Social Security benefits for spouses present a complex landscape for retired couples, especially as recent surveys indicate significant knowledge gaps among eligible individuals. As the 2026 benefit year unfolds, understanding the key provisions related to spousal and divorced spouse benefits is essential for retirees planning to optimize their Social Security income streams.
A 2025 Nationwide Retirement Institute survey illustrated prevalent misunderstandings: nearly one-third of adults mistakenly believe that Social Security does not offer benefits to spouses, while half incorrectly deny the eligibility of divorced individuals to receive benefits based on an ex-spouse's earnings record. Such misconceptions can lead to missed opportunities and financial drawbacks in retirement.
The Mechanics of Spousal Benefits
Social Security provides spousal benefits that allow a spouse without a significant work history, or with lower lifetime earnings, to claim benefits based on their partner's earnings record. This arrangement holds under specific conditions:
- The marriage has lasted for a minimum of one year.
- The spouse seeking benefits is at least 62 years old.
- The working spouse is currently receiving Social Security retirement benefits.
In scenarios where a spouse qualifies for retirement benefits derived from their own earnings record, as well as spousal benefits linked to their partner's record, the Social Security Administration awards benefits based on the higher amount without manual intervention required.
Timing Is Crucial: Claiming at Full Retirement Age Maximizes Spousal Benefits
The size of spousal Social Security benefits depends on two major factors: the age at which the spouse files and the primary insurance amount (PIA) of the partner receiving retired-worker benefits. PIA is defined as the benefit a retired worker would receive upon claiming Social Security at full retirement age (FRA). For individuals born in 1960 or later, FRA is age 67.
Spousal benefits can be as high as 50% of the retired partner's PIA if claimed precisely at FRA. However, opting to claim social security benefits earlier than FRA reduces the spousal benefit amount. The extent of the reduction correlates with how many months prior to FRA the claim is made, with the earliest eligible claiming age being 62—at which point, the spousal benefit can drop to around 32.5% of the partner's PIA.
| Age at Claim | Spousal Benefit (% of Partner's PIA) |
|---|---|
| 62 | 32.5% |
| 63 | 35% |
| 64 | 37.5% |
| 65 | 41.7% |
| 66 | 45.8% |
| 67 | 50% |
Unlike retired-worker benefits, which accrue delayed retirement credits when claimed after FRA (up to age 70, boosting payouts), spousal benefits do not accumulate such credits. Therefore, retired-worker benefits reach maximum value at age 70, while spousal benefits are maximized by claiming exactly at FRA.
Divorced Spouses and Social Security: Eligibility Conditions
Divorced individuals may also be eligible to receive Social Security benefits on an ex-spouse’s earnings record, provided certain criteria are met:
- The divorced spouse is at least 62 years old.
- The prior marriage lasted at least 10 years.
- The divorced spouse has not remarried.
- At least two years have passed since the divorce.
These rules carry nuances that often cause confusion:
- Typically, spouses cannot claim benefits on a partner’s record unless that partner is receiving retirement benefits. However, this requirement does not apply to divorced spouses.
- Even if the ex-spouse remarries, divorced spouses may still claim based on the former partner’s record, with eligibility affected only by the claimant's remarriage status.
- Claiming benefits on an ex-spouse’s record neither impacts the ex-spouse’s own Social Security payout nor results in the ex-spouse being notified of the claim.
The Interaction Between Spousal and Retired-Worker Benefits
A spouse may simultaneously qualify for retired-worker benefits from their own earnings and spousal benefits from their partner’s record. In such cases, Social Security automatically provides the higher of the two amounts upon application. Yet, a spouse cannot claim spousal benefits while also delaying their own retired-worker benefits to accumulate delayed retirement credits.
This rule applies strictly to retirement benefits; survivor benefits operate differently. For example, a widow or widower may collect survivor benefits while opting to delay claiming their own retired-worker benefits to enhance Social Security earnings.
For retired couples, and those recently divorced, navigating the nuances of Social Security spousal benefits in 2026 is critical. Awareness of eligibility rules, the influence of claiming age on benefit size, and coordination between spousal and retired-worker claims can substantially impact lifetime retirement income. Given the complexity, retirees should ensure they are fully informed to avoid costly mistakes and maximize their entitled benefits.