Can both husband and wife collect Social Security at the same time?

Asked by: Prof. Austyn Howell PhD  |  Last update: September 6, 2023
Score: 4.5/5 (29 votes)

Each spouse can claim their own retirement benefit based solely on their individual earnings history. You can both collect your full amounts at the same time. However, your spouse's earnings could affect the overall amount you get from Social Security, if you receive spousal benefits.

Is there a maximum combined Social Security benefit for married couples?

The maximum amount of benefits a married couple can receive would be $9,110 if both of them are separately able to claim the maximum amount of $4,555. But there are a lot of caveats and other things to understand about maximizing your Social Security benefits—let's take a deeper dive.

How does Social Security work for married couples?

The spousal benefit can be as much as half of the worker's "primary insurance amount," depending on the spouse's age at retirement. If the spouse begins receiving benefits before "normal (or full) retirement age," the spouse will receive a reduced benefit.

Can I collect Social Security on 2 husbands?

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.

Can my wife take 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.

Biden's Plan for Social Security Survivor Benefits (a new formula!)

21 related questions found

What is the spousal benefit rule for Social Security?

If you're receiving Social Security payments in retirement, your spouse (or former spouse) may qualify to receive up to 50% of the amount of your benefits. These payments don't reduce the value of your Social Security benefits in any way.

What is the 10 year marriage rule for Social Security?

Key Takeaways. A divorced spouse may be eligible to collect Social Security benefits based on the former spouse's work record. The marriage must have lasted for at least 10 years and the divorced spouse must be at least 62 years old.

Can my wife claim 1 2 of my Social Security?

If you're getting Social Security retirement benefits, some members of your family may also qualify to receive benefits on your record. If they qualify, your ex-spouse, spouse, or child may receive a monthly payment of up to one-half of your retirement benefit amount.

Can my wife collect 1 2 of my Social Security?

If you are required to file for both, you generally receive the higher benefit amount. A wife with no work record or low benefit entitlement on her own work record is eligible for between one-third and one-half of her spouse's Social Security benefit.

How do I get the $16728 Social Security bonus?

To acquire the full amount, you need to maximize your working life and begin collecting your check until age 70. Another way to maximize your check is by asking for a raise every two or three years. Moving companies throughout your career is another way to prove your worth, and generate more money.

Do married couples collect two Social Security checks?

Both spouses in a married couple can get full Social Security benefits, at the same time. Married couples get two separate Social Security checks, and there is no "marriage penalty" for Social Security benefits.

Can my wife collect my Social Security while I'm alive?

If you are receiving retirement or disability benefits, your spouse may be eligible for spouse benefits if they are: At least age 62. Any age and caring for a child who is under age 16 or who has a disability that began before age 22.

What is the average Social Security income for a married couple?

How Much Do Married Couples Get On Average from Social Security Alone? As of 2022, the average monthly benefit amount from Social Security for couples was $2,739.10. That works out to about $32,868 in annual income. Of course, the income that you can expect to receive depends a lot on your circumstances.

What is the 5 year rule for Social Security?

The Social Security disability five-year rule allows people to skip a required waiting period for receiving disability benefits if they had previously received disability benefits, stopped collecting those benefits and then became unable to work again within five years.

What is the average Social Security check?

According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), the average monthly retirement benefit for Security Security recipients is $1,781.63 as of February.

Can I collect 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.

When can my spouse draw half of my Social Security?

You can claim spousal benefits as early as age 62, but you won't receive as much as if you wait until your own full retirement age. For example, if your full retirement age is 67 and you choose to claim spousal benefits at 62, you'd receive a benefit that's equal to 32.5% of your spouse's full benefit amount.

At what age is Social Security no longer taxed?

Social Security can potentially be subject to tax regardless of your age. While you may have heard at some point that Social Security is no longer taxable after 70 or some other age, this isn't the case. In reality, Social Security is taxed at any age if your income exceeds a certain level.

Can I collect spousal benefits and wait until I am 67 to collect my own Social Security?

Hi. No, assuming that you were born after January 1 1954. Only people who were born prior to January 2 1954 are allowed to claim spousal benefits without also being required to claim their own benefits at the same time (https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/claiming.html).

Will I lose my ex husband's Social Security if I remarry?

If you began drawing such ex-spousal benefits when you were single but then remarry, those payments will be terminated (except as noted below).

Will I lose my deceased husband's Social Security if I remarry?

If you remarry before age 60 (age 50 if you have a disability), you cannot receive benefits as a surviving spouse while you are married. If you remarry after age 60 (age 50 if you have a disability), you will continue to qualify for benefits on your deceased spouse's Social Security record.

Which spouse should take Social Security first?

If you need to decide which spouse will start collecting Social Security first, or if one spouse should wait a few years, it generally makes sense to use a "split strategy," which means that the higher-earning spouse waits to claim benefits.

Can I switch from spousal benefits to my own Social Security?

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 average Social Security benefit at age 62?

62 Years Old

If people born after 1960 claim their benefits the month they turn 62, they'll get only 70% of what they would have received had they waited until the full retirement age of 67. The average monthly payment of $1,782 drops by 30% during the first month of eligibility to $1,247.40.