welcome
SmartAsset

SmartAsset

Business

Business & Economics

If I Claim $3,000 in Social Security, Does My Wife Have to Separately File for Her Spousal Benefit?

SmartAsset
Summary
Nutrition label

77% Informative

When you file for Social Security , your spouse becomes eligible for payments known as spousal benefits.

These payments are not deducted from your spouse’s payments, and your spouse cannot alter your right to receive them.

Spouses are eligible to claim benefits as early as age 62 .

Spousal benefits are Social Security payments made based on the higher-earning spouse’s earnings record.

A spouse can receive up to 50% of their spouse's Social Security benefits at full retirement age.

Two people collecting the maximum benefit in 2024 can bring in a household income of almost $117,000 .