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Social Security Benefits for Spouses
May 10, 2022 | By Mike Lynch Navigating Longevity Investor Behavior Investor
Insight
Understand the benefits a spouse (or former spouse) may be entitled to receive
in four scenarios.
For many, the rules regarding Social Security benefits are unclear, particularly
when it comes to spousal benefits. Making matters more challenging is the fact
that the rules aren’t the same for those who are married, widowed, or divorced.
These examples can help clarify some of the confusion using four scenarios.
1. Spousal Benefits for Married Couples1
Spouses are entitled to the greater of:
1. Their own benefit
2. The spousal benefit
* The maximum spousal benefit is up to 50% of the higher earner’s
benefit and capped at their full retirement age (FRA) benefit amount
Example
Monthly benefits at FRA: Sofia is entitled to the greater of: Marc
$3,100 Up to 50% of
Marc’s benefit
Sofia
$1,200 Her own benefit
General guidelines:
* A couple must be married for at least one year
* The spousal benefit can’t be claimed until the higher-earning spouse files
* A spouse is entitled to the greater of their individual benefit or the
spousal benefit, but not both
* Like individual benefits, spousal benefits can be collected at age 62. But
that’s considered early filing (i.e., before FRA) and may potentially reduce
the spousal benefit amount.2,3
1. Survivor Benefits for Widowed Spouses4
Widowed spouses may be entitled to up to 100% of their deceased spouse’s
benefit.
In the case of Marc and Sofia, what would happen if Marc passes away?
Instead of continuing to collect 50% of Marc’s benefit, Sofia may be
entitled to his full benefit at the time of his death.
Example
Monthly benefits at FRA: Sofia is entitled to the greater of: Marc
$3,553 If Marc passes away,
Sofia may be entitled to
100% of Marc’s benefit
Sofia
$1,200
General guidelines:
* A couple must have been married for at least nine months
* The surviving spouse must be at least age 60 to begin receiving survivor
benefits. But that’s considered early filing (i.e., before FRA) and may
potentially reduce the spousal-benefit amount.2,5
* The surviving spouse may be entitled to the greater of: their individual
benefit, the spousal benefit, or the survivor benefit
1. Spousal Benefits for Divorced Spouses6
Divorced spouses are entitled to the greater of:
1. Their own benefit
2. The spousal benefit
* The maximum spousal benefit is up to 50% of the higher earner’s
benefit and capped at their full retirement age (FRA) amount
See also: Spousal Benefits for Married Couples illustration in the first
scenario.
General guidelines:
* A couple must have been married for at least 10 years and divorced for at
least two continuous years
* The lower-earning former spouse who’s filing must be unmarried
* The lower-earning former spouse can file as early as age 62. Again, that’s
considered early filing (i.e., before FRA) and may potentially reduce the
spousal-benefit amount.2
* The higher-earning former spouse does not need to file first. However, they
must be eligible to receive their retirement benefits (i.e., age 62 or
older).
* The lower-earning former spouse may need to contact the Social Security
Administration (SSA) and provide all necessary documentation if they wish to
file for spousal benefits
* If the higher earner remarries, their new spouse may still be eligible to
receive spousal benefits. If so, neither the benefit amount for the current
spouse nor the former spouse will be affected.
1. Survivor Benefits for Divorced, Widowed Spouses7
If a couple is divorced and the higher-earning former spouse passes away,
the surviving former spouse can still claim up to 100% of the deceased
former spouse’s benefit.
See also: Survivor Benefits for Widowed Spouses illustration in the second
scenario.
General guidelines:
* The surviving former spouse must be age 60 or older3
* The marriage must have lasted for at least 10 years8
* Remarrying before age 60 may make the surviving former spouse ineligible to
collect on their deceased former spouse’s record9
* If the former spouse remarries at age 60 or older, they may still be eligible
to collect survivor benefits from their deceased ex-spouse’s record
* Benefits paid to a surviving former spouse won’t affect the benefit amounts
to which other survivors may be entitled
As you can see, spousal and survivor benefits can provide additional income in
retirement. But the rules can be confusing, and the examples provided are
relatively basic. As always, we strongly recommend you consult the Social
Security Administration for more information. Also, meet with your financial
professional, who can help you make the most informed decisions based on your
particular situation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike Lynch
Mike is a managing director of the Hartford Funds Applied Insights Team. The
team translates the expertise of the psychologists, physiologists, professors,
and practice-management experts we partner with into practical, actionable ideas
and tools to make sense of a rapidly evolving market and demographic landscape.
INVESTOR Next Step
1 Visit ssa.gov/myaccount/ to get your personalized monthly retirement-benefit
estimates based on the age you may file. 2 Print a copy of your Social Security
statement. Take it to your tax and financial professionals to discuss the most
appropriate strategy for claiming your benefits.
Financial Professionals Next Steps
1 Download or order this article. 2 This article is based on our popular Social
Security: Unlock Its Potential module. Click here to access additional content
to share.
Share this client page
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1 Retirement Benefits/Benefits for Your Spouse, ssa.gov, 4/22.
2 Anyone who claims Social Security benefits (individual, spousal, or survivor)
before reaching full retirement age (FRA), and continues working and earning
above a certain threshold, is subject to the retirement earnings test (RET). RET
may reduce Social Security benefits before FRA and then increase benefits at FRA
for the remainder of one’s life. Benefits withheld while working aren’t lost;
they’re added to an individual’s monthly benefit once FRA is reached. Source:
Retirement Benefits, Receiving Benefits While Working, ssa.gov, 4/22.
3 A lower-earning spouse can receive spousal benefits at any age if they’re
caring for the higher earner’s child who’s under age 16 or who became disabled
before age 22, and is entitled to benefits. Source: Retirement Benefits/Benefits
for Your Spouse, ssa.gov, 4/22.
4 Planning For Your Survivors, ssa.gov, 4/22.
5 A widow or widower is eligible for survivor benefits at age 50 or older if
they have a disability. A widow or widower is eligible for survivor benefits at
any age if caring for the deceased’s child who is under age 16 or has a
disability and is receiving child’s benefits. Source: If You Are The
Survivor/Widow or Widower, ssa.gov, 4/22.
6 Retirement Benefits/Benefits For Your Divorced Spouse, ssa.gov, 4/22.
7 Planning For Your Survivors/For Your Surviving Divorced Spouse, ssa.gov,
4/22.
8 If a surviving divorced spouse is caring for their deceased former spouse’s
natural or legally adopted child, who is under age 16, has a disability, and
gets benefits on the deceased spouse’s record, the surviving divorced spouse
does not have to meet the length-of-marriage rule. Source: Planning For Your
Survivors/For Your Surviving Divorced Spouse, ssa.gov, 4/22.
9 If they have a disability, a surviving divorced spouse who remarries is
eligible for survivor benefits after they reach age 50. Source: Planning For
Your Survivors/For Your Surviving Divorced Spouse, ssa.gov, 4/22.
All of these examples assume spouses were born after 1954. For those born prior
to 1954, other options may be available.
All information provided is for informational and educational purposes only and
is not intended to provide investment, tax, accounting or legal advice. As with
all matters of an investment, tax, or legal nature, you and your clients should
consult with a qualified tax or legal professional regarding your or your
client’s specific legal or tax situation, as applicable.
The preceding is not intended to be a recommendation or advice. This information
does not take into account the specific investment objectives, tax and financial
condition of any specific person. This information has been prepared from
sources believed reliable but the accuracy and completeness of the information
cannot be guaranteed. This material and/or its contents are current at the time
of writing and are subject to change without notice. This material may not be
copied, photocopied or duplicated in any form or distributed in whole or in
part, for any purpose, without the express written consent of Hartford Funds.
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