How are spouses entitled to Social Security benefits?

1 Spousal benefits from Social Security. When a worker files for benefits from Social Security, the worker’s spouse may be able to claim a benefit based on the worker’s contributions. 2 Ex-spouses can get a check, too. And yes, even ex-spouses can file based on your earnings. 3 Strategies for claiming a spousal benefit. 4 Bottom line. …

What kind of benefits do surviving spouses get?

Have been rated service-connected and permanently totally disabled at the time of death from any cause not willful misconduct,

When does an ex spouse become eligible for survivor benefits?

Otherwise, the spouse may become eligible for survivor benefits at age 60, or age 50 if they are disabled. In all cases, ex-spouses will only be eligible if they are not married—or if their subsequent marriage ended in death, divorce, or annulment.

When does your spouse’s Social Security benefits get reduced?

The benefit amount for your spouse is permanently reduced by a percentage, based on the number of months up to their full retirement age. At any age if they are caring for your child under age 16 or who was disabled before age 22, and is entitled to benefits. If Your Spouse Also Worked Under Social Security

What happens to spousal benefits when spouse retires?

A spouse can choose to retire as early as age 62, but doing so may result in a benefit as little as 32.5 percent of the worker’s primary insurance amount. A spousal benefit is reduced 25/36 of one percent for each month before normal retirement age, up to 36 months.

Can a unmarried couple get Social Security benefits?

Talk to a Family Attorney. Unmarried couples that live together are often at a disadvantage when it comes to Social Security benefits—especially if one partner stays at home caring for children or running the household. Typically, you qualify for Social Security benefits based on your own earnings record.

What happens when you apply for Social Security as a spouse?

If you do have enough credits to qualify for your own Social Security benefits and you 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.

What are the benefits for a spouse who is not entitled to primary insurance?

For a spouse who is not entitled to benefits on his or her own earnings record, this reduction factor is applied to the base spousal benefit, which is 50 percent of the worker’s primary insurance amount.