Social Security spousal benefit calculator
A spouse can get up to half of the worker's full benefit, but only if the spouse starts at their own full retirement age or later. If the worker's full benefit is $2,000 and the spouse has no work record, the spouse gets $1,000 a month at 67 and $650 a month at 62.
Last updated: . Education, not financial advice.
Worked example
The worker's full benefit is $2,000. The spouse was born in 1962, so their full retirement age is 67. The first column of numbers is the spousal benefit for a spouse with no work record. The last three columns are for a spouse whose own full benefit is $600: the spousal amount only fills the gap up to half of the worker's benefit.
| Spouse starts at | No work record: spousal | With own record: own check | With own record: spousal added | With own record: total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age 62 | $650 | $420 | $260 | $680 |
| Age 63 | $700 | $450 | $280 | $730 |
| Age 64 | $750 | $480 | $300 | $780 |
| Age 65 | $833 | $520 | $333 | $853 |
| Age 66 | $916 | $560 | $366 | $926 |
| Age 67 | $1,000 | $600 | $400 | $1,000 |
Source: Spousal benefit calculator (opens in a new tab), Full retirement age and reduction by claiming age (opens in a new tab)
The rules behind the numbers
- The most a spouse can get is 50% of the worker's full retirement benefit (the PIA), not 50% of what the worker actually collects. Here that is $1,000.
- A spouse who has a work record gets the spousal amount only as an extra: half of the worker's benefit minus the spouse's own full benefit, if that is more than zero.
- Starting before the spouse's own full retirement age cuts the spousal amount. There are no delayed credits on a spousal benefit, so waiting past full retirement age adds nothing.
- The spousal benefit starts only after the worker has filed for benefits.
Source: Spousal benefit calculator (opens in a new tab), Full retirement age and reduction by claiming age (opens in a new tab), Retirement benefits (opens in a new tab)
Common questions
How much is the spousal benefit at 62?
With a full retirement age of 67, it is $650 a month when the worker's full benefit is $2,000 and the spouse has no work record.
Do I get more if I wait past my full retirement age?
No. The spousal amount stops growing at full retirement age. It is $1,000 at 67 in this example, and the same at 70.
Does the worker have to claim first?
Yes. The spousal benefit can start only after the worker has filed. Use the guides to see how an age gap changes the timing.
Sources
- Spousal benefit calculator (opens in a new tab)
- Full retirement age and reduction by claiming age (opens in a new tab)
- Retirement benefits (opens in a new tab)
Keep reading
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Wait or Claim is independent. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to the Social Security Administration or any government agency. We give education, not financial, tax or legal advice. Check your own facts with Social Security (ssa.gov) before you file.