More than 70 million Americans receive money from the Social Security Administration. However, there are many that do not know they could get some money in the future.
If you are married and your spouse files for Social Security retirement benefits, you may be eligible for monthly payments too. Therefore, you can receive money on your spouse’s record.
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SPOUSAL BENEFITS ARE A WAY TO GET MONEY FROM SOCIAL SECURITY
Even if a spouse may be eligible for monthly payments based on the spouse’s earnings, there is an important requirement to meet. On the one hand, to get spousal benefits you must be at least 62 years old. But there is another possibility.
Some spouses may receive spousal benefits from the Administration even if they are not 62 years old yet. This happens when they have a qualifying child they are looking after.
Some of you must be wondering what Social Security considers to be a qualifying child. A qualifying child is one aged under 16. Another possibility is that your child has a disability and is on SSI.
HOW MUCH CAN A SPOUSE RECEIVE FROM SOCIAL SECURITY?
This will depend on the worker’s earnings and up to a limit. Social Security says it can be as much as half of the spouse’s “primary insurance amount”. On average, that is about $911 as of February 2024.
The age you file for spousal benefits also matters. Early filing at 62 can reduce your monthly payments. Therefore, it is important to wait until you reach Full Retirement Age to get 100% of your benefits. Those spouses looking after a qualifying child will not get a reduction claimed Social Security.
Use a quick calculator to find out your possible payment amounts. Visit https://www.ssa.gov/oact/quickcalc/spouse.html for more details. Do not forget that low-income individuals aged 65 may also get Supplemental Security Income. SSI can give you a check of up to $943.