Don’t overlook these 3 Spousal Social Security secrets every retired couple should know

If you and your spouse are in or nearing retirement, Social Security probably plays a huge role in your monthly income. But here’s what many couples don’t realize—how you claim your benefits together can make or break your financial comfort.

Even if one spouse took time away from work or earned less over the years, spousal benefits could unlock a stronger safety net for your golden years. With a little strategy, you could potentially boost your combined benefits and stretch your retirement dollars further.

Here’s what every couple should understand before making one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives.

1. What qualifies you for spousal benefits

The basics of spousal Social Security benefits remain straightforward, but knowing the details can make a substantial difference in your retirement income. You can claim spousal benefits as early as age 62, with one important exception—if you're caring for a disabled child or one younger than 16, you can claim at any age.

The other requirements are simple: your spouse must have already claimed their benefits, and you must have been married for at least one year. Divorced individuals have options too—if you were married for at least 10 years and remain unmarried, you can claim spousal benefits based on your ex-spouse's record, even if they've remarried.

Keep in mind: your spouse must file for their own Social Security before you can apply for a spousal benefit. And the maximum you can receive is 50% of your spouse’s primary insurance amount (PIA)—that’s what they’d get at their full retirement age. So, if their PIA is $2,400, your benefit could reach up to $1,200 per month.

Same-sex couples are fully included under federal law, meaning they have the same rights to both spousal and survivor benefits.

Also read: The $213,000 mistake: The crucial Social Security rule that cost this widow a fortune

2. How timing affects your spousal benefit amount

Just like with your own Social Security, the age you claim spousal benefits can drastically affect what lands in your bank account each month.

Claiming before your full retirement age—between 66 and 67, depending on your birth year—means a smaller check. For example, if your FRA is 67 but you file at 62, you’ll only receive about 65% of the full spousal benefit.

And here’s the key: there’s no advantage to waiting beyond your FRA. Spousal benefits don’t grow after that point, so once you reach your full retirement age, it’s smart to start collecting.

The reduction for claiming early is steeper than it is for your own benefit—about 0.7% per month for the first 36 months before FRA, and 0.4% per month after that. That means claiming at 62 could slash your benefit by roughly 35%.

If you’re eligible for both your own benefit and a spousal benefit, Social Security will pay your own amount first and then “top up” the rest to match the spousal benefit, whichever is higher. You can’t collect both in full.

Here's an important detail that trips up many couples: Unlike regular retirement benefits, spousal benefits don't offer delayed retirement credits beyond your full retirement age. Your maximum spousal benefit is what you qualify for at your FRA. So waiting past your full retirement age won't increase your spousal benefit—it only delays your income.

3. When spousal benefits convert to survivor benefits

Understanding how spousal benefits transition to survivor benefits is crucial for long-term financial planning. When the primary earner passes away, Social Security automatically converts spousal benefits to survivor benefits, which can be much more generous.

Unlike spousal benefits that cap at 50% of your spouse's primary insurance amount, survivor benefits allow you to receive up to 100% of what your deceased spouse was receiving, including any delayed retirement credits they earned. For example, if your spouse delayed their benefits until age 70 and was receiving $3,000 monthly, you'd receive that full $3,000 as a survivor, not the $1,500 maximum you'd get with spousal benefits.

Survivor benefits become available as early as age 60 (or age 50 if you have a disability), provided you were married at least nine months before your spouse's passing. Divorced individuals who were married at least 10 years may also qualify for survivor benefits.

Also read: Three surprising ways your Social Security benefits could be reduced or stopped

Extra tips that can make a big difference

In some cases, you can switch between benefits—for instance, claiming a reduced survivor benefit at 60 and switching to your own, higher benefit at 70. The rules are complex, so it’s always smart to confirm with a Social Security representative or financial planner.

If you or your spouse worked in a government job not covered by Social Security, your benefits could be reduced by the Government Pension Offset (GPO) or Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). These rules are tricky, so double-check before you apply.

And don’t forget about taxes—depending on your income, up to 85% of your Social Security benefits could be taxable. Planning ahead can help you avoid surprises come tax season.

Smart strategies for couples

The elimination of restricted application strategies means today's retirees need to focus on simpler but still effective approaches. The key is coordinating when each spouse claims benefits to maximize your household's lifetime benefits.

Consider this scenario: If you're the lower-earning spouse and your spouse hasn't yet claimed, you might claim your own smaller benefit first. Later, when your spouse claims their larger benefit, you can switch to spousal benefits if they're higher. Social Security will automatically pay you the higher of the two amounts—so if you're receiving $1,000 per month in retirement benefits but could qualify for $1,500 per month in spousal benefits, your total payment would be $1,500 per month.

For couples where one spouse has a significantly higher earnings record, having the lower earner delay claiming until their full retirement age can often maximize the spousal benefit without the permanent reduction penalties.

Also read: Five free or low-cost retirement perks you may be overlooking

Getting help with your decision

Social Security decisions are complex and permanent, so don't hesitate to get professional guidance. If you have any questions about how your spousal benefits could change this year, contact the Social Security Administration for clarification. You can do this online, over the phone, or by making an appointment with your local Social Security office.

The Social Security Administration also provides online calculators and tools to help you estimate different benefit scenarios. Many couples find it helpful to run multiple scenarios—comparing what happens if you claim at 62, at your full retirement age, or at different combinations of timing between spouses.

Remember, the recent legislative changes and annual adjustments show that Social Security continues to evolve. Staying informed about these changes and understanding how they apply to your specific situation can help ensure you're making the most of this important retirement income source.

Read next:

• Avoid these common Social Security mistakes—and make the most of your retirement benefits
• Maximize your Social Security checks: Insider secrets from a former manager!
• Reminder: Social Security’s full retirement age is rising—here’s what to know before your next check

Key Takeaways

• Spousal benefits allow you to claim based on your spouse’s earnings if you don’t qualify for enough on your own, as long as you’ve been married for one year or divorced after a 10-year marriage and remain unmarried.
• Claiming spousal benefits before full retirement age reduces your monthly amount, and there’s no increase for waiting beyond that age.
• When a spouse passes away, spousal benefits can convert to survivor benefits worth up to 100% of their benefit amount.
• You can’t collect both spousal and survivor benefits simultaneously, and early claims reduce overall payments.

Have you or your partner gone through the spousal benefit process? What was the biggest lesson or challenge you discovered? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.