How Much Social Security Does a Nonworking Spouse Get?

Many families are concerned about Social Security for a nonworking spouse. When one spouse has not worked or has a limited work history, questions about eligibility for benefits often arise. The Social Security Administration offers spousal benefits based on the working spouse’s earnings record. This provides financial support in retirement even for those who have not worked. If you need help 

A financial advisor can work with you to maximize your retirement benefits.

Who Qualifies for Social Security Benefits for a Nonworking Spouse? 

We typically associate Social Security benefits with working individuals who contribute through payroll taxes. However, nonworking spouses may also qualify for benefits under certain conditions. Typically, a non-working spouse can receive benefits based on the working spouse’s earnings record. This provision is designed to support families where one partner may have chosen to stay home.

To qualify for Social Security benefits as a nonworking spouse, you must meet specific criteria. Primarily, you need to be at least 62 years old and married to someone eligible for Social Security retirement or disability benefits. Additionally, your marriage must have lasted at least one year. It’s important to note that the benefits for a nonworking spouse are generally up to 50% of the working spouse’s full retirement amount, provided you claim them at your full retirement age. ¹

Divorce can complicate the eligibility for Social Security benefits for nonworking spouses, but it doesn’t necessarily disqualify you. If you were married for at least ten years and have been divorced for at least two years, you may still be eligible to receive benefits based on your ex-spouse’s earnings record. This is contingent on the fact that you remain unmarried and meet the age requirements. The benefits you receive will not affect the amount your ex-spouse or their current spouse receives.

Remarriage can affect your eligibility for Social Security benefits as a nonworking spouse. If you remarry, you generally cannot claim benefits based on your former spouse’s record unless your subsequent marriage ends. However, you may become eligible for benefits based on your new spouse’s earnings record. It’s crucial to consider these factors when planning your financial future. Especially if you will rely on Social Security benefits as a significant source of retirement income.

Calculating Social Security for a Nonworking Spouse

To determine the exact amount, the Social Security Administration (SSA) first calculates the working spouse’s primary insurance amount (PIA.) What is this social security benefit based on? Primarily their earnings history, years worked and age at retirement. Once this figure is established, the nonworking spouse’s benefit is derived as a percentage of that amount. 

If the nonworking spouse opts to start receiving benefits before reaching full retirement age – which is between 66 and 67 depending on the year of birth – the benefit will be reduced based on the number of months remaining until they reach full retirement age.

For example, if the nonworking spouse claims at age 62, they may receive only about 32.5% of the working spouse’s benefit instead of the full 50%. It’s important to note that the spousal benefit does not increase beyond the 50% threshold, even if the working spouse delays their benefits past full retirement age. ²

Example of Spousal Social Security Benefits

Here’s an example of a couple in their mid-60s. One spouse has worked for 35 years, consistently paying into Social Security, while the other chose to be a stay-at-home parent. As they approach retirement, they are exploring Social Security options for the non-working spouse.

The working spouse’s full retirement age (FRA) is 67, with a monthly Social Security benefit of $2,500. The non-working spouse, with minimal work history, can receive spousal benefits based on the working spouse’s earnings record, up to 50% of the working spouse’s full benefit.

When the non-working spouse reaches their FRA of 67, they can claim a spousal benefit of $1,250 per month. If claimed before FRA, the benefit is reduced. For example, claiming at 62 would result in about 32.5% of the working spouse’s benefit or $812.50 per month.

Spousal benefits may help supplement retirement income, but they are often only one part of the bigger financial picture. SmartAsset’s retirement calculator can help you project your retirement income and estimate how long your savings may last.

Can a Nonworking Spouse Collect If They’re Divorced?

Yes, a nonworking spouse can collect Social Security benefits if they are divorced so long as the marriage is 10 years or more and the non-working spouse is at least 62 years old and currently unmarried.

Additionally, the working spouse must be eligible for Social Security benefits. This provision ensures that non-working spouses who dedicated years to supporting their families without earning their own Social Security credits can still receive financial support in retirement. ³

How to Claim Spousal Benefits

Spousal benefits are a crucial aspect of Social Security that can significantly impact your retirement planning. These benefits allow a spouse to receive up to 50% of the other spouse’s full retirement age benefit, providing an additional source of income during retirement. It’s essential to understand the eligibility criteria and the steps involved in claiming these benefits to maximize your financial security. To claim spousal benefits, you can follow these basic steps:

1. Determine eligibility: Ensure that the working spouse has filed for their own Social Security benefits. The non-working spouse must be at least 62 years old or caring for a child who is under 16 or disabled.
2. Gather necessary documents: Marriage certificates, birth certificates and Social Security numbers for both spouses.
3. Apply online or in person: You can apply for spousal benefits online through the Social Security Administration’s website or by visiting a local Social Security office.
4. Wait for approval: After submitting your application, the Social Security Administration will review your information and notify you of your benefit status. ⁴

Strategically claiming spousal benefits can enhance your retirement income. By understanding the rules and timing your claim appropriately, you can optimize the benefits you receive. It’s advisable to consider all factors, including your health, financial needs, and other retirement income sources, to make an informed decision.

Social Security Survivor Benefits for a Nonworking Spouse

If the working spouse dies, the nonworking spouse may be eligible for survivor benefits through Social Security. Survivor benefits differ from spousal benefits in an important way: while spousal benefits max out at 50% of the working spouse’s full retirement benefit, survivor benefits can be as high as 100% of what the working spouse was receiving or was entitled to receive.

To qualify, the surviving spouse generally must be at least 60 years old, or 50 if disabled. A surviving spouse caring for the deceased spouse’s child under age 16 may qualify at any age. The marriage must have lasted at least nine months, with limited exceptions.

Key Rules

• Benefit amount reflects when the working spouse claimed. If the working spouse claimed early and received a reduced benefit, the survivor benefit will generally reflect that reduction. If the working spouse delayed claiming benefits to lock in a higher payment, the survivor benefit will reflect the higher amount.
• Claiming age affects the survivor benefit. A surviving spouse who claims before full retirement age will receive a reduced amount. Waiting until full retirement age maximizes the survivor benefit.
• Survivors can switch between benefits. A surviving spouse can claim survivor benefits first and switch to their own retirement benefit later, or claim their own benefit first and switch to survivor benefits later. This can be a useful strategy when one benefit is significantly higher than the other.
• Some divorced surviving spouses may also qualify. A surviving ex-spouse may be eligible for survivor benefits if the marriage lasted at least 10 years, they have reached age 60, and they have not remarried prior to that age.

Understanding how survivor benefits work is an important part of retirement planning for couples, particularly when one spouse has little or no work history of their own.

How Claiming Age Affects Lifetime Benefits for Nonworking Spouses

The age at which a nonworking spouse claims Social Security can have a significant impact on total lifetime income. The decision depends on the working spouse’s claiming age, life expectancy, and other sources of retirement income.

Here is how claiming age affects the nonworking spouse’s benefit:

• Claiming at 62. A nonworking spouse can begin receiving spousal benefits as early as 62, but with a permanent reduction in benefits. Claiming at 62 results in approximately 32.5% of the working spouse’s full retirement benefit rather than the maximum 50%. Once reduced, the benefit stays at that lower amount.
• Claiming at full retirement age. Waiting until full retirement age, which is 66 or 67 depending on birth year, allows the nonworking spouse to receive the maximum spousal benefit of 50% of the working spouse’s full retirement amount. For many nonworking spouses, this is the most advantageous time to claim.
• Claiming after full retirement age. Unlike a working spouse’s own retirement benefit, spousal benefits do not grow past full retirement age. Delaying beyond that point provides no additional financial benefit.

The working spouse’s claiming decision also plays a role. A nonworking spouse cannot claim spousal benefits until the working spouse has filed for their own Social Security benefits. If the working spouse delays claiming to build a higher monthly benefit, the nonworking spouse must wait as well. That said, a higher working spouse benefit can translate into a higher survivor benefit if the working spouse dies first. This calculation can play an important role in your estate planning.

Consider a couple where the working spouse delays claiming until age 70 and receives a significantly higher monthly benefit as a result. If the working spouse dies first, the nonworking spouse would be entitled to that higher amount as a survivor benefit. For couples where the nonworking spouse is likely to outlive the working spouse, this tradeoff can make a meaningful difference in long-term financial security.

Bottom Line

Social Security for non-working spouses allows them to claim up to half of their partner’s full retirement benefit. They can start receiving benefits at 62, but waiting until full retirement age increases the amount. Working with a retirement advisor could help you get additional insight into your long-term financial planning.

Tips for Retirement Planning

• A financial advisor can help you create and manage your retirement portfolio. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now. 
• If you want to know how much your retirement savings could grow over time, SmartAsset’s free retirement calculator could help you get an estimate. 

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