Am I Entitled to Social Security Retirement Benefits Based on My Spouse’s Work History?

Many older adults rely on monthly Social Security payments to maintain financial stability during retirement. If you are heading toward your retirement years, and you stayed home to raise children or support a household during your working years, you may be worried that the absence of direct employment will prevent you from qualifying for Social Security retirement benefits. Fortunately, federal rules provide several ways for a spouse or former spouse to receive retirement income based on another person’s work record. To help you plan for your retirement, the Indianapolis attorneys at Frank & Kraft explain how you may qualify for Social Security retirement benefits based on your spouse’s work history.

Work Credits and Eligibility

Social Security retirement benefits are built on a system of work credits earned through covered employment. As of 2025, you need to accumulate $1,810 in wages or self-employment income reported to the federal government for each “work credit.” The dollar amount needed to earn a credit, however, rises periodically to match economic conditions. Workers may earn a maximum of four credits per year, and individuals born after 1929 need forty credits to qualify for retirement benefits. This requirement means that most people must work for roughly ten years to secure sufficient credits to qualify for Social Security retirement benefits. A person who remains outside the workforce does not accumulate credits; however, federal law provides pathways for that individual to receive retirement income if the spouse met the necessary employment thresholds.

Spousal Benefits

A married person may qualify for a spousal benefit at age 62 or older if the wage-earning spouse receives retirement or disability payments. Social Security first examines whether the applicant is eligible for benefits under his or her own employment history. If so, that amount is paid first. If the spousal benefit would be higher, the system supplements the applicant’s payment so that the combined total equals the higher spousal amount. This structure ensures that both members of a married couple maintain access to a baseline level of income even when one spouse did not enter the labor force. Individuals born before January 2, 1954 who have reached full retirement age retain a unique option. They may apply only for the spousal payment and postpone their own retirement benefit, which allows their personal benefit to grow. This strategy is no longer available to individuals born on or after that date.

Benefits Based on the Record of a Former Spouse

The federal system allows some divorced individuals to receive retirement income based on an ex-spouse’s work history. A former spouse may qualify if the marriage lasted at least ten years, the applicant is unmarried, and the applicant is 62 or older. In addition, the applicant’s own benefit must be lower than the benefit available through the former spouse, and the former spouse must be eligible for retirement or disability benefits. These rules allow people who dedicated substantial portions of their lives to caregiving or household duties during marriage to maintain some level of financial protection later in life.

Survivor Benefits

When a wage-earner passes away, certain family members may receive monthly survivor benefits. Full retirement benefits typically require forty work credits; yet the system includes special provisions for families who lose a breadwinner earlier in life. If the deceased individual accumulated at least six credits during the three years before death, close relatives may still qualify for limited benefits. A surviving spouse age 60 or older may receive payments. If the surviving spouse has a disability, eligibility begins at age 50. A surviving spouse of any age who is caring for the decedent’s minor child or a child with a qualifying disability may also receive support. Some divorced spouses may be eligible if the marriage met the ten-year requirement and other criteria. Unmarried children may qualify if they are under eighteen, are full-time students up to age nineteen, or have disabilities that began before age twenty-two. These rules create a safety net for families facing the abrupt loss of financial support.

Survivor Benefit Amounts

The amount a survivor receives depends on age, disability status, and the circumstances of the claim. A surviving spouse who has reached full retirement age receives one hundred percent of the deceased worker’s benefit. A surviving spouse between age 60 and full retirement age receives a reduced percentage that falls between 71 ½ percent and 99 percent of the worker’s primary amount. A surviving spouse with a disability who is between ages 50 and 59 receives 71 ½ percent. A surviving spouse caring for the decedent’s child who is under 16 or disabled receives 75 percent. Children who qualify for benefits also receive a percentage of the worker’s basic amount, subject to family maximum rules.

The Importance of Understanding Spousal and Survivor Benefits

These programs serve an essential purpose. Many households rely on a single income while one spouse focuses on caregiving, household management, or unpaid work that supports the family structure. The Social Security framework acknowledges these contributions by providing avenues for non-earning spouses to receive retirement income. Understanding these options is particularly important for Indiana individuals nearing retirement age or managing long-term financial planning.

People often underestimate the role these benefits will play in maintaining stability during later years. A clear understanding of how spousal, divorced spouse, and survivor benefits function can help families make informed decisions about timing, financial planning, and overall retirement strategy. Decisions such as when to claim benefits, whether to remarry, or how to coordinate personal benefits with spousal or survivor options can significantly affect long-term financial security.

Do You Have Questions about Qualifying for Social Security Retirement Benefits Based on Your Spouse’s Work History?

For more information, please join us for an upcoming FREE seminar. If you have additional questions or concerns about qualifying for Social Security retirement benefits based on your spouse’s work history, contact the experienced Indianapolis elder law attorneys at Frank & Kraft by calling (317) 684-1100 to schedule an appointment.

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