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<\/p>\nMarried couples that don’t understand spousal benefits could miss out on income in retirement.<\/p>\n
Social Security spousal benefits are a common source of confusion. Nationwide Retirement Institute’s 2025 Social Security Survey revealed the following:<\/p>\n
30% of adults incorrectly marked this statement as false: Social Security may offer benefits for your spouse.
\n50% of adults incorrectly marked this statement as false: If you’re divorced, you may be eligible for Social Security benefits based on your ex-spouse’s record.<\/p>\n
Those knowledge gaps could lead to costly financial mistakes. Here are four things retired couples need to know about Social Security spousal benefits in 2026.<\/p>\n
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Image source: Getty Images.<\/p>\n
1. Spouses can claim Social Security on their partner’s work record<\/p>\n
Social Security<\/a> retirement benefits are available to retired workers and spouses<\/a>, even when the spouse has no work history. Spouses can claim benefits based on the earnings record of their retired partner under these conditions:<\/p>\n The couple has been married for at least one year. In some cases, spouses will be entitled to retired-worker benefits based on their own earnings record, and spousal benefits based on the earnings record of their retired partner. In that case, the higher benefit will be awarded automatically.<\/p>\n 2. Spouses maximize their Social Security benefit by claiming at full retirement age<\/p>\n How much Social Security income spouses receive depends on their claim age and the primary insurance amount<\/a> (PIA) of their retired partner. PIA refers to the benefit a retired worker will get if they start Social Security at full retirement age<\/a> (FRA), which is age 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later.<\/p>\n At most, spousal benefits equal 50% of the retired partner’s PIA. To get that maximum payout, the spouse must delay Social Security until FRA. Spouses who claim before FRA will get a smaller payout (less than 50% of the retired partner’s PIA). The exact reduction depends on how many months early benefits begin, but it would be most severe at 62, the earliest possible claim age.<\/p>\n The chart shows the spousal benefit (as a percentage of the retired partner’s PIA) at different claim ages for anyone born in 1960 or later.<\/p>\n Age<\/p>\n Social Security Benefit<\/p>\n 62<\/p>\n 32.5%<\/p>\n 63<\/p>\n 35%<\/p>\n 64<\/p>\n 37.5%<\/p>\n 65<\/p>\n 41.7%<\/p>\n 66<\/p>\n 45.8%<\/p>\n 67<\/p>\n 50%<\/p>\n Data source: The Social Security Administration. Note: The percentages shown above represent spousal benefits as a portion of the partner’s PIA.<\/p>\n Importantly, whereas retired workers earn delayed retirement credits that increase their benefit when they claim Social Security later than FRA, the same does not apply to spouses.<\/p>\n
\nThe spouse is at least 62 years old.
\nThe partner is receiving retirement benefits.<\/p>\n