Can you collect 1/2 of spouse's Social Security and then your full amount?

Asked by: Miss Pearl Gaylord  |  Last update: February 9, 2022
Score: 4.9/5 (27 votes)

Your full spouse's benefit could be up to one-half the amount your spouse is entitled to receive at their full retirement age. If you choose to begin receiving spouse's benefits before you reach full retirement age, your benefit amount will be permanently reduced.

Can I collect spousal benefit and wait until I am 70 to collect my own Social Security?

You can only collect spousal benefits and wait until 70 to claim your retirement benefit if both of the following are true: You were born before Jan. 2, 1954. Your spouse is collecting his or her own Social Security retirement benefit.

Can I take my Social Security at 62 and then switch to spousal benefit?

Only if your spouse is not yet receiving retirement benefits. In this case, you can claim your own Social Security beginning at 62 and make the switch to spousal benefits when your husband or wife files. ... Again, Social Security will pay the greater of the two benefit amounts.

Can I switch from spousal benefits to my own?

You will have to file an application to switch from survivor benefits on a late spouse's work record to retirement benefits on your own record. You should apply four months before you want your retirement benefit to start.

Can you collect spousal benefits and your own Social Security?

En español | Technically, yes, you can receive both spousal benefits and your own retirement payment. ... That's because when you are eligible for two kinds of benefit, Social Security does not combine them but rather compares one to the other. If your retirement benefit is higher, you receive that amount.

Calculating Social Security Spousal Benefits with Dual Entitlement

45 related questions found

Can you collect Social Security on two spouses?

Yes, you can. Notify the Social Security Administration that you were married more than once and may qualify for benefits on more than one spouse's earnings record. ... You can collect between 71.5 percent to 100 percent of the late spouse's payment, depending on your age when you claim survivor benefits.

What are the rules for spousal benefits of Social Security?

You can receive up to 50% of your spouse's Social Security benefit. You can apply for benefits if you have been married for at least one year. If you have been divorced for at least two years, you can apply if the marriage lasted 10 or more years. Starting benefits early may lead to a reduction in payments.

Can I collect widows benefits and then switch to my own Social Security?

If a person receives widow's or widower's benefits, and will qualify for a retirement benefit that's more than their survivors benefit, they can switch to their own retirement benefit as early as age 62 or as late as age 70.

Can I collect half of my husband's Social Security at 62 and still work?

You can collect spousal benefits as early as age 62, but in most cases, the benefits are reduced permanently if you start collecting early. If your own work history earns a higher benefit, you'll receive that amount rather than the spousal benefit.

What is full retirement for Social Security?

Full retirement age is the age when you can start receiving your full retirement benefit amount. The full retirement age is 66 if you were born from 1943 to 1954. The full retirement age increases gradually if you were born from 1955 to 1960, until it reaches 67.

Can I take my husband's Social Security instead of mine?

As a spouse, you can claim a Social Security benefit based on your own earnings record, or collect a spousal benefit in the amount of 50% of your spouse's Social Security benefit, but not both. You are automatically entitled to receive whichever benefit provides you the higher monthly amount.

How does taking Social Security early affect spousal benefit?

A spouse can choose to retire as early as age 62, but doing so may result in a benefit as little as 32.5 percent of the worker's primary insurance amount. A spousal benefit is reduced 25/36 of one percent for each month before normal retirement age, up to 36 months.

What happens when both spouses collect Social Security and one dies?

If you are already receiving a spousal benefit when your husband or wife dies, Social Security will in most cases convert it automatically to a survivor benefit once the death is reported. Otherwise, you will need to apply for survivor benefits by phone at 800-772-1213 or in person at your local Social Security office.

At what age is Social Security no longer taxed?

At 65 to 67, depending on the year of your birth, you are at full retirement age and can get full Social Security retirement benefits tax-free.

How does my wife apply for half of my Social Security?

Form SSA-2 | Information You Need to Apply for Spouse's or Divorced Spouse's Benefits. You can apply: Online, if you are within 3 months of age 62 or older, or. By calling our national toll-free service at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visiting your local Social Security office.

How do I switch from my husband's Social Security to my own?

You will have to file an application to switch from survivor benefits on a late spouse's work record to retirement benefits on your own record. You should apply four months before you want your retirement benefit to start.

What is the difference between survivor benefits and widow benefits?

Survivor benefits would be based on the worker's reduced benefit, not their FRA benefit if the deceased worker had applied for early benefits. ... The widow(er) could claim a survivor benefit equal to 71.5% of the deceased worker's benefit stepping up to 100% if they filed at their FRA.

Is a widow entitled to husband's Social Security?

For Your Widow Or Widower

There are about four million widows and widowers receiving monthly Social Security benefits based on their deceased spouse's earnings record. ... Widows and widowers can receive: Reduced benefits as early as age 60.

Can I collect my 1st husband's Social Security?

Yes. You are eligible to collect spousal benefits on a living former wife's or husband's earnings record as long as: The marriage lasted at least 10 years.

What is the max Social Security benefit for 2021?

The $3,895 maximum Social Security benefit in 2021 is more than double the average benefit and provides a generous $46,740 in annual income. While this may sound like a nice amount of money as a senior, very few people end up maxing out their Social Security checks.

How much Social Security does spouse get when husband dies?

Widow or widower, full retirement age or older — 100% of the deceased worker's benefit amount. Widow or widower, age 60 — full retirement age — 71½ to 99% of the deceased worker's basic amount. Widow or widower with a disability aged 50 through 59 — 71½%.

When a husband dies what is the wife entitled to?

Upon one partner's death, the surviving spouse may receive up to one-half of the community property. If there is no will or trust, then surviving spouses may also inherit the other half of the community property, and take up to one-half of the deceased spouse's separate property.

Is Social Security based on the last 5 years of work?

Social Security benefits are based on your lifetime earnings. Your actual earnings are adjusted or “indexed” to account for changes in average wages since the year the earnings were received. Then Social Security calculates your average indexed monthly earnings during the 35 years in which you earned the most.

Can I retire at 55 and collect Social Security?

So can you retire at 55 and collect Social Security? The answer, unfortunately, is no. The earliest age to begin drawing Social Security retirement benefits is 62. ... Once you turn 62, you could claim Social Security retirement benefits but your earnings from consulting work could affect how much you collect.

Is it better to take Social Security at 62 or 67?

You can begin collecting your Social Security benefits as early as age 62, but you'll get smaller monthly payments for the rest of your life if you do. Even so, claiming benefits early can be a sensible choice for people in certain circumstances.