If you're married, divorced, or widowed, you may qualify for Social Security benefits based on someone else's earnings record. The rules for spousal benefits and survivor benefits differ, so it's important to understand which benefits you may be eligible to receive.

How do Social Security spousal benefits work?

When someone begins receiving Social Security retirement benefits, their spouse may also qualify for benefits based on that person's earnings record. To be eligible, the spouse generally must be at least age 62 or be caring for the worker's qualifying child. That child must be under age 16 or receive Social Security disability benefits.

Spousal benefits may be available to those who are currently married or who were married but are now divorced. This benefit is equal to one-half the worker’s primary insurance amount. But that amount may be reduced if the spouse is filing prior to full retirement age (there are no delayed retirement credits for filing after this age).

If a spouse qualifies for both a retirement benefit based on their own earnings and a spousal benefit, Social Security will generally pay whichever benefit is higher. 

A divorced spouse whose marriage lasted at least 10 years may qualify for Social Security benefits based on a former spouse's earnings record. Likewise, the former spouse may qualify for benefits based on the other spouse's earnings record. 

How do Social Security survivor benefits work?

Social Security survivor benefits provide monthly payments to spouses and other eligible family members based on the deceased worker's earnings record. 

Upon the death of either spouse, spousal benefits will be increased to the deceased spouse’s full retirement benefit (if it is greater than the surviving spouse’s benefit based on his or her own work history). Survivor benefits are also available for qualifying divorced spouses, children, and dependent parents.

Surviving spouses may be eligible for Social Security survivor benefits if the deceased worker was fully insured and the marriage lasted at least nine months. Other eligibility requirements also apply, such as the surviving spouse's age or whether they are caring for the worker's qualifying child.

Surviving spouses can begin receiving Social Security survivor benefits as early as age 60. But claiming at age 60 permanently reduces the benefit to 71.5% of the amount they could receive if they waited until their full retirement age for survivor benefits.

A surviving spouse who is caring for the deceased worker's child who is under age 16 or has a qualifying disability may receive a survivor benefit equal to 75% of the deceased worker's benefit, regardless of the surviving spouse's age. If the surviving spouse remarries after age 60, they generally remain eligible for survivor benefits, and the child's survivor benefits are not affected.

Getting married at any age younger than 60 will terminate the surviving spousal benefit. Social Security will pay a $255 lump sum death benefit. Learn more about survivor benefits.

Can divorced spouses receive survivor benefits?

Divorced spouses who were married to the worker for 10 years or more are entitled to a spousal benefit the same as any current spouse. A divorced spouse receiving a benefit has no impact either on the worker’s or current spouse’s benefit. Spousal benefits are only available for spouses of workers who are fully insured. To be fully insured, a worker would have paid into the system and earned 40 quarters/credits.

People tend to focus on maximizing their own Social Security benefit without realizing they may also qualify for benefits based on a spouse's or former spouse's earnings record,” explained Ryan Ramsey, NCOA Associate Director of Health Coverage and Benefits. “Take the time to learn about all your available options. That can help ensure you don't leave money on the table."

Log in or create your my Social Security account to estimate your future benefits or manage the benefits you already receive.