Can I Take My Social Security and Then Switch to Spousal Benefit?

Social Security provides financial security for millions of Americans. It delivers income to retired workers, individuals with disabilities, and families of deceased workers. The program aims to replace a portion of pre-retirement income based on an individual’s lifetime earnings. While important for retirement planning, it is generally not intended as the sole source of income.

Types of Social Security Benefits

The Social Security system offers various types of benefits, with retirement and spousal benefits being two primary categories. Retirement benefits are based on an individual’s own earnings record, accumulated through years of working and paying Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes. The amount an individual receives is calculated using their average indexed monthly earnings (AIME) over their 35 highest-earning years, which determines their primary insurance amount (PIA).

Spousal benefits are derivative benefits paid to an eligible spouse based on their partner’s earnings record. These benefits provide financial support to spouses who may have had lower lifetime earnings or took time out of the workforce for caregiving. A spousal benefit can be up to 50% of the primary earner’s full retirement age (FRA) benefit.

Eligibility for Spousal Benefits

To qualify for spousal Social Security benefits, specific criteria must be met. For current spouses, the marriage must have lasted for at least one continuous year. The spouse applying for benefits must be at least 62 years old, or younger if caring for a child under age 16 or a child with a disability entitled to benefits on the worker’s record.

The primary earner, whose record the benefits are based upon, must be receiving their own retirement or disability benefits for the spouse to claim. Different rules apply for divorced spouses. The marriage must have lasted for at least 10 years, and the individual must be unmarried.

Divorced spouses require a two-year waiting period after the divorce if the ex-spouse has not started collecting benefits. The divorced spouse must be at least 62 years old, and their ex-spouse must be eligible for Social Security retirement or disability benefits, even if not yet collecting them.

If an individual is eligible for both their own retirement and a spousal benefit, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will pay the higher amount. The spousal benefit is capped at 50% of the primary earner’s full retirement age benefit. Claiming spousal benefits before your own full retirement age results in a permanent reduction.

Claiming Your Own Benefit and Spousal Benefits Concurrently

Claiming your own Social Security benefit and then transitioning to a spousal benefit is governed by the “deemed filing” rule. This rule states that if an individual applies for any Social Security benefit, including their own retirement benefit, they are “deemed” to have applied for all other eligible benefits, such as spousal benefits. This applies if filing before or at full retirement age.

Under deemed filing, the SSA automatically pays the higher of the two benefit amounts, whether it is the individual’s own retirement or the spousal benefit. This means an individual cannot claim a smaller personal retirement benefit and then switch to a larger spousal benefit if subject to deemed filing. This rule prevents individuals from manipulating the system to receive maximum benefits from both categories.

An exception to the deemed filing rule exists for individuals born on or before January 1, 1954. This group may file a “restricted application” at their full retirement age. A restricted application allows them to claim only spousal benefits, letting their own retirement benefit continue to grow with delayed retirement credits until age 70. This strategy permits a form of “switching” for those who qualify, maximizing lifetime benefits.

For those born after the January 1, 1954, cutoff, deemed filing applies. If they apply for their own benefit, they are automatically considered for any spousal benefits and will receive the higher of the two. This prevents collecting spousal benefits while their own benefit accrues delayed retirement credits. Claiming age significantly affects the benefit amount; filing before full retirement age results in a reduced benefit, and delaying beyond FRA increases it.

Application Process for Spousal Benefits

Applying for Social Security spousal benefits involves a straightforward process, though gathering necessary documentation beforehand can streamline the experience. Individuals have several convenient options for submitting their application. They can apply online through the Social Security Administration’s website, by calling the SSA’s national toll-free number, or by visiting a local Social Security office in person.

When applying, certain documents are typically required to verify eligibility. These commonly include the applicant’s birth certificate or other proof of birth, a marriage certificate, and the spouse’s Social Security number. If applying as a divorced spouse, a final divorce decree is also necessary.

Additional documents such as proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status, U.S. military discharge papers if applicable, and W-2 forms or self-employment tax returns from the previous year may also be requested. It is generally advisable to have these documents ready, but applicants should not delay applying if they do not have all of them immediately, as the SSA can assist in obtaining them.

After submitting the application, the SSA will process the request, which typically takes a few weeks. The applicant will receive a notification regarding the decision, and if approved, benefits are usually deposited directly into a bank account each month. It can be beneficial to apply a few months before the desired start date to allow ample processing time.