I Will Claim a $3,750 Social Security Benefit. Will My Wife Automatically Get a Spousal Benefit?

Social Security spousal benefits allow a spouse to receive a portion of their partner’s benefit if certain criteria are met. If one spouse claims a monthly benefit of $3,750, the other may be eligible for a spousal benefit, which typically amounts to up to 50% of the primary earner’s benefit. However, eligibility isn’t automatic – factors like age, work history and the timing of the claim all play a role.

For example, the spouse must apply for these benefits separately and meet age requirements to qualify for the maximum amount. To ensure you’re making the most of your hard-earned benefits, consult with a qualified financial advisor.

Spousal Benefit Example

A person whose spouse is eligible for a primary benefit Social Security benefit of $3,750 may be able to receive a spousal benefit equal to half that amount – $1,875. The spousal benefit claimant would generally need to wait until reaching age 62 in order to receive any benefit, though there are some exceptions to these rules as noted below.

In addition, claiming spousal benefits before reaching full retirement age will reduce the spousal benefit. For instance, a person who claims two years before reaching their full retirement age is 67 will reduce the benefit to just 41.67% of the primary benefit amount, or $1,562.62. The precise amount in a specific case can be calculated using Social Security’s online Benefits for Spouses calculator.

If you need help calculating your spousal benefit or integrating these payments into a more comprehensive retirement plan, speak with a financial advisor.

Spousal Benefit Rules

There are a handful of rules to keep in mind when planning your Social Security benefits.

In most cases, Social Security won’t pay spousal benefits to a spouse until they are at least 62 years old. A couple of exceptions exist. One is for a spouse who provides care for a child under age 16. Another is when the child being cared for has a disability and is eligible for benefits based on the other spouse’s work history. If either of these conditions are in effect, a spouse can claim spousal benefits before age 62.

In any case, Social Security will pay this benefit only if it’s higher than what the claimant would receive based on their own work record. Also, the spousal benefit is only paid in most cases if the spouse with higher earnings has started receiving benefits. If this condition is met, Social Security does the calculations and automatically pays the larger amount when the lower-earning spouse files to receive benefits.

The amount of the spousal benefit is based on 50% of the higher-earning spouse’s benefit at full retirement age. Note that even if the higher-earning spouse claims their benefit after their full retirement age, the base spousal benefit is still half of the higher-earning spouse’s full retirement age benefit. In other words, delaying Social Security beyond full retirement age will not increase the value of a spousal benefit.

Age is another important factor. If someone claims a spousal benefit before reaching full retirement age, in most cases, it reduces the amount of the spousal benefit awarded by Social Security. Again, the exception is for a spouse caring for a qualifying child. Absent a qualifying child, the benefit can be reduced by up to 35%.

A financial advisor can help you make calculations for various scenarios to help you weigh your options for when to take Social Security benefits. Get matched with a fiduciary advisor today.

Bottom Line

In most cases, a spouse can claim spousal benefits equal to as much as half the benefit received by a higher-earning partner. If the higher-earning partner has already started collecting benefits, all the spouse has to do is file to receive benefits based on their own earning record. Social Security will determine which benefit would be the largest and automatically begin paying that.

Otherwise, the lower-earning partner can file to receive their own benefits and then notify Social Security when the higher-earning partner claims. Again, Social Security will determine which benefit is larger and pay that amount. A number of factors may affect eligibility for spousal benefits as well as the amount paid.

Retirement Income Tips

A one-size-fits-all approach to Social Security and retirement income may not be the best solution. By working with a financial advisor, you’ll receive tailored guidance that considers your specific circumstances, goals, and retirement aspirations. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors in your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Use SmartAsset’s Social Security calculator to estimate your future benefits using your age, income and planned age at retirement.
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