Yahoo Finance Social Security: What Do You Need To Apply For Spousal or Divorced Benefits?
Applying for and receiving spousal benefits is a great way to boost your own Social Security monthly benefit — sometimes by as much as $800. Even if you never worked, you’re eligible for Social Security benefits if you are at least 62 years of age and your spouse/ex-spouse has already claimed retirement benefits.
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Let’s dig a little deeper into what you’ll need to know to claim your benefits.
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How to Apply for Spousal or Divorced Benefits
You can apply online if you are within three months of your 62nd birthday or older or by calling the national toll-free service at 1-800-772-1213. You can also visit your local Social Security office. An appointment is not required but if you call ahead and request one it may reduce the time spent waiting to apply.
Documents that will be needed to apply will include:
Birth certificate or other proof of birth
Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status if you were not born in the United States
U.S. military discharge paper(s) if you had military service before 1968
W-2 forms(s) and/or self-employment tax returns for last year
Final divorce decree, if applying as a divorced spouse
Marriage certificate
It’s important to note that the Social Security Administration accepts photocopies of W-2 forms, self-employment tax returns or medical documents but will accept only original copies of most other documents, like your birth and marriage certificates. Original documents will always be returned to you.
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Even if you do not have all of the documents listed above, the SSA states that you should still apply. They can assist in helping you obtain whatever documents you are missing.
You will also be asked to provide personal information like the number of children you have and their ages, military and citizenship status and work history, among other items.
What to Know About Spousal Benefits If You Are Divorced
You can apply for and receive spousal benefits even if you are divorced. If you are divorced, your marriage must have lasted ten or more years for you to be eligible to receive benefits on your ex-spouse’s record.
You also can’t have re-married, as you’d have to file for benefits under your new spouse. You’re eligible to receive benefits under your ex-spouse if the benefit you are entitled to receive on your work is less than the benefit you would receive under your ex-spouse.
How Much Will You Receive for Spousal Benefits?
As a family, you may be able to receive approximately 150 to 180% of your full retirement benefit. Spouses who qualify for their own benefits will receive that amount first, however, if the spousal benefit that they would receive from you is greater, then they may receive a combination of benefits to equal the higher amount.
A person is generally capped at receiving up to 50% of their spouse’s benefit. This is true regardless of whether the spouses are married or divorced. However, to get your full benefits amount, you’ll need to wait until you reach full retirement age.
Prior to full retirement age, the amount you will receive will be reduced. You may opt to retire and receive spousal benefits as early as age 62, but the amount you receive may be as little as 32.5% of your spouse’s primary insurance amount.
Will COLA Affect Spousal Benefits?
All beneficiaries may see an increase in their benefits due to COLA or the annual cost-of-living adjustment. For 2024, the COLA was set at 3.2%. Both primary recipients and those receiving spousal benefits are likely to be affected by the COLA. For instance, a person receiving spousal benefits of $885 per month last year would see an increase of $28 under the new 3.2% COLA for 2024.
Crystal Mayer contributed to the reporting for this article.
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