 |
Benefits Planner: Retirement
Source:
ssa.gov
- Mar 2, 2019
Benefits For Your Spouse
Even if you have never worked under Social Security, you may be able to get spouse’s retirement benefits if you are at least 62 years of age and your spouse is receiving retirement or disability benefits. You can also qualify for Medicare at age 65.
If you are divorced, you may still be able to get benefits on your ex-spouse's record. For information on the requirements for Divorced Spouse's Benefits, read "If You Are Divorced
You can receive the spouse's benefit no matter what your age is if you are caring for their child who is also receiving benefits.
How Much Will I Receive?
If you qualify and apply for your own retirement benefits and for benefits as a spouse, we always pay your own benefits first. If your benefits as a spouse are higher than your own retirement benefits, you will get a combination of benefits equaling the higher spouse benefit.
Your benefits as a spouse do not include any delayed retirement credits your spouse may receive.
If you begin receiving benefits:
between age 62 and your full retirement age, the amount will be permanently reduced by a percentage based on the number of months up to your full retirement age.
If you are under full retirement age and you continue to work while receiving benefits, your benefits may be affected by the retirement earnings test.
at your full retirement age, your benefit as a spouse cannot exceed one-half of your spouse's full retirement amount.
If you were born before January 2, 1954 and have already reached full retirement age, you can choose to receive only the spouse’s benefit and delay receiving your retirement benefit until a later date. If your spouse is full retirement age and applying for spouse’s benefits only, they can apply online by using the retirement application. Your spouse can also contact us to schedule an appointment.
If your spouse’s birthday is January 2, 1954 or later, the option to take only one benefit at full retirement age no longer exists. If your spouse files for one benefit, they will be effectively filing for all retirement or spousal benefits.
If you will receive a pension for work not covered by Social Security such as government employment, the amount of your Social Security benefits on your spouse's record may be reduced.
Benefits paid to you as a spouse will not decrease your spouse’s retirement benefit. In fact, the value of the benefits you may receive, added to their benefits, may help your spouse decide if taking benefits sooner may be more advantageous.
Maximum Family Benefits
If one of your spouse's children also qualifies for benefits, there is a limit to the amount we can pay family members.
The total depends on your spouse's benefit amount and the number of family members who also qualify on the same record. The total varies, but generally the total amount the worker (your spouse) and their family members can receive is about 150 to 180 percent of the worker's full retirement benefit.
If there is an ex-spouse who also qualifies for benefits, they will not affect the total amount of benefits you or your family may receive.
How Do I Apply?
You can apply:
Online - Use our Social Security Retirement/Medicare Benefit Application to apply for retirement, spouse's, divorced spouse's or Medicare benefits.
If your spouse is already receiving benefits when you apply, or if you and your spouse apply at the same time, we will also check your eligibility for benefits as a spouse. If you qualify, your application will automatically serve as a request for spousal benefits.
By phone - Call us at 1-800-772-1213. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can call us at TTY 1-800-325-0778.
In person - Visit your local Social Security office. (Call first to make an appointment.)
If you do not live in the U.S. or one of its territories you can also - Contact the nearest U.S. Social Security office, U.S. Embassy or consulate.
Next Steps
Even if you do not qualify for benefits on someone else's record, some members of your family may qualify for benefits on your record. If you:
are interested in information about benefits for your family, go to "Benefits For Your Family."
never married or had children, go to "How You Apply For Retirement Benefits Or Medicare."
click source to access SSA.gov...Social Security's official site for more info calculators and even to sign up for your own account.
Category: General Business
|
