Spousal benefits can reach 50%

You can claim up to 50% of your spouse's Social Security benefit at their full retirement age. This is an alternative path to retirement income beyond your own earnings record.

Full retirement age is the key

For anyone born in 1960 or later, full retirement age is 67. You can claim spousal benefits as early as 62, but waiting until 67 unlocks your maximum 50% benefit.

Early claiming costs you big

If your spouse gets $2,000 monthly, your maximum spousal benefit is $1,000 at full retirement age. Filing early could permanently shrink that to significantly less.

Don't wait past full retirement age

Unlike your own Social Security benefits, spousal benefits don't grow after your full retirement age. Delaying past 67 won't increase your monthly checks.

“There's no sense in waiting past FRA in that case.”

Your spouse's delay helps you

While delaying your own spousal claim doesn't help, having your spouse delay their claim could increase your eventual benefit amount.

Survivor benefits upgrade your check

If your spouse passes away while you're collecting spousal benefits, your monthly payments upgrade to match what your spouse was receiving at the time of death.

Know the rules before retiring

Spousal benefits work differently than benefits based on your own earnings. Understanding these differences now prevents costly mistakes later.