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Social Security spousal benefit calculator

A husband or wife can get up to half of their spouse's full Social Security benefit. See how much, combined with your own benefit and the age you claim.

  • Up to 50% of your spouse's full benefit, at your full retirement age.
  • As low as 32.5% if you claim at 62.
  • No extra for waiting past full retirement age.

Spousal benefit

$
Their primary insurance amount, from their Social Security statement, not a reduced or increased amount.
$
Half of your spouse's full benefit
Your own benefit at this age
Spousal top-up

Your monthly benefit

$0

Own + spousal

How the spousal benefit works

  • The most you can get is 50% of your spouse's primary insurance amount, their full benefit at full retirement age. It doesn't matter when your spouse claims.
  • Claiming early cuts the spousal part by 25/36 of 1% for each of the first 36 months before your full retirement age and 5/12 of 1% for each month beyond. At 62 with a full retirement age of 67, that's 35% less: 32.5% of your spouse's full benefit.
  • Your own benefit comes first. If you have one, you get it plus a top-up equal to the amount by which half of your spouse's benefit is more than your own full benefit.
  • You can't pick one now and the other later if you were born on January 2, 1954 or later: if you can get both when you file, you're treated as filing for both.

Divorced spouses

If you were married at least 10 years, are 62 or older and are unmarried (a later marriage that ended doesn't stop you), you can claim on an ex-spouse's record. If you've been divorced at least 2 years, the ex doesn't have to have filed yet, only be eligible. It doesn't reduce the ex's benefit or their new spouse's.

If your spouse has died, see the survivor benefits calculator: survivors can get up to 100%.

Questions

How much is the Social Security spousal benefit?

Up to 50% of your spouse's full retirement benefit (their primary insurance amount) if you claim at your own full retirement age. Claim at 62 and it can drop to 32.5% of their full benefit. It doesn't grow if you wait past full retirement age.

Can I get my own benefit and a spousal benefit?

You get your own benefit first. If half of your spouse's full benefit is more than your own full benefit, Social Security adds the difference as a spousal top-up. You can't collect both in full.

Does my spouse have to be retired for me to get spousal benefits?

Your spouse must have filed for their own Social Security benefit. Divorced spouses married at least 10 years can claim on an ex-spouse's record without the ex filing, if the ex is 62 or older and they've been divorced at least 2 years.

Updated November 6, 2026. Sources: SSA, Benefits for Spouses; 20 CFR 404.410; SSA, Reduced Spouse's Benefits (POMS RS 00615.201). Estimates, not financial advice. Not affiliated with the Social Security Administration.