================================
Sign up for email list here.
Follow me censorship-free!
My course “Can I Retire” will help reduce your stress when it comes to retirement planning.
Get it here:
and don’t forget there IS a 30 day money back guarantee if you’re not satisfied!
Get my books on Audible here:
Want to support what I’m doing for $10 a month?
Join my SubscribeStar page!
My Amazon Product page:
Anything you buy there Amazon pays me a commission. Much appreciated!
GET MY BOOKS:
ALL are FREE to Kindle Unlimited Subscribers!
You Can RETIRE on SOCIAL SECURITY:
The Tax Bomb In Your Retirement Accounts: How The Roth IRA Can Help You Avoid It:
Strategic Money Planning: 8 Easy Ways To Put Your House In Order
GET ALL MY LATEST BLOGPOSTS:
…(read more)
LEARN MORE ABOUT: IRA Accounts
CONVERTING IRA TO GOLD: Gold IRA Account
CONVERTING IRA TO SILVER: Silver IRA Account
REVEALED: Best Gold Backed IRA
Social Security Spousal Benefits – Who is Eligible?
Social Security spousal benefits are a great way to help spouses who have either never worked or have limited work credits. Depending on the situation, spouses can claim a portion of their spouse’s benefits, even if they have never contributed to the Social Security system themselves.
Who is eligible for spousal benefits?
To qualify for Social Security spousal benefits, you must meet the following criteria:
1. You must be married
You need to be married for at least one year to be eligible for spousal benefits.
2. You must be at least 62 years old
You need to be age 62 or older to qualify for spousal benefits. However, if you’re disabled, you can claim spousal benefits at age 50.
3. Your spouse must be eligible for retirement or disability benefits
Your spouse must be eligible to receive retirement or disability benefits from Social Security.
4. You must have been married for at least 10 years
To be able to receive spousal benefits, you must have been married for at least 10 years.
5. You must not be eligible for a higher Social Security benefit
If you have worked long enough to qualify for your own Social Security benefits, you can receive either your own benefit or a spousal benefit, whichever is higher.
How much can you receive from Social Security spousal benefits?
The amount you receive from a Social Security spousal benefit depends on several factors, including:
1. Your spouse’s benefit amount
The amount you can receive from a spousal benefit is up to one-half of your spouse’s benefit amount
2. Your age
If you start receiving spousal benefits before your full retirement age (currently age 66), your benefit will be reduced. If you delay your benefits until after your full retirement age, your benefit will increase by up to 8% per year until age 70.
3. Your work history
If you have worked long enough to qualify for your own Social Security benefits, you won’t receive spousal benefits unless your spousal benefit is higher.
Final Words
Social Security spousal benefits are a great way for spouses to receive additional retirement income. However, it’s essential to understand the eligibility requirements, how much you can receive, and when to claim spousal benefits. You can get more information by visiting the Social Security Administration (SSA) website or consulting with a financial advisor.
You need to do a video on the following situation. My wife has worked for 40yrs in both the public and private sector. Right now the spousal benefit will be larger than anything she has coming from either or both. But it appears she will be penalized. Can she while still working somehow forfeit the public (SERS) benefit.
FYI. Devin Carroll is not taking new clients now. (Went to email and tried to get a
Consultation and that was the note when I tried to hire him”
Can you do a viv on spousal benefits after the husband dies. EXAMPLE—Specifically if the wife is in her early 60s and the husband was also in his early 60s when the husband died. Husband was 61.5 years old and never filed for Social Security. Whats the percentage rate that a spouse would get of the husbands FRA( is this what she gets to draw from, his FRA? Does the surviving spouse get a COLA on her draw? if the wife takes spousal benefits now does that affect her own Social Security at FRA? Example wife had the higher amount at FRA, then the deceased ? Is there a means testing for Spousal survivor benefit?
OK….If you draw at….63…And you wife waits 9 years and draws he spousal benefit at age 67? Will she receive half of your age 63 benefit or will hers continue to grow and be based on your age 67 benefit?
Thanks for the video. I wonder if phasing out/eliminating these spousal benefits would improve the solvency of the program?
I am married to a Mexican National who does not have a green card. Does she qualify? She has a tax ID number
Josh – I think the tricky part here is that the worker benefit can grow with delayed benefit credits, but the spousal benefit does not get bigger than the workers pia. It would be great if you did a right capital analysis showing both filing at pia (and assuming that they are the same age) and filing at 70. This would be different than a single person since you are getting the boost of the spousal benefit for 3 or r 4 years.
Can you do a video discussing Social Security Survivor benefits? My wife passed away 2 years ago at age 49. I'm now 54. I think I can't claim it until I'm aged 60. When I'm eligible for my own SS, the amount will be much more than that from my wife. Just wondering does it make sense to claim survivor benefits at age 60 and then claim mine at FRA of 67. Or am I missing something?
What a can of worms the bureaucrats have created.
Thanks for the video! You have been so helpful.