Which wife gets Social Security benefits?

The wife who gets Social Security is usually the one whose own benefit (from her work record) is higher, or if lower, she gets a spousal benefit (up to 50% of her husband's) or widow's benefit (up to 100% of deceased husband's) if it's more than her own, ensuring she receives the highest possible amount from the available options, not both, but a combined total if dually entitled. Divorced wives married 10+ years and widows can also claim benefits on an ex-spouse's record under specific conditions.

Does a second wife get her husband's Social Security?

Yes, a second wife can get Social Security benefits from her husband's record, either as a current spouse (if married at least a year, he's collecting, and she's 62+) or as a widow (if married 9+ months at death, or longer if divorced), but remarriage before age 60 can end survivor benefits unless the new marriage ends, though she can still get spousal benefits from the new husband if eligible, notes ElderLawAnswers, Finivi, and Social Security Administration (SSA). If the husband dies, both the current second wife and a prior ex-wife (if qualified) can potentially receive survivor benefits on his record, as they don't reduce each other's payments, say Reddit users. 

Who gets my Social Security, my wife or ex-wife?

Divorced spouses are entitled to the greater of their own benefit or the ex-spouse's benefit. The maximum ex-spousal benefit is up to 50% of the higher earner's benefit and capped at their full retirement age (FRA) amount, also known as the Primary Insurance Amount or PIA.

Do both husband and wife get Social Security?

Yes, both a husband and wife can receive Social Security, either from their own work records or through spousal benefits, with the Social Security Administration (SSA) paying the higher amount if they qualify for both, ensuring they get the most money possible, typically up to 50% of the higher earner's benefit. A working spouse gets their own earned benefit, while a non-working or lower-earning spouse can claim up to half the other's benefit, usually starting at age 62, or caring for a young child, with benefits increasing if they wait until their Full Retirement Age (FRA).
 

Do stay at home wives get Social Security?

Yes, housewives (or homemakers) can receive Social Security benefits through spousal benefits based on their working spouse's earnings record, even with little or no work history of their own, typically up to 50% of the spouse's primary benefit amount, though it's reduced if claimed before full retirement age. They must be married at least one continuous year (or have a qualifying child) and generally must be at least 62, but they can't receive more than their own potential benefit, and if the working spouse dies, they can switch to a potentially higher widow's benefit.
 

Social Security: Spousal Benefits 101

Can my wife get SS if she never worked?

Yes, your wife can get Social Security benefits even if she never worked, through spousal benefits, which can be up to 50% of your full retirement amount if she waits until her full retirement age (FRA), provided you're collecting your own benefits and you've been married for at least a year; if she's eligible for her own benefit, she gets the higher of the two. 

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.

What happens when both spouses collect Social Security and one dies?

When one spouse dies, the surviving spouse stops receiving their own benefit (or spousal benefit) and switches to the higher of the two benefits (their own or the deceased's survivor benefit), not both, though they must apply to get the increased amount, which can be 100% of the deceased's if they've reached their Full Retirement Age (FRA). This switch often results in a higher payment if the deceased earned more, but requires strategic timing to maximize the survivor's lifetime income. 

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.

How much does a married couple get from Social Security?

The average Social Security income for a married couple is around $2,800 to $2,900 per month, combining one worker's benefit with a spousal benefit, though figures vary with recent data showing about $2,000 for a single retired worker and around $950 for a spousal benefit, with the total varying based on each spouse's earnings and claiming age. You receive the higher of your own or your spouse's benefit, not both combined, but for a couple, the total is typically one full benefit plus a spousal benefit (up to half of the first) or two individual benefits if both worked significantly. 

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

Yes, a divorced woman can often collect Social Security benefits on an ex-husband's record if the marriage lasted at least 10 years, she's unmarried, and she's at least 62 (or caring for his child), receiving up to 50% of his benefit, which doesn't reduce his or his current spouse's payment. Eligibility rules are gender-neutral and apply even if the ex remarried or hasn't applied yet, but claiming early (before full retirement age) results in reduced 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 I find out if my ex-wife is drawing on my Social Security?

Yes, you can find out if your ex-spouse is collecting Social Security (SS) benefits on your record by contacting the Social Security Administration (SSA), which will confirm if they're receiving auxiliary benefits, the amount, and start/end dates, but won't give their address or full payment details; you can also use the SSA's online tools to estimate potential benefits for a divorced spouse, says AARP and other sources. 

Does Social Security go to the first wife?

Yes, a first wife can get Social Security benefits on her ex-husband's record (or vice versa) if the marriage lasted at least 10 years, she's currently unmarried, and she's at least 62, even if he remarries, with the benefit often being up to 50% of his amount, provided it's more than she'd get on her own record and her ex is eligible for benefits. These benefits don't reduce the ex-spouse's or current spouse's payments and are paid by the Social Security Administration (SSA). 

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

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. 

What is the 5 year remarry rule?

Waits 5 years from the date of obtaining status to file the petition; Establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the prior marriage was not entered into with the purpose of evading immigration laws; or. Establishes that the prior marriage ended through death.

How much Social Security does a divorced wife get?

An ex-wife can get up to 50% of her ex-spouse's full Social Security benefit if she claims at her full retirement age (FRA), or as little as 32.5% if claimed at age 62, but she gets the higher of her own benefit or the ex-spousal benefit, and the ex-spouse won't be notified. To qualify, the marriage must have lasted at least 10 years, she must be unmarried (unless caring for a qualifying child), and the ex-spouse must be receiving benefits. 

Can two wives collect Social Security from one husband if they?

Yes, multiple wives (current and/or ex-spouses) can collect Social Security survivor benefits from one deceased husband's record, as long as they meet specific eligibility rules (like marriage duration and age) and don't affect each other's payments, with each receiving up to 100% of his benefit, though total family benefits have a cap. 

Can my ex-wife take my Social Security if I remarry?

Yes, your ex-wife can get your Social Security benefits even if you remarry, as long as she meets eligibility rules (married 10+ years, unmarried, age 62+) and your benefit is higher than her own, because divorced spouse benefits are based on your record, not your new spouse's. Remarriage typically ends these benefits, but exceptions exist, and she can still claim survivor benefits on your record if you pass away, even if you're remarried (if she's 60+, or 50+ if disabled). 

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 if you've reached your own Full Retirement Age (FRA) for survivors (age 67 for most); otherwise, you'll get a reduced amount (starting around 71.5% at age 60) or a full benefit if caring for a young child, with the exact amount depending on your age, his earnings, and when he claimed. 

What not to do when your spouse dies?

When your spouse dies, don't make major decisions quickly, don't rush to distribute assets or cancel vital services, and don't ignore your own emotional needs, as grief impairs judgment; instead, focus on immediate practicalities like securing documents and getting legal advice, while delaying big choices about selling property, changing jobs, or closing accounts until you've had time to process and consult professionals.
 

Do you get Social Security if you never worked?

Yes, you can get Social Security benefits without working through programs like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (for low-income aged, blind, or disabled) or by collecting spousal or survivor benefits on a family member's work record, but you generally need 10 years (40 credits) of work to get your own retirement or disability (SSDI) benefits. SSI is needs-based and doesn't require work credits, while spousal/survivor benefits rely on a qualifying spouse's earnings history. 

Does the first wife get the ex-husband's Social Security?

Yes, a first wife can often get Social Security benefits on an ex-husband's record if the marriage lasted at least 10 years, she's unmarried, and the ex is eligible for benefits, potentially receiving up to 50% of his full benefit, even if he remarries, without affecting his or his new spouse's benefits. The key is that the benefit amount is based on the ex-husband's earnings record at his full retirement age (FRA), and the ex-wife gets the higher of her own benefit or the ex-spousal benefit. 

What is the maximum spousal benefit?

3 The maximum spousal benefit is 50% of your spouse's FRA benefit if you claim at your FRA. 3 If you receive a spousal benefit before you reach FRA, it will be reduced and will not increase when you reach FRA.

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.