In general, a worker needs 40 work credits at the age of 62 to file for Social Security retirement benefits. That is about ten years of work. Nevertheless, this is only possible when you have worked. Many American citizens are not able to work for several reasons. Some have looked after their children, others may have had jobs not covered by SSA or even worked in a different country.
So, who can receive Social Security even if they have never worked before? Spouses may be eligible for benefits on their spouse’s record. Of course, they will have to comply with several requirements.
When can a spouse receive Social Security payments?
If you have never worked, and your spouse has worked enough to get retirement benefits and is about to retire, check it. Once a worker applies for retirement benefits, the spouse may be eligible too.
Obviously, your benefit payment will be based on the worker’s earnings. The Agency states that the spouse must be at least 62 years old. For example, if the worker is 62, but the spouse 61, the spouse is not eligible yet.
Sometimes having a qualifying child may allow you to get Social Security spousal benefits even if you are not 62 years old. SSA explains that a qualifying child is a kid under the age of 16 receiving disability benefits.
How much can Social Security spousal benefits be?
The Administration confirmed that the spousal benefit can be as much as half of the workers’s primary insurance amount. This will depend on the spouse’s retirement age at retirement.
Bear in mind that if the spouse starts collecting Social Security before reaching Full Retirement Age, spousal benefits will be reduced. Having a qualifying child you must look after will allow you to get the full amount, so your benefits will not be reduced.
As of October 2024, the average spousal benefit is worth about $910. For your information, payments to family members do not reduce the worker’s payment amount in retirement.