Core Points - Spousal benefits are available for spouses of Social Security beneficiaries, allowing them to claim up to 50% of the primary spouse's full retirement benefit [3][7] - To qualify for spousal benefits, the primary earning spouse must have filed for their own retirement benefits, and the secondary spouse must be at least 62 years old or have a qualifying child [6] - Spousal benefits are not deducted from the primary spouse's payments, and the secondary spouse's right to receive them is not affected by the primary spouse's marital status [3][6] Eligibility Criteria - The primary earning spouse must have filed for their own retirement benefits [6] - The secondary spouse must be at least 62 years old or have a qualifying child in their care [6] - If divorced for more than two years, the secondary spouse can claim spousal benefits regardless of the primary spouse's retirement status [6] Benefit Calculation - Spousal benefits are capped at 50% of the higher-earning spouse's primary insurance amount (PIA), which is the benefit at full retirement age [7] - For example, if the primary spouse receives $3,000 per month, the secondary spouse can receive up to $1,500 per month in spousal benefits if they wait until their own full retirement age [7]

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]

Core Insights - Social Security spousal benefits can significantly enhance household finances during retirement, with an average monthly benefit of approximately $955 as of August 2025, which, while not sufficient alone, can substantially contribute when combined with a partner's retirement benefits [1]. Misconceptions and Eligibility - Misconception 1: Spousal benefits are available even if one has never worked, provided certain conditions are met, such as being married for at least one year or having a child with the spouse [4]. - Individuals can qualify for both retirement and spousal benefits, but the Social Security Administration pays the higher of the two benefits [5]. - The age at which one claims benefits is crucial, as full retirement age (FRA) is 67 for most workers, and claiming early can lead to significant reductions in benefits [7]. Claiming Benefits - To receive the full retirement or spousal benefit, one must wait until reaching FRA, with penalties for early claiming that can reduce benefits by up to 30% for retirement and up to 35% for spousal benefits if claimed at age 62 [7]. - Spousal benefits are available if the spousal benefit amount exceeds the retirement benefit one qualifies for, and ex-spouses may also qualify if the marriage lasted 10 years or more [8].