Social Security Benefit Rules For Spouses – Am I Eligible For Social Security Benefits As A Spouse?
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2026 · AM I ELIGIBLE FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS AS A SPOUSE?
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
Which best describes
your situation?
Your spouse passed away.
You’re currently married and
have no prior marriages.
See “Am I Eligible for Social
Security Benefits As A
Surviving Spouse?” flowchart.
See the “Will My Social
Security Benefits Be
Reduced?” flowchart.
See the "Am I Eligible For
Social Security Benefits If I
Have Been Divorced?"
flowchart.
You have been divorced
at some point.
Sorry, you are not eligible
to collect spousal benefits.
Sorry, you must be married
for at least one year.
Sorry, you must wait until
you are at least 62 to
collect spousal benefits.
You can collect up to 50%
of your spouse's Primary
Insurance Amount, which
may be reduced by the
Family Maximum if there
are also young dependents.
You can collect up to 50%
of your spouse’s Primary
Insurance Amount or 100%
of your own benefits,
whichever is greater.
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
Have you been married for
at least one year?
Has your spouse filed for
benefits on their own
record?
Are you caring for a child
that is yours and your
spouse's, who is eligible for
dependent care benefits on
your spouse's record and is
under age 16 or became
disabled prior to age 22?
Are you 62 or older?
Is your spouse eligible for
Social Security on their
work record?
No
Yes
Yes
No
Did you have a child with
your spouse?
Yes
No
Yes
Can you collect benefits on
your own work history?
Were you entitled to
benefits based on someone
else’s record in the month
before the month you
married your spouse?
You may be able to claim
benefits under your current
spouse’s work record.
Did you remarry and are you
currently married?
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Aaron Vaughn
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aaron@defiantservicesllc.com
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