Spousal & Survivor Benefits
Two different Social Security programs for married couples — one while you are both alive, one after a spouse dies. Here is who qualifies and how to apply.
Which one are you here for?
Spousal benefits — while you are both alive
A way for the lower-earning spouse to draw on the higher earner's record.
What it is. If your own Social Security retirement benefit would be small (or zero) because you spent fewer years in paid work, you can claim a benefit based on your spouse's earnings record instead. The maximum is half of your spouse's full retirement age benefit.
Who qualifies
- Age 62 or older (or any age if caring for the spouse's child under 16)
- Married for at least one year (or 10+ years and divorced, see below)
- Your spouse already filed for their own retirement or disability benefit
- For ex-spouses: marriage lasted 10+ years, divorced 2+ years, you have not remarried
How much you get
Up to 50% of your spouse's full retirement age benefit. If your own earned benefit is higher, the SSA pays the higher amount — you do not get both stacked. Claiming before your full retirement age (66 to 67 for most people) permanently shrinks your check.
When it makes sense
If half of your spouse's benefit is more than your own benefit at full retirement age — claim spousal. If your own would be higher, claim on your own record. The SSA estimator inside your my Social Security account does this math for you.
How to apply — step by step
Confirm you qualify
You must be at least 62 years old, married to your current spouse for at least one year, and your spouse must already be receiving their own Social Security retirement or disability benefit. (For ex-spouses: 10 or more years of marriage, divorced two years, and not remarried.)
Sign in at ssa.gov
Go to ssa.gov and click "Sign In" — use your my Social Security account. If you do not have one, set it up first using our My Social Security Setup guide.
Click "Apply for Benefits"
On the home dashboard, choose "Apply for Benefits". Pick "Retirement / Spouse" when the form asks what you are applying for.
Provide spouse details
You will need your spouse's full legal name, Social Security number, and date of birth. Have your marriage certificate scanned in case the SSA requests it.
Choose your start date
Pick the month you want benefits to begin. Earlier than full retirement age means a permanent reduction. Submit and write down the confirmation number.
Watch the mail for a decision letter
A paper letter arrives in 30 to 60 days with your award amount. Direct deposit is set up using the same account on file. Call 1-800-772-1213 if you hear nothing in 60 days.
When to claim — the age trade-off
Age 62 (earliest for spousal): Permanent reduction of about 25 to 30% versus claiming at full retirement age. Pick this only if the household needs the money now.
Age 60 (earliest for survivor): About 71.5% of the full benefit. The lower amount sticks for life.
Full retirement age (66 to 67): 100% of the spousal or survivor amount. The default best choice for most people in good health.
Age 70: Waiting past full retirement age does NOT grow spousal or survivor benefits — only your own retirement benefit grows after FRA. So once you hit FRA, file for the spousal or survivor amount and stop waiting.
Watch for fake "Social Security" calls
The SSA does not call you about benefits, threaten to suspend your number, or ask for your bank info by phone. Real notices arrive on paper, by mail. If a caller claims to be from Social Security and pressures you, hang up and call 1-800-772-1213 yourself to check.
Useful direct links
- Apply for spousal benefits — official ssa.gov page
- Survivor benefits overview — qualifications and amounts
- If a family member dies — what to do, who to call
- faq.ssa.gov — official FAQs