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How Your Spouse is Affected By Your Benefit - Motley Fool
Social Security isn’t just an individual benefit, especially when it comes to a married couple. There is often a sizable difference between the partners’ personal benefit amounts, and in some cases one spouse may even be ineligible for Social Security on their own work record yet eligible for benefits from their partner. The point is, the rules surrounding Social Security spousal benefits are complex, so it’s important to understand how spouse benefits work. The reality may very well be that how you claim your own Social Security will affect how much Social Security your spouse will get, as explained in this Motley Fool article by Kailey Hagen. One point in the article needs clarification – in the last section the article suggests that a spouse who is eligible for a smaller personal benefit should claim their own benefit early, but be aware that doing so will result in a spousal benefit less than 50% of the other spouse’s benefit amount. Click here to read the Motley Fool article on “3 Ways Your Social Security Moves Affect Your Spouse.”
Also, if you’re unsure about how these basics apply to you, or if you have any questions about your individual situation under Social Security, note that the AMAC Foundation provides a free-to-the-public service to help Americans navigate the complexities of this program. Learn more about it here…