Randall, in order for your wife to be eligible for spousal benefits, you need to have already filed for your own benefits. If that's the case and your wife is at least 62 years old, she can apply for her spousal benefit.
If you're eligible for retirement and spouse's benefits, you must apply for both, and you'll receive a combined benefit equaling the higher spouse's amount. This requirement is called “deemed filing” because when you apply for one benefit you are “deemed” to have applied for the other benefit.
If you claim your regular Social Security benefit before your higher-earning spouse does, you have the option of switching to spousal benefits at a later date when (or after) your spouse decides to file.
How long does a widow receive survivor benefits? Social Security benefits are payable to you for life unless you collect a retirement benefit that is greater than the survivor benefit.
This Social Security Spousal Rule Finally Fizzled Out in 2024 — But These 3 Strategies Remain. A Social Security spousal rule that was around for decades ended this year for the last eligible retirees — those who turned 70 on Jan. 1, 2024.
To qualify as a surviving divorced spouse, you must meet the conditions below: Be at least age 60. Were married for at least 10 years. Have evidence of a finalized divorce.
Surviving spouse, at full retirement age or older, generally gets 100% of the worker's basic benefit amount. Surviving spouse, age 60 or older, but under full retirement age, gets between 71% and 99% of the worker's basic benefit amount.
Spouses and ex-spouses Payments start at 71.5% of your spouse's benefit and increase the longer you wait to apply. For example, you might get: Over 75% at age 61.
Applying in-person has certain benefits, including: In-person allows you to get a sense of the social security office and develop a relationship with the people who work there, which can be helpful if you have future questions or need to make a change to your account in the future.