Will My Wife Automatically Get a Spousal Benefit When I Claim My $4,000 Social Security?

Core Points - Social Security spousal benefits can be complex, and careful planning can help couples maximize their total benefits [2][3] - Married individuals may be eligible for retirement benefits based on their own earnings or their spouse's earnings [2][5] - The spousal benefit is typically 50% of the spouse's benefit at their full retirement age, not the delayed benefit [3][7] Eligibility for Spousal Benefits - To qualify for spousal benefits, the individual must be at least 62 years old and the spouse must have already filed for their own benefits [7] - If the spouse has a child under 18 or a disabled child receiving benefits, the individual can apply for spousal benefits at any age [7] - The Social Security Administration pays out the higher of the two benefits: the individual's own or the spousal benefit [6]