As couples approach retirement age, Social Security benefits can raise plenty of questions — especially when there’s a big gap in income between spouses.
One Reddit user recently asked if his wife could claim Social Security based on his earnings, which are $80,000 higher than hers annually. He also wondered whether her doing so would impact his own benefits.
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How Spousal Benefits Work
A spouse may be able to receive Social Security benefits based on their partner’s work record, according to current rules from the Social Security Administration. This is often helpful when one spouse has a lower lifetime income or didn’t work enough to qualify on their own.
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To qualify for these spousal benefits, the higher-earning spouse must already be receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits. In other words, your spouse cannot claim based on your earnings unless you’ve started collecting first.
If eligible, the maximum spousal benefit is 50% of the higher-earning spouse’s benefit at full retirement age. This amount does not increase even if the primary earner delays claiming to earn delayed retirement credits.
Early Claiming Means Reduced Benefits
Claiming spousal benefits before full retirement age — which ranges from 66 to 67, depending on your birth year — results in permanently reduced payments.
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In the Reddit case, the wife wanted to claim at 62. If her husband had not yet claimed his benefit, she would only be eligible for her own reduced retirement benefit at that time. Once he begins receiving his benefit, she could apply for additional spousal benefits — known as a “spousal top-off.”
However, if she filed early, her combined amount will still be lower than if she had waited until her own full retirement age.
Does It Affect the Husband’s Benefit?
This is where some people get confused — but the answer is simple. A spouse claiming benefits on your record does not reduce or affect your own Social Security payments in any way.
According to the SSA, your benefit remains the same whether or not your spouse receives payments based on your earnings. The amount a spouse receives is considered a separate payment.
So, the Reddit user’s concern about his wife’s claim affecting his check is understandable — but unfounded.
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Coordinating Benefits as a Couple
It’s important for couples to talk through their options together. In some cases, it may make sense for the higher earner to delay claiming benefits to maximize their monthly payout — especially if the lower-earning spouse also waits to claim the full spousal amount.
On the flip side, if one spouse needs income sooner, claiming early might be worth the trade-off, even if the payment is reduced. Every situation is different.
Where to Get Personalized Help
To estimate what you or your spouse might receive, visit ssa.gov. The site offers calculators and tools, and you can also create a my Social Security account to view your personal benefit estimates.
When it comes to retirement planning, Social Security plays a major role — and understanding how spousal benefits work can help you make the most of it as a couple.
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