Social Security Spousal Benefits 2025: How to Get up to 50% of Your Spouse’s Check

Retirement planning isn’t just about your own savings. It’s about maximizing the “household” income. One of the most powerful—and often misunderstood—tools for married couples (and divorced ones!) is the Social Security Spousal Benefit.

Here is the simple version: Even if you never worked a day in your life, you could be eligible to receive a monthly check equal to 50% of your spouse’s full retirement benefit.

If your spouse was a high earner and you stayed home to raise kids (or worked in a lower-paying job), this can be a massive financial lifeline. It ensures that both partners have a floor of income in retirement.

But the rules are tricky. Claim too early, and you lose money permanently. Get divorced too soon, and you lose it all. Here is everything you need to know to maximize your payout.

Key Details at a Glance

What This Opportunity Offers

The Spousal Benefit is a “top-up” system.

Scenario A: You have no earnings history. Your spouse, John, is eligible for $3,000/month at his Full Retirement Age (FRA). You have zero earnings history.

• You are eligible for $1,500/month (50% of John’s PIA) once you reach your own FRA.

Scenario B: You have a smaller earnings history. Your spouse, John, is eligible for $3,000/month. You worked and are eligible for $800/month on your own record.

• The SSA calculates your spousal share ($1,500).
• Since $1,500 is higher than your own $800, they pay you your $800 plus a “spousal add-on” of $700.
• Total Check: $1,500. (They basically bump you up to the higher amount).

Scenario C: You have a higher earnings history. Your spouse gets $3,000. You were a CEO and get $3,500 on your own.

• You get your $3,500. You get $0 in spousal benefits because your own benefit is higher than 50% of his.

Who Should Apply

1. The Stay-at-Home Parent If you sacrificed your career to raise a family, this benefit is literally designed for you. It acknowledges your contribution to the household partnership.

2. The Lower-Earning Spouse If one partner was a corporate lawyer and the other was a teacher, the teacher will likely get a bigger check by claiming spousal benefits than by claiming their own retirement.

3. The Divorced Spouse (The “Hidden” Benefit) This is the one people miss. If you were married for 10 years or more and are currently unmarried, you can claim spousal benefits on your ex’s record.

• Crucial Detail: It does not affect your ex’s benefit. They won’t even know you applied. Their current spouse’s benefit is also unaffected. It is pure “found money.”

Insider Tips for a Winning Application

1. The “Deemed Filing” Trap In the old days, you could play games: “I’ll file for spousal benefits now and let my own grow until 70.”

• Current Rule: For anyone born after Jan 2, 1954, that loophole is closed. When you apply for benefits, you are “deemed” to be applying for both your own and the spousal benefit. The SSA will automatically give you whichever is higher. You can’t pick and choose.

2. Timing is Everything (Don’t Wait Until 70) Your own retirement benefit grows by 8% per year if you wait from age 67 to 70.

• Spousal benefits DO NOT grow after Full Retirement Age.
• If you are only eligible for a spousal benefit, there is zero advantage to waiting past your Full Retirement Age (usually 67). If you wait until 70, you just threw away 3 years of checks.

3. The “Child-in-Care” Exception You usually have to be 62 to claim. BUT, if you are caring for your spouse’s child who is under 16 (or disabled), you can claim spousal benefits at any age.

• Example: You are 45, your husband is 66 and retires. You have a 10-year-old son. You can claim spousal benefits immediately.

4. Coordinate with Your Spouse For you to claim a spousal benefit, your spouse must be receiving their retirement benefit (unless you are divorced).

• Strategy: If your high-earning spouse wants to delay until 70 to maximize their check, you (the lower earner) might have to wait until they file to get your spousal top-up. You can file for your own small benefit at 62, and then “step up” to the spousal benefit when they finally file at 70.

Application Timeline

• 3 Months Before You Want Checks: Apply. It takes time to process.
• Age 62: The earliest you can apply (but your check will be permanently reduced by up to 32.5%).
• Full Retirement Age (66-67): The “Sweet Spot.” You get the full 50%.
• Age 70: Too late. You should have applied at FRA.

Required Materials

• Marriage Certificate: The original or a certified copy.
• Divorce Decree: If applying as a divorced spouse. It must show the exact dates of marriage and divorce to prove the 10-year rule.
• Spouse’s SSN: You need their Social Security Number to link the records.
• Birth Certificate: To prove your age.

What Makes an Application Stand Out

Having your documents ready. If you are applying as a divorced spouse, the SSA might not have your marriage data on hand. Walking into the office with a certified copy of your divorce decree from 1995 saves weeks of processing time.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Remarrying Before Age 60 If you are a divorced spouse collecting on an ex’s record and you remarry, you lose the benefit.

• Exception: If you remarry after age 60 (or 50 if disabled), you can usually keep survivor benefits, but spousal benefits generally end upon remarriage. Check with SSA for your specific case.

2. Assuming “Common Law” Doesn’t Count If you live in a state that recognizes common law marriage, the SSA might recognize it too. You will need affidavits from family, but don’t assume you are ineligible just because you didn’t have a ceremony.

3. Failing to Switch to Survivor Benefits If your spouse passes away, your “Spousal Benefit” (50%) should switch to a “Survivor Benefit” (100%). This often happens automatically, but not always. If your check doesn’t double after your spouse dies, call the SSA immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does claiming spousal benefits lower my husband’s check? No. Never. It is an additional benefit paid by the system.

Can I claim on my ex-husband’s record if he remarried? Yes. His new wife can claim, and you can claim. It doesn’t split the pot.

What if my spouse hasn’t retired yet? You generally cannot claim spousal benefits until they file.

• Exception: If you have been divorced for at least 2 years, you can claim on your ex’s record even if they are still working (as long as they are eligible for retirement).

Is the spousal benefit taxable? Yes, just like regular Social Security. Depending on your total household income, up to 85% of the benefit may be taxable.

How to Apply

1. Check your eligibility at ssa.gov/myaccount.
2. Gather your marriage/divorce documents.
3. Apply online or call 1-800-772-1213 to make an appointment.

Start the application here: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/applying6.html