Social Security benefits are a crucial part of the retirement income for millions of Americans. If you don’t have enough Social Security credits to receive benefits on your own work record or if your own benefit is small, you may be able to receive benefits as a spouse. For you to get benefits on your spouse’s work record, your spouse must be receiving their benefits. If your spouse is not yet receiving retirement or disability benefits, you’ll have to wait to apply on their record.

Eligibility for Spouse’s Benefits

To be eligible for spouse’s benefits, you must meet one of the following criteria:

• Be 62 years of age or older.
• Be any age if you have a child who is younger than 16 or has a disability and is entitled to benefits on your spouse’s record.

How the Spouse’s Benefit is Determined

Your full spouse’s benefit could be up to one-half of the amount your spouse is eligible to receive at their full retirement age. If you choose to receive your spouse’s benefits before you reach full retirement age, your payment will be permanently reduced.

If your spouse has postponed or plans to postpone their retirement to increase their monthly benefit amount by earning delayed retirement credits, your maximum spouse’s benefit remains 50% of their full retirement age benefit, not the higher amount including delayed retirement credits. However, your benefit as a surviving spouse would be based on the higher amount.

If you wait until you reach full retirement age to receive benefits, you’ll receive your full spouse’s benefit amount, which is one-half the amount your spouse receives. You may also get your full spouse’s benefit if you are under full retirement age but care for a child and one of the following applies:

• The child is younger than age 16.
• The child has a disability and is entitled to benefits on your spouse’s record.

Receiving Retirement and Spouse’s Benefits

If you’re eligible for both retirement and spouse’s benefits, you must apply for both. This requirement is called “deemed filing” because when you apply for one benefit, you are “deemed” to have applied for the other benefit as well. If you receive retirement benefits on your own record, that amount will be paid first. If your benefits as a spouse are higher than your own benefit, you will receive a combination of benefits that equals the higher spouse’s benefit.

Consider this example: Sandy is eligible for a monthly retirement benefit of $1,000 and a spouse’s benefit of $1,250. If she waits until her full retirement age to receive Social Security, she will receive her own $1,000 retirement benefit. Additionally, she will receive $250 from her spouse’s benefit, totaling $1,250 a month. Sandy only gets an additional spouse’s benefit because her own benefit is less than half her spouse’s full retirement age benefit.

Divorced Spouses Can Get Benefits, Too

If you are divorced from a marriage that lasted at least 10 years, you may be able to get benefits on your former spouse’s record. The rules for divorced spouse’s benefits are slightly different. You can find out more by visiting the Benefits For Your Family page on ssa.gov.

How Hilgerman Insurance Solutions Can Help

Navigating Social Security benefits can be complex and overwhelming. Hilgerman Insurance Solutions is here to help you understand your options and maximize your benefits. Whether you need assistance with determining your eligibility, understanding the application process, or managing your benefits, our team of experts is ready to provide the guidance and support you need. We specialize in helping individuals and families in Ventura County with their Social Security benefits, ensuring you get the most out of your entitlements.

Contact Hilgerman Insurance Solutions today to learn how we can assist you with your Social Security benefits and other insurance needs. Let us help you secure a stable financial future.

Hilgerman Insurance Solutions
(805) 279-5482
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