How does spousal Social Security benefits work?
How does spousal Social Security benefits work?
The spousal benefit can be as much as half of the worker’s “primary insurance amount,” depending on the spouse’s age at retirement. If the spouse begins receiving benefits before “normal (or full) retirement age,” the spouse will receive a reduced benefit.
Can I take my social security and then switch to spousal benefit?
En español | Only if your spouse is not yet receiving retirement benefits. In this case, you can claim your own Social Security beginning at 62 and make the switch to spousal benefits when your husband or wife files. Again, Social Security will pay the greater of the two benefit amounts.
What happens to my husband’s Social Security when he dies?
Social Security is a key source of financial security to widowed spouses in old age. When a retired worker dies, the surviving spouse gets an amount equal to the worker’s full retirement benefit. Example: John Smith has a $1,200-a-month retirement benefit. His wife Jane gets $600 as a 50 percent spousal benefit.
