Here's How to Tell if You Qualify for Spousal Social Security Benefits
Social Security is one of the largest social programs in the U.S., and it regularly pays out benefits to tens of millions of Americans. The program can be complex with many different rules and provisions, but there is one area that may be of particular interest to those who fear they qualify for little to no benefits.Specifically, the government allows spouses to claim benefits based on the fact their partner qualifies for and claims Social Security. In this scenario, they don't have to qualify for Social Security benefits on their own. As of April 2025, nearly 2 million spouses of retired workers claimed the spousal benefit. Here's how to tell if you qualify.Before you can qualify for the spousal benefit, your partner needs to be collecting Social Security already. You must also be married for at least one year and at least 62 years old.Continue reading
Social Security is one of the largest social programs in the U.S., and it regularly pays out benefits to tens of millions of Americans. The program can be complex with many different rules and provisions, but there is one area that may be of particular interest to those who fear they qualify for little to no benefits.
Specifically, the government allows spouses to claim benefits based on the fact their partner qualifies for and claims Social Security. In this scenario, they don't have to qualify for Social Security benefits on their own. As of April 2025, nearly 2 million spouses of retired workers claimed the spousal benefit. Here's how to tell if you qualify.
Before you can qualify for the spousal benefit, your partner needs to be collecting Social Security already. You must also be married for at least one year and at least 62 years old.
