When a retired worker dies, the surviving spouse gets an amount equal to the worker’s full retirement benefit. Example: John Smith has a $1,200-a-month retirement benefit. His wife Jane gets $600 as a 50 percent spousal benefit. Total family income from Social Security is $1,800 a month.

Can a married couple live on Social Security?

Is there a limit on Social Security benefits for married couples? En español | Not when it comes to each spouse’s own benefit. If they qualify based on their own work histories, a married couple can each receive the maximum individual retirement benefit.

What happens when you apply for Social Security as a spouse?

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. If your benefits as a spouse are higher than your own retirement benefits, you will get a combination of benefits equaling the higher spouse benefit.

What happens if my wife receives reduced social security?

If your wife is receiving a reduced retirement benefit, when she does apply for additional spouse’s benefits on your record, her own retirement portion remains reduced. When you add spouse’s benefits later, the total retirement and spouses benefit together will total less than 50 percent of the worker’s amount.

How old does a wife have to be to get Social Security?

To qualify, she has to wait until you start receiving benefits. She must either be 62 or older or taking care of a child of yours under 16 who gets Social Security disability. If either of you is under full retirement age — 67 for anyone born after 1959 — she gets less than the full 50 percent.

Can a wife get Social Security if she is an ex wife?

by Fraser Sherman. Wives and ex-wives can all receive Social Security benefits based on your income. If you have a current wife and an ex-wife, the Social Security Administration calculates their benefits independently: what your ex gets won’t affect your wife’s income, and vice versa.