Do Married Couples Both Receive Their Social Security? Complete Guide for Couples

Yes, Married Couples Can Both Receive Social Security Benefits!

If you’re approaching retirement age and wondering about Social Security benefits for you and your spouse I’ve got good news for you. The simple answer is YES – both spouses in a marriage can absolutely receive Social Security benefits simultaneously. But there’s a lot more to understand about how this works and how you can maximize your benefits as a couple.

As someone who has done a lot of research on this subject, I’d like to share what I know about married couples and Social Security. It’s not a one-size-fits-all situation, and making smart choices together can have a big effect on your retirement income.

The Basics: How Social Security Works for Married Couples

First things first – let’s clear up a common misconception. There is no penalty for getting married and benefits are always given to married people. The Social Security Administration’s booklet “5 Things Every Woman Should Know About Social Security” makes this very clear. “.

Here’s what you need to know:

• If both you and your spouse have worked and earned enough credits individually (minimum of 40 work credits, which equals about 10 years of work), you’ll each get your own Social Security benefit.
• Each spouse can collect benefits based on their own individual earnings records.
• The timing of when each spouse claims benefits affects the monthly amount received.
• You don’t have to start collecting benefits at the same time as your spouse.

For instance, if you are eligible for $1,200 a month in Social Security benefits and your spouse is eligible for $1,400 a month, you will both get $2,600 a month in retirement benefits.

Options for Married Couples Claiming Social Security

When it comes to claiming Social Security as a married couple, you have several options to consider:

Option 1: Both spouses claim based on their own work records

If both of you have worked and paid into Social Security for at least 10 years, you can each claim benefits based on your individual work histories. The amount you’ll receive depends on your lifetime earnings and the age at which you claim.

Option 2: One spouse claims a spousal benefit

If one spouse has a significantly lower benefit amount or hasn’t worked enough to qualify for their own benefit, they might be eligible to receive up to 50% of their spouse’s benefit amount at full retirement age. This is known as a “spousal benefit.”

Option 3: Strategic timing of claims

For couples who want to get the most out of their lifetime benefits, one spouse may claim early while the other waits until age 70 to claim.

Important Rules About Spousal Benefits

If you’re considering claiming spousal benefits, here are some important things to know:

1. You must be at least 62 years old to claim spousal benefits.
2. You and your spouse must have been married for at least one year in most cases.
3. Your spouse must already be receiving their own Social Security benefits before you can claim spousal benefits.
4. At age 62, you can receive spousal benefits equal to about 32.5% of your spouse’s full retirement age benefit amount.
5. If you wait until your full retirement age, you can receive 50% of your spouse’s benefit.
6. Any benefits paid to a spouse DO NOT reduce the primary earner’s payment.

The Deemed Filing Rule

Here’s something that might affect your claiming strategy. The Social Security Administration has a rule called “deemed filing,” which means when you apply for either your retirement benefit or a spousal benefit, you’re deemed to be filing for both benefits at the same time.

You’ll receive the higher of the two benefit amounts, not both combined. This rule prevents people from claiming one benefit while letting the other one grow.

Before 2015, some strategies allowed spouses to receive spousal benefits at full retirement age while letting their retirement benefits grow, but the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 eliminated this “double dipping” possibility for most people.

What Happens If You’re Due Two Benefits?

According to the Social Security Administration, if you’re eligible for benefits on both your own work record and your spouse’s work record, you’ll generally receive the higher benefit amount, not both.

Here’s how it works:

• Your own retirement benefit is paid first
• If your spousal benefit would be higher, you’ll get an additional amount to bring your total up to the spousal benefit level
• Most working women who reach retirement age receive their own Social Security benefit because it’s typically more than the spousal benefit would be

Strategies to Maximize Your Benefits as a Couple

When deciding how to claim Social Security as a couple, consider these strategies:

Both Claim at Full Retirement Age (FRA)

By waiting until your full retirement age (66-67 depending on birth year), you’re guaranteed 100% of your benefits. This is a solid, middle-of-the-road approach.

Both Claim Early (age 62)

This might make sense if:

• You need the income immediately
• You have health concerns or shorter life expectancy
• You want to retire early and need the income

Remember though, claiming early permanently reduces your monthly benefit by up to 30%.

Higher-Earning Spouse Delays, Lower-Earning Claims Earlier

This “62/70 split” strategy can be very effective:

• The spouse with the lower lifetime earnings starts claiming at 62
• The higher-earning spouse delays until 70 to maximize their benefit
• This increases both the higher earner’s benefit and potentially survivor benefits

Both Delay Claiming

This works well if:

• You both plan to continue working
• You expect to live long lives
• You have similar incomes
• You don’t need the money immediately

For every year you delay taking Social Security beyond your full retirement age (up to age 70), you can receive up to 8% more in monthly payments!

A Real-Life Example

Let me show you how this might work with a hypothetical couple:

George and Frances are both 62 with a full retirement age of 66 and 8 months. At FRA, each would receive $2,000 monthly. But they have health concerns and expect to live only to about age 72.

If they claim at 62:

• Monthly benefit: $1,500 each (25% reduction)
• Annual benefits: $18,000 each
• Total over 10 years (ages 62-72): $180,000 each or $360,000 combined

If they wait until FRA (66 and 8 months):

• Monthly benefit: $2,000 each
• Annual benefits: $24,000 each
• Total over 5.3 years (ages 66.8-72): $120,000 each or $240,000 combined

In this scenario, claiming early at 62 actually results in more lifetime benefits ($360,000 vs $240,000) because of their shorter life expectancy. This shows why your health and longevity expectations are crucial factors in your decision!

What About Divorced or Widowed Spouses?

The Social Security rules also accommodate divorced and widowed spouses:

For divorced individuals:

• If you were married for at least 10 years and haven’t remarried, you may be eligible for benefits based on your ex-spouse’s record.
• You must be unmarried and not entitled to a higher benefit on your own record.
• Any benefits paid to a divorced spouse DO NOT reduce payments to the ex or their current spouse.
• Most divorced women collect their own Social Security while the ex is alive but can apply for higher widow’s rates when the ex dies.

For widows/widowers:

• A widow is eligible for between 71% (at age 60) and 100% (at full retirement age) of what the spouse was receiving.
• The Social Security Administration pays your own retirement benefit first, then supplements it with whatever extra benefits you’re due as a widow, bringing your total up to the widow’s rate.
• A $255 lump sum death payment is also available if you were living with your spouse when they died.

Planning Tips for Couples

Here are some practical tips for married couples planning their Social Security strategy:

1. Check your earnings records. Make sure your Social Security earnings records are accurate for both spouses.

2. Calculate different scenarios. Use the Social Security Administration’s calculators or work with a financial advisor to run different claiming scenarios.

3. Consider your health and family history. Your expected lifespan should influence when you claim benefits.

4. Look at your overall retirement plan. Social Security is just one piece of your retirement income puzzle.

5. Understand how working affects benefits. If you claim before full retirement age and continue working, some benefits may be temporarily withheld.

Final Thoughts

The decision of when and how to claim Social Security benefits as a married couple can significantly impact your financial well-being in retirement. While the rules might seem complicated, understanding your options can help you make choices that maximize your benefits.

Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all strategy – the best approach depends on your specific circumstances, including your health, financial needs, and retirement goals.

Have you started planning your Social Security claiming strategy with your spouse? It’s never too early to start thinking about it, even if retirement is still years away.