Ask the Hammer: What Social Security Benefits are Available to Spouses?

Key Takeaways

• Spouses are entitled to three potential Social Security benefits: their own retirement benefit (based on earnings history), a spousal benefit equal to up to 50% of the higher earner's full retirement age benefit, and a survivor benefit equal to the deceased spouse's benefit at full retirement age
• You must be at least 62 to claim your own retirement or spousal benefits, but only age 60 for survivor benefits (or 50 if disabled); claiming early results in permanent reductions
• When a higher-earning spouse dies, the surviving spouse's spousal benefit ends, but they step into the deceased spouse's larger benefit amount—so the lower earner receives whichever is greater
• For couples with large age gaps, the lower-earning spouse should typically start claiming at 62, because by the time the higher earner passes away (likely in their late 80s or beyond), the survivor benefit becomes the primary income source
• If a surviving spouse remarries before age 60, they lose survivor benefits; if remarried at 60 or older, they can receive the better of their survivor benefit or a new spousal benefit from the new marriage