Can You and Your Spouse Both Collect Social Security?
Discover how married couples can strategically claim Social Security benefits to maximize their retirement income. Understand your collection options.
Social Security is a key part of retirement planning. Many married couples wonder if both spouses can collect benefits simultaneously. The answer is generally yes, with options based on individual work histories or a spouse’s record.
Understanding Your Own Social Security Benefit
Social Security benefits are based on an individual’s work history and contributions through payroll taxes. To qualify for retirement benefits, individuals must earn sufficient “work credits.” In 2025, one credit is earned for every $1,810 in wages or self-employment income, with a maximum of four credits per year. Most people need 40 credits to be eligible for retirement benefits.
An individual’s Social Security benefit is determined by their “Primary Insurance Amount” (PIA). The PIA is the monthly benefit an individual receives if they claim benefits at their Full Retirement Age (FRA). This amount is calculated using a formula based on their 35 highest-earning years, adjusted for wage changes over time.
Individuals can check their earnings record and estimated benefits by creating an account on the Social Security Administration’s website at www.ssa.gov/myaccount. This online portal provides access to their Social Security Statement. Reviewing this statement periodically helps identify and correct discrepancies that could impact future benefits.
Claiming Benefits Based on a Spouse’s Record
Social Security rules allow one spouse to claim benefits based on the other spouse’s work record, which can be advantageous if one partner has a limited or no earnings history. To be eligible, the claiming spouse must be at least 62 years old, and the primary earner must have already filed for their own Social Security retirement or disability benefits. The marriage must have lasted for at least one year.
A spousal benefit is up to 50% of the primary earner’s Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). Claiming spousal benefits before the individual’s own Full Retirement Age will result in a permanent reduction of the benefit amount.
A key rule for spousal benefits is “deemed filing.” For most individuals, if eligible for both their own retirement benefit and a spousal benefit, they are considered to have filed for both simultaneously. The Social Security Administration will pay the higher of the two benefit amounts, not both. This rule prevents individuals from claiming a spousal benefit while allowing their own benefit to grow through delayed retirement credits.
Benefits for Surviving Spouses
Social Security provides financial support to surviving spouses after the death of their partner. Eligibility for survivor benefits depends on factors including the surviving spouse’s age, marriage duration, and whether they are caring for a qualifying child. A surviving spouse can begin receiving benefits as early as age 60, or age 50 if disabled. If caring for the deceased’s child under age 16 or disabled, they may be eligible at any age.
Survivor benefits are a higher percentage of the deceased spouse’s PIA compared to spousal benefits. A surviving spouse who has reached their Full Retirement Age can receive 100% of the deceased spouse’s benefit amount. If benefits are claimed before the surviving spouse’s Full Retirement Age, the amount will be reduced. The “deemed filing” rule does not apply to survivor benefits, allowing more flexibility.
If a surviving spouse is also eligible for benefits based on their own work record, they will receive the higher of their own benefit or the survivor benefit. The SSA will automatically switch a surviving spouse already receiving spousal benefits to survivor benefits once the death is reported, if eligible. Divorced surviving spouses may also be eligible if the marriage lasted at least 10 years and other conditions are met, such as not remarrying before age 60.
How Claiming Age Affects Benefits
The age at which an individual begins receiving Social Security benefits significantly impacts the monthly amount. The “Full Retirement Age” (FRA) is when an individual receives 100% of their Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). FRA varies by birth year, generally between 66 and 67.
Claiming benefits before FRA results in a permanent reduction in monthly payments. For example, claiming at age 62 can reduce payments by as much as 30%. This reduction is calculated based on the number of months prior to FRA that benefits are claimed. Claiming spousal benefits early also leads to reductions.
Conversely, delaying benefits beyond FRA can lead to increased monthly payments through “delayed retirement credits.” These credits increase an individual’s monthly benefit for each month benefits are delayed, up to age 70. Delayed retirement credits cease accumulating at age 70. These age-related adjustments apply to individual retirement, spousal, and survivor benefits.