How much Social Security income spouses receive depends on their claim age and the primary insurance amount (PIA) of their ...

Social Security spousal benefits pay eligible spouses a portion of their partner's Social Security retirement or disability ...

The short answer to your first question: No, your wife can’t claim her benefits now and switch to spousal benefits later on ...

The primary requirement to receive spousal benefits is that you must be married to someone eligible for either retirement or ...

You must meet one of two length-of-marriage rules to be eligible for spousal Social Security. You generally cannot claim ...

How do Social Security spousal benefits work? My wife, who’s approaching age 62, has had a few small-paying jobs over the years, but spent most of her time as a homemaker. What is she entitled to?

Social Security spousal benefits could give your household a much-needed financial boost in retirement. With the average check around $955 per month as of August 2025, these benefits aren't enough to ...

In most cases, delaying Social Security benefits is a smart choice for retirees. While benefits can be claimed starting at 62 ...

How do Social Security spousal benefits work? My wife, who’s approaching age 62, has had a few small-paying jobs over the years, but spent most of her time as a homemaker. What is she entitled to?

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Tom Hager – “Mister Social Security” – offers expert advice from Ohio. This article explains the many Social Security benefits ...

The widow's penalty can reduce your Social Security income after a spouse dies. Learn how this works, why it happens, and smart steps to protect your retirement.