By: Mary Jones
Traveling knowledge
You should be married for at least one year before applying for Social Security benefits. “You are eligible for spousal benefits
Your spousal benefit will be 50% of your spouse’s benefit if you start payments at full retirement age or older. The full retirement age varies by birth year and is usually age 66 or 67
If your full retirement age is 66 and you begin to receive spousal benefits at age 62, you will receive 30% of your spouse's monthly benefit. If you claim spousal benefits at age 65
If you are divorced, you must have been married for at least 10 years to be eligible for a spousal benefit through your ex-spouse.
Your benefits could be impacted by certain events, including the death of your spouse. You may be eligible to receive a Social Security survivor benefit equal to the full benefit your spouse was receiving.
When a worker files for benefits from Social Security, the worker’s spouse may be able to claim a benefit based on the worker’s contributions.
“Spousal benefits are capped at half your spouse’s benefit at full retirement age. If [the worker] waits beyond that to claim
In general, you may be eligible if you are married, divorced, or widowed and your spouse was eligible for benefits.
Spouses have a few ways to proceed here, and the best course of action often depends on your personal financial situation.
The best strategy to claim Social Security retirement benefits as a spouse is to wait until you reach normal retirement age, 65 to 67
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Your spousal benefit is not affected by the age at which your husband or wife claimed Social Security benefits.