Social Security is a cornerstone of retirement income for millions of Americans. However, for some, their benefits may be modest, especially those who spent years working part-time or out of the workforce.
That should not be a worry, as the government has revealed a hidden way to boost Social Security payouts. According to experts, people with no work history can add thousands to their retirement by claiming spousal benefits.
Who Qualifies for Spousal Benefits?
Spousal benefits allow you to claim Social Security based on your partner’s work history instead of your own. This is possible even if you had a limited earnings history or if you do not have a work record at all.
Although there are exceptions, one can claim spousal benefits at the earliest age, which is 62. You can qualify at any age if you are caring for a child with a disability or under 16. To qualify for a spousal benefit, you must have been married for at least one year, and your spouse must have already filed for their own benefits.
Even divorced individuals may qualify, but only if you are currently unmarried, if your previous marriage lasted at least 10 years, and your ex-spouse is eligible for Social Security. If you meet all these three criteria, you can claim based on their record, even if they have remarried.
As financial attorney Russell D. Knight explained, “In theory, a person could marry someone new every 10 years and give them a spousal benefit as a parting gift. It’s better than nothing.” Importantly, he notes that “it’s not like that money comes out of your monthly benefit check,” meaning the primary earner’s benefit isn’t reduced by their spouse’s claim.
How Much Can You Receive?
According to the Social Security Administration, the average monthly benefit was about $2,008 as of August 2025 while those claiming spousal benefits received an average of $955.
Spousal benefits are capped at 50% of your spouse’s primary insurance amount, which is the benefit they’d receive if they claimed at full retirement age (typically between 66 and 67). “Spousal benefits are capped at half your spouse’s benefit at full retirement age. If [the worker] waits beyond that to claim, the spousal benefit cannot grow further,” said Claire Toth, former managing principal and senior wealth strategist at Peapack-Gladstone Bank.
In other words, if your spouse’s full benefit is $2,400 per month, you could collect up to $1,200. However, if you claim early before full retirement age, your spousal benefit could reduce to as little as 32.5% of your partner’s full benefit.
Unfortunately, unlike regular Social Security benefits, spousal benefits do not decrease if you delay claiming beyond the full retirement age. Therefore, there is no need to wait once you have hit the FRA.
“Spousal benefits are capped at half your spouse’s benefit at full retirement age. If [the worker] waits beyond that to claim, the spousal benefit cannot grow further,” says Claire Toth, former managing principal and senior wealth strategist at New Jersey-based Peapack-Gladstone Bank.
When Timing Matters
While delaying to claim spousal benefits does not increase the amount you receive, your claiming strategy can make a huge difference. According to Lindsay Malzone, Medicare expert and editor at Medigap.com, waiting until you reach normal retirement age, 65 to 67 depending on your birth year, is the best strategy to claim spousal benefits.
While it is advisable to wait until you reach normal retirement age, there are exceptions. It would make more sense to claim early if you are in poor health or have a short life expectancy.
Some couples are also taking advantage of a switching strategy where one spouse starts collecting their own smaller benefit early and then switches to the spousal benefit once their partner files later.
“I have several clients where her own benefit is less than or very close to half the spousal benefit and he plans to wait until age 70 to claim,” Toth says. “In that case, the wife is often best off claiming early — sometimes as early as age 62 — and then switching to the spousal benefit when her husband claims. Her benefit only continues until the first death, and the survivor gets his benefit. Even if they both make it into their 90s, this is often the best result.”
What Happens if Your Spouse Passes Away?
If your spouse passes away while you are receiving spousal benefits, those benefits are converted to survivor benefits. You can receive up to 100% of your late spouse’s payout, including any delayed credits they had earned.
For example, if your spouse was delaying claiming and was receiving $2,784 per month instead of $2,400, your spousal survivor benefit could be $2,784. Survivors can claim those benefits as early as age 60, or 50 if they are disabled.
Conclusion
Spousal benefits are one of the most valuable Social Security benefits, but are unknown to many or underused. They provide an essential safety net for those with little or no earnings history. One can get up to half of their spousal benefits and even full survivor benefits later on when their spouse passes away.
It is important to review your options carefully as you approach retirement. You can use the Social Security Administration’s online calculator to estimate your potential benefits. You can also reach out to a trusted financial advisor to ensure you make the most out of this hidden benefit.