Here’s how to know if you qualify for Social Security spousal benefits

Social Security spousal benefits are designed to provide additional retirement income, particularly in situations where one spouse was the primary earner or earned a relatively high level of income. Nearly 2 million Americans receive a spousal benefit, and while qualifying for one isn’t exactly difficult, there are a few specific boxes that must be checked before a spousal benefit can be paid.

Qualification 1: You are married to someone who qualifies for Social Security

In simple terms, Social Security spousal benefits exist to provide retirement income for couples where one spouse was the primary earner. So the first qualification is an easy one: At least one spouse in a married couple must be eligible for a Social Security retirement benefit based on their work history in Social Security-covered work.

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Qualification 2: You are at least 62 years old

Like Social Security retirement benefits, you generally have to be at least 62 years old to claim a spousal benefit. The same full retirement age applies, which is 67 for those born in 1960 or later, and like pension benefits, there is a reduction if you claim spousal benefits before reaching retirement age.

However, it’s worth noting that unlike the Social Security retirement age, spousal benefits are not increased if you wait past full retirement age. So here’s a Social Security tip you might not be aware of: If someone plans to collect a spousal benefit on your employment record, it’s rarely worth waiting past that person’s full retirement age to get your claim the benefit.

Qualification 3: Your spouse must be collecting a Social Security benefit

The last sentence brings us to the third qualification. To collect a spousal benefit, the primary earner must collect his or her own Social Security retirement benefit. That wasn’t always the case, but Congress closed a big loophole a few years ago.

Qualification 4: Your Social Security benefit is less than your spousal benefit

As a final point, it is important to realize that a spousal benefit may be payable instead of a social security benefit based on your own employment case. When you apply for Social Security, the SSA will calculate how much you would be entitled to on your own, as well as how much you would receive based on your spouse’s work record, and pay the higher of the two.

I’ve seen this in action recently as both of my parents are in the process of applying for Social Security. My mom was a stay-at-home parent to me and my two younger siblings, but she started working at least part-time in her 30s. As it turns out, the spousal benefit was still the higher of the two, but the calculation was closer than my parents thought it would be. The Social Security benefit formula is heavily weighted in favor of those who have earned relatively little income over their careers, so in many cases married couples with a wide income gap are surprised to learn that the biggest benefits are on their own work files.

How much spousal benefit will you get?

A spousal benefit can be up to half of the highest earner’s Primary Insurance Amount (PIA), which is the amount that person would receive if they started collecting Social Security at full retirement age. There are about 1.9 million people receiving a spousal benefit, with an average monthly benefit of about $912.

If you want to get a good estimate of what to expect, it might be a good idea for both you and your spouse to check your most recent Social Security statement. Just create an account at SSA.gov and you’ll find a wealth of valuable information, including benefit estimates that are based on your actual work record.