Ever wondered if you could switch from your own Social Security benefit to your spouse’s? Maybe you started collecting early at 62 but now realize your spouse’s benefit might give you more money each month. Well I’ve done the research and lemme tell you – it’s not as straightforward as you might think!
Can You Actually Switch From Your Benefit to Spousal Benefits?
The short answer is: it depends on your specific situation.
The truth is that Social Security has very clear rules about when and how you can switch between your own retirement benefits and spousal benefits. I was shocked to learn this myself!
Scenario 1: If Your Spouse Hasn’t Filed for Benefits Yet
If your spouse hasn’t started receiving their Social Security retirement benefits yet, then yes! You can:
- Start claiming your own retirement benefit as early as age 62
- Switch to spousal benefits later when your spouse files for their benefits
In this scenario, Social Security won’t actually pay you both benefits combined (wouldn’t that be nice?). Instead, you’ll receive whichever amount is higher – your retirement benefit or your spousal benefit.
Scenario 2: If Your Spouse Is Already Receiving Benefits
This is where things get tricky. The “deemed filing” rule says that you have to deal with it if your spouse is already getting Social Security when you apply.
Under this rule, you don’t actually have a choice to wait and switch later. When you apply for your own retirement benefits, you’re automatically “deemed” to be applying for spousal benefits at the same time if you qualify for them.
Again, Social Security will only pay you the bigger of the two benefits, not both of them together.
How Much Can You Get From Spousal Benefits?
We all want to know about the money, right? So here’s the scoop:
The maximum spousal benefit is 50% of your husband or wife’s “primary insurance amount.” This is the retirement benefit they’re entitled to at their full retirement age.
For people born in:
- 1958: Full retirement age is 66 and 8 months
- 1959: Full retirement age is 66 and 10 months
- 1960 or later: Full retirement age is 67
If you wait until you reach full retirement age to start collecting benefits, you can get the maximum amount. If you file earlier, that amount gets reduced.
Here’s the kicker – even if you started with your own benefit early (like at 62) and switch to spousal benefits later when you reach full retirement age, your total payment will still be less than half of your spouse’s primary insurance amount. This is because your initial claim was early, and that early filing reduction sticks with you.
Exceptions to the Deemed Filing Rule
There are actually a couple of exceptions where you can file what’s called a “restricted application” just for spousal benefits:
- You’re caring for a child who is under 16 or disabled
- You qualify for Social Security disability benefits
If either of these apply to your situation, the rules are different and you may have more options.
How to Apply for Spousal Benefits
If you’ve decided that switching to spousal benefits makes sense for your situation, here’s how you can apply:
- Online: If you’re within 3 months of turning 62 or older, you can apply online through the Social Security website
- By phone: Call the national toll-free service at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778)
- In person: Visit your local Social Security office
While appointments aren’t required, scheduling one ahead might save you some waiting time. Trust me, those offices can get busy!
Documents You’ll Need When Applying
Before you head to the Social Security office or hop online, make sure you’ve got these documents ready:
- Birth certificate or other proof of birth
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status (if not born in the U.S.)
- Military discharge papers (if you served before 1968)
- W-2 forms and/or self-employment tax returns from last year
- Final divorce decree (if applying as a divorced spouse)
- Marriage certificate
Don’t worry if you don’t have all these documents handy. Social Security can help you get them, but having them ready will make the process smoother.
Questions Social Security Will Ask You
When you apply, be prepared to answer questions about:
- Your personal info (name, SSN, date and place of birth)
- Your citizenship status
- Previous applications for any Social Security benefits
- Military service history
- Work history, including railroad industry employment
- International work credits
- Federal, state or local government pensions
- Your current marital status and info about your spouse
- Information about any former spouses
- Details about unmarried children under 18, in school, or disabled
- Employment and earnings information
- When you want benefits to begin
- Medicare enrollment (if you’re near age 65)
It’s also smart to bring your banking info for direct deposit setup. Nobody wants to deal with lost or stolen checks!
Real Talk: Is Switching to Spousal Benefits Worth It?
This is the million-dollar question (well, hopefully not quite that much lol). Whether switching makes sense depends entirely on your personal situation.
If your own Social Security benefit is significantly lower than half of your spouse’s benefit, switching could potentially increase your monthly income. But remember, if you filed for your own benefits early, that reduction follows you even when you switch to spousal benefits.
For example, let’s say your spouse is entitled to $2,000 monthly at full retirement age. The max spousal benefit would be $1,000 (50% of $2,000). But if you filed for your own benefits at 62 and later switched to spousal benefits, you’d get less than that $1,000 due to the early filing reduction.
Common Misconceptions About Switching Benefits
In my research, I noticed a lot of confusion about this topic. Let me clear up some common misunderstandings:
-
“I can collect both my benefit AND a spousal benefit.”
Nope! Social Security will only pay the higher of the two amounts, not both. -
“I can switch to spousal benefits whenever I want.”
If your spouse is already receiving benefits when you apply, the deemed filing rule means you’re automatically applying for both benefits simultaneously. -
“Switching to spousal benefits later will erase my early filing penalty.”
Unfortunately, that early filing reduction sticks with you, even when switching to spousal benefits. -
“I can’t get spousal benefits if I’m divorced.”
Actually, you might qualify for ex-spouse benefits if you were married for at least 10 years, are currently unmarried, and meet other requirements.
Final Thoughts
Navigating Social Security benefits can feel like trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces. The rules are complex, and what works best really depends on your unique situation.
If you’re considering switching from your benefit to a spousal benefit, I’d highly recommend:
- Calculating both benefit amounts to see which would be higher
- Considering the impact of filing age on your benefits
- Consulting with a financial advisor who specializes in retirement planning
- Contacting Social Security directly to discuss your specific situation
Remember, the decisions you make about Social Security can impact your financial well-being for the rest of your life. It’s worth taking the time to understand your options and make the choice that will provide the most security for your future.
Have you tried to switch between benefits? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!
Disclaimer: While I’ve done my best to provide accurate information, Social Security rules are complex and subject to change. Always verify current policies with the Social Security Administration before making important decisions about your benefits.
Can I Switch to My Spouses Social Security Later?
FAQ
Can I switch from my own benefits to spousal benefits?
… before your higher-earning spouse does, you have the option of switching to spousal benefits at a later date when (or after) your spouse decides to file.
Why isn’t my wife’s spousal benefit 50% of my Social Security retirement benefit?
Your wife’s spousal benefit isn’t 100% of your benefit because it’s the maximum of 100% of your primary insurance amount (PIA) at full retirement age (FRA), not the amount you’re getting now. Her benefit may also be reduced if she claims it before her FRA, if she’s eligible for a higher benefit on her own record, or if you claimed your own benefits before your FRA. She will receive the higher of her own benefit or the calculated spousal amount, not both.
Can you collect both spousal benefits and your own Social Security?
You don’t get both your own Social Security benefit and the full spousal benefit at the same time. Instead, you get a payment equal to the higher of the two benefits.
What is the spousal benefit rule for Social Security?
Social Security spousal benefits allow a spouse (or ex-spouse) to receive benefits based on their partner’s earnings record, which can be up to 50% of their partner’s full retirement age benefit. To qualify, you generally must be at least 62 years old, married for at least one year (or 10 years for divorced spouses), and your spouse must be receiving their own benefits (or be eligible to).
When can I switch from social security to spousal benefits?
Only if your spouse is not yet receiving retirement benefits. In this case, you can claim your own Social Security beginning at 62 and make the switch to spousal benefits when your husband or wife files. You won’t get the sum of your retirement and spousal benefits from Social Security. Instead, you’ll get the most money from the two benefits.
How do I get spousal Social Security benefits?
In order to receive spousal Social Security benefits, you must: When you apply for spousal benefits, the Social Security Administration calculates your benefits based on your own work and earnings record as well. If you’re eligible to receive your retirement benefit as well as spousal benefits, then you’d get the higher of the two.
Can a spouse switch to spousal benefits?
When your spouse files for their benefit later you could switch to spousal benefits. That could potentially increase the total amount of benefits you receive as a couple if they’re waiting until age 70 to start taking benefits. What if your spouse is already receiving their Social Security benefits?
Does social security pay spousal benefits?
Social Security will not pay the sum of your retirement and spousal benefits; you’ll get a payment equal to the higher of the two benefits. If your spouse is already getting Social Security when you claim benefits, you are subject to the “deemed filing” rule. Under this provision, you don’t have a choice whether to wait and switch.
How does spousal Social Security work?
The benefit is based on their spouse’s contributions to Social Security and is capped at 50% of their benefit amount at full retirement age. For example, if they were to receive $2,200 per month at full retirement age, their spousal benefit would max out at $1,100 per month. In order to receive spousal Social Security benefits, you must:
How can a spouse maximize social security benefits?
Either spouse can maximize their regular Social Security benefit amount by waiting past their full-retirement age to apply, up to age 70. Benefits generally increase 8% each year filing is delayed.