Many couples assume Social Security spousal benefits are straightforward. In reality, the rules are packed with fine print. Small misunderstandings can quietly reduce monthly checks and, over time, cost tens of thousands of dollars in lifetime income.
As you approach retirement, understanding how these rules affect spousal benefits matters more than ever. Here are seven Social Security spousal rules you need to know to avoid money mistakes. Each one explains how the rule works, why it’s misunderstood, and how overlooking it can lead to lower benefits.
Your claiming age affects spousal benefits
Spousal benefits are not automatically worth 50% of a spouse’s full retirement age benefit. That 50% figure applies only if spousal benefits are claimed at full retirement age. Claim earlier, and your benefits are permanently reduced throughout retirement.
Many couples assume one spouse can claim Social Security early without consequences. The reality is that claiming spousal benefits before full retirement age can substantially reduce payments. While a spouse can retire as early as age 62, the benefit they receive may be as small as 32.5% of their working spouse’s benefits. Benefits are reduced for every month you claim benefits before full retirement age.
When you factor in that full spousal benefits start at 50% of a working spouse’s full retirement benefit, these reductions can dramatically shrink the amount of money you’ll receive each month.
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Spousal benefits require your spouse to file
A spousal benefit is available only after the worker spouse has filed for their own retirement benefit. This rule often surprises couples trying to coordinate their claiming strategies, especially when the non-working spouse is older than the working one.
Many retirees believe one spouse can take spousal benefits while the other delays. That option no longer exists after the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 changed Social Security laws. If the higher-earning spouse delays filing, the spousal benefit is unavailable during that delay.
These Social Security spousal rules affect retirement planning for single-income households or when one spouse earns substantially less than the other. The working spouse may need to claim Social Security benefits earlier than planned, or the couple will need to reduce spending or rely on other sources of income to fill the gap in their budget.
Working can reduce spousal benefits
If spousal benefits are claimed before full retirement age and the spouse continues working, benefits may be temporarily reduced due to the earnings test. Starting at age 62, if you continue working while drawing Social Security, your Social Security benefits are reduced by $1 for every $2 you make above $24,480 per year. In the year you reach full retirement age, you can make up to $65,160 before benefits are reduced by $1 for every $3 you make above the limit.
Many couples overlook this rule, especially when one spouse plans to work in retirement.
Beginning the month you reach full retirement age, the reductions no longer apply, no matter how much you make. While your full monthly benefits are restored once you reach full retirement age, the loss of income could put a strain on your finances.
Divorce does not eliminate spousal eligibility
If you get divorced, you may still qualify for spousal benefits on your ex-spouse’s work history. You may qualify for Social Security spousal benefits if you were married for at least 10 years and have not remarried anyone else. The spousal benefits you are entitled to are not affected if the working spouse remarries or has multiple ex-spouses.
Remarriage rules can reduce household income
Getting remarried stops all benefits paid out on your ex-spouse’s work history. While you may save money by combining households, the loss of income by forfeiting Social Security spousal benefits may negate any savings. For this reason, many retirees choose to live together rather than formalize their relationship through marriage.
Seniors who remarry may qualify for Social Security benefits based on their new spouse’s earnings record after they’ve been married for at least one year.
Your own benefit always comes first
When you qualify for both your own retirement benefit and a spousal benefit, Social Security does not let you choose one or the other. You receive your own benefit first. If the spousal amount is higher, then Social Security does a “top-up” to give you the higher benefit amount.
Many retirees assume they can switch freely between benefits or “file and suspend” their benefits to let them grow while receiving their spousal benefits. This misunderstanding creates unrealistic expectations and can cause disappointment.
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Spousal planning affects lifetime income
The timing of when one spouse claims Social Security doesn’t just affect their own monthly check — it can also influence how much the other spouse ultimately receives.
However, if the second spouse has a solid work history of their own, they aren’t required to claim spousal benefits right away. They can continue working and allow their own Social Security benefit to grow, potentially resulting in a much larger payout than the 50% spousal benefit tied to their partner’s earnings record.
Because these decisions are closely connected, having thoughtful, coordinated conversations about when each spouse should claim benefits can play a major role in shaping your long-term retirement income.
Bottom line
Spousal Social Security benefits should be simple and straightforward. However, they can be tremendously complex when factoring in the Social Security spousal rules.
When trying to maximize your senior benefits, it pays to know the rules around claiming age, earnings history, working in retirement, and other factors. If you get divorced or remarried, the situation becomes even more complex.
In 2026, even small missteps can have long-term financial consequences for couples in retirement. Understanding Social Security spousal rules helps you better protect your retirement income.
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Author Details
Lee Huffman
FinanceBuzz writer Lee Huffman is a former financial planner and corporate finance manager who now writes about early retirement, credit cards, travel, insurance, and other personal finance topics. He enjoys showing people how to travel more, spend less, and live better. When Lee is not getting his passport stamped around the world, he’s researching methods to earn more miles and points toward his next vacation.
