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 is the best Social Security strategy for married couples?

Social Security tips for couples

• A couple with similar incomes and ages and long life expectancies may want to consider maximizing lifetime benefits by both delaying their claim.
• For couples with big differences in earnings, consider claiming the spousal benefit, which may be better than claiming your own.

What is the maximum spousal benefit amount?

The maximum spousal benefit is 50% of the amount that the spouse is eligible to receive at full retirement age. Survivors may receive up to 100% of the deceased spouse's Social Security benefit.

What happens if you take Social Security at 62 and still work?

If you take Social Security at 62 and still work, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will temporarily reduce your benefits if your earnings exceed annual limits, but these withheld amounts are added back later, increasing your monthly payment once you reach your Full Retirement Age (FRA), which is 67 for those born in 1960 or later. After you reach FRA, your earnings no longer affect your benefits at all, and working longer can further boost future payments. 

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. 

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.