Are you married and curious about Social Security spousal benefits? You may qualify for sizable monthly payments beginning in January 2026, and they can be an important source of support in retirement.
The Social Security Administration has announced a 2.8% increase for all beneficiaries in 2026, so spousal benefits are going up too. Still, many people are unsure how to claim them correctly. Below you will find who qualifies, how much you can get, and the exact steps for claiming.
What Are Spousal Social Security Benefits?
Spousal benefits pay you based on your husband's or wife's work record, even if you never held a job yourself. They were created to support families in which one spouse earned much less than the other.
You can get up to 50% of your spouse's full retirement benefit, known as their "primary insurance amount." If your spouse's full benefit is $3,000 a month, for instance, you could receive as much as $1,500.
There is an important catch, though. Your spouse has to be collecting their own Social Security already. You cannot claim spousal benefits until they have filed for retirement.
Age rules apply as well. The earliest you can claim spousal benefits is 62, but claiming early shrinks your monthly payment considerably.
How Much Could You Receive in 2026?
The top spousal benefit depends on a few things, including your age when you claim and your spouse's earnings history. The most you can get is 50% of your spouse's primary insurance amount, claimed at your full retirement age.
Spousal benefits rise 2.8% in 2026. This cost-of-living adjustment applies to all Social Security payments, and the average spousal benefit will go up by about $27 a month.
If you claim at full retirement age, benefits can reach as much as $2,831 a month. That figure assumes your spouse earned the maximum, so most people will get less.
Claiming early at 62 brings a big reduction. Your benefit could fall to as little as 32.5% of your spouse's primary insurance amount, and that cut is permanent.
About the 2026 Increase
Beginning in January 2026, everyone on Social Security will get a bigger check. The 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment is applied automatically, so you do not have to do anything. It helps benefits keep up with inflation and applies to retirement, spousal and survivor benefits, and disability benefits get the same raise.
The increase will show up in payments starting in December 2025. Social Security pays for the month before, so the December payment is really January's benefit. Remember that Medicare premiums, which come out of your Social Security check, may go up too, so the raise you actually see may be less than 2.8%.
Who Can Get Spousal Benefits?
Make sure you meet the eligibility rules before you apply. The Social Security Administration is strict about who can claim spousal benefits, so here are the requirements.
Age
You must be at least 62, the earliest age allowed, to claim spousal benefits, and claiming at 62 permanently lowers the amount. Your full retirement age depends on your birth year and for most people today falls between 66 and 67. Waiting until then gets you the largest spousal benefit.
Marriage
In most cases you must have been married for at least a year. That rule keeps people from marrying only to collect benefits, though there are some exceptions. Your spouse must also be receiving their own Social Security. This is essential: if your spouse has not filed, you cannot claim spousal benefits.
Your Work History
You do not need a work record of your own. Spousal benefits rest entirely on your spouse's earnings, which helps people who stayed home to raise children or care for relatives. If you do qualify for your own retirement benefit, Social Security compares the two and pays whichever is higher. You cannot collect your full retirement benefit and your full spousal benefit at once.
How to Claim Spousal Benefits
Applying is simple once you know the steps. There are a few ways to file, so pick the one that suits you.
Ways to Apply
You can apply online if you are 62 or older, or within three months of turning 62. The application is on the Social Security Administration website and is quick and convenient. You can also call Social Security's national toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213, and a representative can take your application by phone. TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778.
Or you can go to your local Social Security office. Walk-ins are welcome, but an appointment cuts down the wait, so it is best to call ahead and schedule one.
Paperwork You Will Need
Collect your key documents before applying. You will need proof of age, such as a birth certificate, and a marriage certificate to show your relationship. You will also need your Social Security number and your spouse's. Having all of this ready speeds things up.
If you have dependent children, bring their information as well. They may qualify for family benefits of their own, which could raise your household's total Social Security income.
Deemed Filing Rules
Some important rules control when you can claim spousal benefits. If you were born after January 1, 1954, deemed filing applies, which means you must file for your retirement and spousal benefits at the same time. You automatically get the larger of the two and cannot file for spousal benefits alone while holding off on your own retirement benefit. The rule was changed to stop people from boosting benefits through clever timing.
Benefits for Divorced Spouses
You may still qualify for spousal benefits after a divorce. The rules differ a little but matter just as much. The marriage must have lasted at least 10 years and ended in divorce, and you must be unmarried now to claim divorced spouse benefits.
Your former spouse does not need to be collecting yet, but they must be eligible, and you must be at least 62. What you receive does not reduce your ex's benefit, and they will not even be told. The payment is completely separate from their own Social Security.
Act Now
Do not put off learning about your Social Security options. With the 2026 increase, spousal benefits are worth more than ever, and knowing the rules leads to better choices. Start by opening a my Social Security account online, where you can see benefit estimates and review your spouse's earnings record.
If 62 is coming up, think carefully about when to file. Filing early locks in smaller checks for good, while waiting until full retirement age gives you the largest monthly payment. If you have questions, contact Social Security, where representatives can give you personal guidance. Call 1-800-772-1213 to talk with someone directly. Spousal benefits are a vital source of support that help millions of Americans keep up their standard of living in retirement, so make sure you receive everything you are owed.
