If you are married, your Social Security choices are tied to your spouse's. There are benefits based on your own work, benefits based on your spouse's work, and benefits for a surviving spouse. Knowing how they fit together can help you plan as a couple.
- You may qualify for a benefit based on your spouse's record
- A surviving spouse generally keeps the larger of the two benefits
- The higher earner's claiming age can affect the survivor
- Divorced spouses may also qualify in some cases
Your own benefit
Your benefit is based on your own earnings history. When you apply, Social Security checks whether a benefit based on your spouse's record would be higher than your own.
Spousal benefits
A spouse may receive a benefit based on the other spouse's record, generally when the other spouse has already filed. It is usually a portion of the worker's full benefit, and it can be reduced if the spouse starts before their own full retirement age. This is most often useful when one spouse earned much less, or never worked outside the home.
Survivor benefits
When one spouse passes away, the survivor generally steps up to the larger of the two benefits. The smaller one ends. This is one reason couples often look carefully at the higher earner's claiming age. A higher benefit can last for the life of the surviving spouse.
A surviving spouse may be able to begin survivor benefits at an earlier age than regular retirement benefits, with a reduction. Some people choose to take one benefit first and switch to the other later, where the rules allow it.
If you are divorced
An ex-spouse may qualify for a benefit based on the former spouse's record, if the marriage lasted long enough and other conditions are met. Claiming this benefit does not reduce what the former spouse receives.
Questions to ask as a couple
- Which of us has the higher benefit?
- How would the survivor manage on one benefit?
- What other income would be there for the surviving spouse?
- How would taxes change if one filer became single?
The last question surprises many people. A surviving spouse may move to the single filing status, which can mean higher tax on the same income.
Planning as a couple means planning for both of you. If you would like to talk through the choices and the tax side, we are glad to help.
Book a consultationSources and references
This article is general information, not tax or investment advice for your situation. Social Security rules are detailed and change over time. Talk with Social Security and a qualified professional before making decisions.
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