If you do have enough credits to qualify for your own Social Security benefits and you apply for your own retirement benefits and for benefits as a spouse, we always pay your own benefits first. Your spouse doesn’t need to have a work history with Social Security at all in order to qualify for benefits on your record as long as they are at least 62 years of age, and are receiving or eligible for retirement or disability benefits. If you were born on or before Jan. 1, 1954, once you reach your FRA, you can choose to receive only the spousal benefit by filing a restricted application. Birth certificate or other proof of birth; Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status if you were not born in the United States [. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. There are many factors to think about before claiming Social Security benefits. I waited until age 70 to file for Social Security benefits myself so I now draw retirement benefits that include delayed credits. You can help by being ready to: Applying for Spousal Benefits You can apply for spousal benefits online at the Social Security Administration (SSA) website, over the phone, or by making an appointment at … Final divorce decree, if applying as a divorced spouse; and. Your benefits will be deposited onto the card account on your payment date each month. They can help you get them. If you’re thinking about your golden years, you may have questions like “What spousal benefits does Social Security provide?” Social Security’s benefit to your spouse is called the “spousal benefit,” and the benefit may apply to a current spouse, widowed spouse, or ex-spouse if you’re divorced. You can find out your NRA, and the NRA of your spouse, at. Although it isn't required, it will decrease your wait time. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. U.S. military discharge paper(s) if you had military service before 1968; W-2 forms(s) and/or self-employment tax returns for last year. Social Security’s benefit to your spouse is called the “spousal benefit,” and the benefit may apply to a current spouse, widowed spouse, or ex-spouse if you’re divorced. You are eligible for Social Security disability benefits. However, claimants should take an RIB application in a reduced benefit situation when the spouse is insured for RIB as the "deemed filing" provision applies. Important: If your husband or wife receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you cannot get spousal disability benefits. However, if your spouse was in the workforce longer than you or made more money, spousal benefits could add to the overall benefits you receive. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. She received her JD from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2006. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. If you are within 3 months of age 65, whether you want to enroll in Medical Insurance (Part B of Medicare). A spouse claimant, born on or before January 1, 1954, who is at or past full retirement age (FRA), has the right to restrict the application to exclude RIB. Tip: If you decide to go to the local Social Security office in person, you might want to call ahead and schedule an appointment. Remember, in that case, it’s between 32.5% and 50% of the higher-earning spouse’s full retirement age benefit, depending on your filing age. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. This provision is called a “Restricted application for Spousal Benefit” and it allows you to apply for benefits based on your spouse’s record while delaying your own social security … Then you’ll probably qualify for spousal benefits. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. You file a restricted application for spousal benefits only. To apply for spouse's disability benefits, the eligible party must complete an application through the Social Security Administration's website, over the phone or at a local SSA office. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}, How to Apply for Spousal Social Security Benefits, https://www.ssa.gov/oact/ProgData/nra.html, https://fiscal.treasury.gov/GoDirect/about-faq/FMS_Form_1201W_March_2014.pdf, https://www.aarp.org/retirement/social-security/questions-answers/spouse-social-security/, https://www.aarp.org/retirement/social-security/questions-answers/spousal-and-retirement-social-security-benefits/, https://blog.ssa.gov/understanding-spouses-benefits/, https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/divspouse.html, https://faq.ssa.gov/en-US/Topic/article/KA-02011, https://fiscal.treasury.gov/GoDirect/social-security-federal-benefits-direct-deposit/directexpress/index.html, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow, The amount of your spousal benefit isn't affected by the age at which your spouse started receiving their retirement benefits. Social Security spousal benefits are a part of a worker’s retirement or disability benefit given to their spouse. There is a relatively unknown provision that could significantly increase your social security benefits. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This article was written by Jennifer Mueller, JD. If you don't feel comfortable mailing these documents, you can take them in person to your local SSA office. It’s important to consider how the spousal benefit is affected by early retirement. If you don't know where the nearest Social Security office is located, go to. An appointment is not required, but if you call ahead and schedule one, it may reduce the time you spend waiting to apply. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. We will help you get them. Your Social Security number or claim number, Your financial institution's routing transit number, Your account number and account type (checking or savings). If you are between the age of 62 and your normal retirement age, the amount of spousal benefits you receive is reduced by a percentage that is based on the number of months until you reach normal retirement age. You were born before Jan. 2, 1954. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. 844-422-SSHQ This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. You must be at least 61 years and 9 months old and want your benefits to start no more than four months in the future. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. If you're eligible for your own retirement benefits, you'll get those first. You are caring for a child who is under 16 or disabled. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. This makes you eligible to file a “restricted application,” which allows you to collect a spousal benefit while … Your spouse may be eligible to receive Social Security benefits on your record. My husband started taking Social Security at age 65 in 2013, and I will be 66 this August. For example, suppose you are eligible for $200 a month in retirement benefits. Spousal benefits are an important feature of Social Security, and are currently collected by nearly 2.4 million spouses of retired workers. Any additional benefits for which you may qualify (e.g. Jennifer reviews, fact-checks, and evaluates wikiHow's legal content to ensure thoroughness and accuracy. If "Yes," we will also ask the date you became unable to work; Whether you were ever in the active military service before 1968 and, if so, the dates of service and whether you have ever been eligible to receive a monthly benefit from a military or Federal civilian agency; Whether you or your spouse have ever worked for the railroad industry; Whether you have earned Social Security credits under another country's social security system; Whether you qualified for or expect to receive a pension or annuity based on your own employment with the Federal government of the United States or one of its States or local subdivisions; Whether you are currently married and, if so, your spouse's name, date of birth (or age) and Social Security number (if known). If you can't apply online or don't want to use the online form, you can also call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Spousal benefits are based on the income earned during a qualifying worker’s life, as well as the retirement age of both the worker and their spouse. Spousal benefits allow you to get up to 50 percent of the total benefits your spouse is eligible for without taking away from their benefits. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Economic Security Planning, Inc. Today's column addresses questions about applying for spousal benefits only while delaying retirement benefits, when someone can become eligible for … Find out if your spouse has claimed their benefits. References. That is, you are \"free\" to take a spousal benefit while letting your own retirement benefit continue to grow. If you mail documents, you may want to send them using certified mail with return receipt requested, particularly if you're sending original documents. When you reach age 70, contact Social Security and request that they lift the restriction and pay you your benefits, including the DRCs. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. You can file by phone or in-person by contacting your nearest Social Security office, or by calling 1-800-772-1213. You have reached your full retirement age. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. You can also complete an application in person at your local Social Security office. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Married people can use different strategies to increase their benefits by timing their claims with each other. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws.

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