Can You Collect Spousal Social Security and Your Own?

Social Security provides a financial foundation for millions of Americans during retirement, offering benefits that can supplement other income sources. A common question for married individuals concerns eligibility for both their own earned benefits and those based on a spouse’s earnings record. Understanding these distinct rules is important for retirement planning.

Understanding Your Own Social Security Benefits

Individuals qualify for Social Security retirement benefits by earning work credits throughout their careers. For 2025, one work credit is earned for every $1,810 in wages or self-employment income, with a maximum of four credits obtainable per year. Most people need 40 work credits, which typically equates to 10 years of work, to become eligible for retirement benefits. These credits accumulate over a person’s working life.

The amount of an individual’s own Social Security retirement benefit is primarily based on their average indexed monthly earnings (AIME). The Social Security Administration (SSA) calculates AIME by taking the 35 highest-earning years of a worker’s career, adjusting these earnings for historical wage inflation, and then averaging them over a month. This indexing process ensures that past earnings reflect current wage levels.

Once the AIME is determined, the SSA applies a formula to calculate the Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). The PIA represents the monthly benefit an individual would receive if they begin collecting benefits at their full retirement age. The PIA formula uses “bend points,” which are specific dollar amounts of AIME, and applies different percentages to portions of the AIME to determine the final PIA. This weighted formula provides a higher replacement rate for lower earners.

Understanding Spousal Social Security Benefits

Spousal Social Security benefits offer a financial safety net for individuals whose own work record results in a lower benefit amount, or for those with limited work history. To be eligible, an individual must be at least 62 years old, and their spouse must generally be receiving their own Social Security retirement or disability benefits. Additionally, the marriage typically must have lasted for at least one year.

The maximum spousal benefit an individual can receive is up to 50% of their spouse’s Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) at their full retirement age. This amount is based on the higher-earning spouse’s benefit amount at their full retirement age, regardless of when that spouse actually begins collecting benefits. The precise amount received can vary based on factors such as the claimant’s age and the spouse’s income history.

If an individual is eligible for both their own Social Security benefit and a spousal benefit, the Social Security Administration (SSA) does not pay both benefits simultaneously. Instead, the SSA will pay the higher of the two benefit amounts. If an individual’s own retirement benefit is less than the spousal benefit they are eligible for, they will receive their own benefit plus an additional amount from the spousal benefit to reach the higher spousal amount.

Impact of Claiming Age on Benefits

The age at which an individual chooses to claim Social Security benefits significantly affects the monthly amount received. Full Retirement Age (FRA) is the age at which a person is entitled to receive 100% of their Primary Insurance Amount. For individuals born in 1960 or later, the full retirement age is 67. Claiming benefits before reaching FRA results in a permanent reduction in monthly payments.

For instance, claiming retirement benefits at the earliest age of 62 can lead to a reduction of up to 30% of the full benefit amount. This reduction is calculated based on the number of months prior to FRA that benefits are claimed. Conversely, delaying the collection of benefits past FRA can increase the monthly payment.

Delayed Retirement Credits (DRCs) are applied for each month benefits are postponed beyond FRA, up to age 70. For those born in 1943 or later, these credits increase the monthly benefit by 8% for each full year benefits are delayed. However, spousal benefits do not accrue Delayed Retirement Credits and will not increase if claimed past the recipient’s full retirement age. Claiming spousal benefits early also results in a reduced amount, similar to one’s own benefits.

Divorced Spousal Benefits

Individuals may be eligible to collect Social Security benefits based on an ex-spouse’s earnings record, even after divorce. Several specific criteria must be met for this type of benefit. The marriage must have lasted for at least 10 years, and the individual claiming benefits must currently be unmarried. The claimant must also be at least 62 years old.

The ex-spouse must be eligible for Social Security retirement or disability benefits, though they do not necessarily need to be currently collecting them. If the ex-spouse has not yet claimed benefits, the divorce must have been final for at least two years for the former spouse to claim. A key aspect of divorced spousal benefits is that claiming them does not affect the ex-spouse’s own benefit amount or the benefits of their current spouse.

Benefits for a divorced spouse are calculated similarly to those for a current spouse, with a maximum of 50% of the ex-spouse’s full retirement age benefit. If an individual qualifies for both their own benefit and a divorced spousal benefit, the Social Security Administration will pay the higher of the two amounts. This option can be particularly beneficial for individuals with a lower personal earnings history.

Applying for Social Security Benefits

When an individual is ready to apply for Social Security benefits, whether their own retirement benefits or spousal benefits, the process can be initiated in several ways. Applications can be submitted online, by phone, or in person at a local Social Security office. It is advisable to have all necessary documentation prepared to ensure a smooth application process.

Common documents required for an application typically include the applicant’s Social Security card and an original birth certificate or a certified copy. Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status may be needed if not born in the U.S. Applicants should also provide W-2 forms or self-employment tax returns for the previous year.

For spousal or divorced spousal benefits, a marriage certificate or divorce decree is necessary to establish eligibility. Bank account information, including routing and account numbers, is also required for direct deposit of benefits. While it is best to provide all documents at the time of application, the Social Security Administration can sometimes assist in obtaining missing information.