Social Security Spouse and Children Benefits - FAQ

Social Security Resource Center

En español | Social Security is much more than a retirement program. It’s also an important tool for building family financial stability, with opportunities for your spouse and children to draw monthly benefits based on your earnings. The AARP Social Security Resource Center is an online tool designed to help you and your family make the most of your benefit options. This section offers practical, comprehensive information about:

When and how your husband, wife or kids can file for benefits on your record
How age and employment — yours and your spouse’s — affect benefit calculations
The rules on claiming spousal and retirement benefits
How Social Security treats same-sex and common-law marriages

Marriage

Q: How does marriage affect my Social Security benefits?

Q: Is there a limit on Social Security benefits for married couples?

Q: Can same-sex married couples get Social Security benefits?

Q: How does Social Security work when a spouse dies?

Q: Does Social Security recognize common-law marriages?

Q: Does my spouse's income affect the earnings limit for my Social Security benefits?

Q: I am disabled but do not have enough work credits to claim SSDI benefits. Can I claim disability benefits on my spouse's record?

Spousal Benefits

Q: Can I collect Social Security on my spouse’s record?

Q: How long does someone have to be married to collect spousal benefits?

Q: Can I collect spousal benefits if I earned my own Social Security benefits?

Q: Can my spouse collect Social Security on my record before I retire?

Q: Can I file for my Social Security at 62 and switch to my spouse’s record later?

Q: Can I collect spousal benefits and wait until I am 70 to claim my own Social Security?

Q: If I receive a spouse benefit, will it reduce the amount my spouse receives?

Q: If I wait until 70 to claim Social Security, will my spouse get a bigger benefit as well?

Q: Can I collect my own government pension and Social Security on my spouse’s record?

Q: I am receiving Social Security disability. Can my spouse get benefits?

Q: Does my spouse have to file for Social Security retirement benefits for me to receive spousal benefits?

Q: How much will my spousal benefit be if I claim it at 62 and my spouse retired at full retirement age?

Q: Can couples still use the “file and suspend” strategy?

Children

Q: Are there Social Security benefits for children?

Q: Can my children get benefits on my Social Security when I retire?

Q: Can my children get my Social Security benefits when I die?

Q: Is my disabled child eligible for Social Security benefits?

Q: Can a grandchild get Social Security?

Family

Q: If I file for Social Security at 62 and continue to work, will my earnings affect family benefits for my spouse and children?

Q: Can the parents of a deceased Social Security recipient get survivor benefits?

Q: What is the family maximum benefit?

Social Security Q & A Tool

Find the answers to the most common Social Security questions such as when to claim, how to maximize your retirement benefits and more.

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