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Learn about benefits available to spouses, ex-spouses, and children of workers who are eligible for Social Security. Understand eligibility requirements, benefit calculations, and strategies to maximize your family's benefits.
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This video covers all the sections on this page and provides additional insider tips to help you understand your options and maximize your family's benefits.
Understanding eligibility requirements for spouse, divorced spouse, and child benefits
How to calculate your potential benefit amount
Special rules for divorced spouses and children
Medicare and Medicaid eligibility for family members
Social Security provides benefits not only to workers but also to their family members. These benefits can provide crucial financial support to spouses, ex-spouses, and children when a worker retires, becomes disabled, or passes away.
Family benefits are available to certain family members of workers who are eligible for Social Security retirement or disability benefits. You may qualify if you are:
Family benefit amounts are based on the worker's primary insurance amount (PIA):
The average monthly family benefit in 2025 is approximately $1,537 for a worker with one or more family members receiving benefits.
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Family benefits do not reduce the worker's own benefit amount. The worker receives their full benefit, and eligible family members receive additional benefits based on the worker's record.
Benefits paid to a divorced spouse do not count toward the family maximum and will not affect the amount of benefits paid to you and your family.
If you're married to someone who qualifies for Social Security retirement or disability benefits, you may be eligible for benefits based on their work record. Understanding the eligibility requirements and how benefits are calculated can help you make informed decisions.
This calculator will help you estimate your potential spouse benefits based on your age and your spouse's benefit amount.
To qualify for spouse benefits in 2025, you must:
You can receive benefits at any age if you're caring for the worker's child who is:
As a spouse, you can receive up to 50% of your spouse's full retirement benefit if you wait until your full retirement age (currently 67 for those born in 1960 or later).
If you claim benefits earlier:
The average spousal benefit in 2025 is approximately $768.50 per month.
If you're eligible for benefits based on both your own work record and as a spouse, Social Security will pay your own benefit first. If your benefit as a spouse is higher than your own retirement benefit, you'll get a combination of benefits equaling the higher spouse benefit.
For example:
In this scenario, you would receive your own $900 benefit plus an additional $100 from the spouse benefit, for a total of $1,000 per month.
If your own benefit is higher than what you would receive as a spouse, it's usually best to claim your own benefit. However, claiming strategies can be complex, so consider consulting with a financial advisor who specializes in Social Security benefits.
Your claiming age:
Your spouse's claiming age:
If your spouse claims their own retirement benefit before their full retirement age, their benefit amount will be reduced. However, this reduction does not affect your spousal benefit. Your spousal benefit is always based on your spouse's full retirement age benefit amount (their primary insurance amount or PIA), not their reduced benefit.
Similarly, if your spouse delays claiming beyond their full retirement age to earn delayed retirement credits, these increases do not affect your spousal benefit. The maximum spousal benefit remains 50% of your spouse's PIA.
Your claiming age:
If you claim spouse benefits before your full retirement age, your benefit will be permanently reduced. The earlier you claim, the greater the reduction:
Unlike retirement benefits, there is no increase in spouse benefits for delaying claims beyond your full retirement age.
You cannot apply for spouse benefits until your spouse has filed for their own retirement benefits. The only exception is for divorced spouses who meet certain requirements.
If you're receiving spouse benefits and are under full retirement age, your benefits may be reduced if you earn above certain limits:
Benefits withheld due to excess earnings are not "lost." Once you reach full retirement age, your benefit will be recalculated to give you credit for months when benefits were withheld.
Even if you're divorced, you may still be eligible for benefits based on your ex-spouse's work record if your marriage lasted at least 10 years. Learn about the specific requirements and how these benefits work.
This calculator will help you estimate your potential divorced spouse benefits based on your age, marriage duration, and your ex-spouse's benefit amount.
To qualify for divorced spouse benefits in 2025, you must:
Your ex-spouse must be entitled to retirement or disability benefits. However, you can receive benefits even if your ex-spouse has not yet applied for benefits, as long as:
As a divorced spouse, you can receive up to 50% of your ex-spouse's full retirement benefit if you wait until your full retirement age (currently 67 for those born in 1960 or later).
If you claim benefits earlier:
The average divorced spouse benefit in 2025 is approximately $768.50 per month.
If your current spouse is also receiving Social Security benefits, you might be eligible for a higher benefit amount as a current spouse rather than as a divorced spouse. Social Security will pay the higher of the two benefits.
If you don't have all this information, Social Security can often still find your ex-spouse's record with just their name and approximate age. Bring your marriage certificate and divorce decree to your appointment to help verify your eligibility.
If your benefits are withheld due to excess earnings, they are not completely lost. Once you reach full retirement age, your benefit will be recalculated to give you credit for months when benefits were withheld.
If you are divorced, you might be able to get Social Security money based on the work your ex-husband or ex-wife did. There's a special rule that could help you get this money even if your ex-spouse hasn't started getting their own Social Security checks yet. This usually applies if you have been divorced for at least two years. This guide will explain in simple terms who can get these benefits and how it works.
SSA ReferenceTo qualify for Independently Entitled Divorced Spouse benefits, you generally must:
Children of retired, disabled, or deceased workers may be eligible for Social Security benefits. Learn about the eligibility requirements, benefit amounts, and special rules for children.
Family Maximum CalculatorTo qualify for child benefits in 2025, the child must be:
Additionally, one of these must be true:
A child can receive up to 50% of a parent's full retirement or disability benefit, or up to 75% of a deceased parent's benefit.
For 2025, the average monthly benefit amounts are:
Benefits are subject to the family maximum limit, which is generally 150-180% of the worker's benefit.
If a child was conceived before the worker's death but born after, they may still qualify for benefits on the deceased parent's record if paternity or maternity can be established.
If a child was conceived before the worker's death but born after, they may still qualify for benefits on the deceased parent's record if paternity or maternity can be established.
If your adult child with a disability receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and you begin receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits, your child should be evaluated for benefits as an adult disabled child. These benefits may be higher than SSI payments.
If your child is approaching age 18 and is still in high school, contact Social Security about three months before their 18th birthday to ensure benefits continue. You'll need to complete a statement of attendance certified by a school official.
When a child stops receiving benefits (for example, by reaching age 18), the benefits for other family members may increase if the family was previously limited by the family maximum.
If you're caring for a child who receives benefits, you may be eligible for benefits yourself, even if you're under age 62. Understand how these special benefits work and who qualifies.
To qualify for child-in-care spouse benefits in 2025, you must:
Unlike regular spouse benefits, there is no age requirement for child-in-care benefits. You can receive these benefits at any age as long as you meet the above requirements.
As a spouse caring for a child, you can receive up to 50% of your spouse's full retirement benefit, regardless of your age.
For 2025, the average monthly benefit for a spouse with a child in care is approximately $768.50.
These benefits are subject to the family maximum limit, which is generally 150-180% of the worker's benefit.
Unlike regular spouse benefits, child-in-care benefits are not reduced for early claiming since there is no early retirement reduction.
If you work part-time or have flexible work arrangements that allow you to provide substantial care for the child, you may still qualify for benefits. Social Security evaluates each case individually.
When your child-in-care benefits end, you may become eligible for regular spouse benefits when you reach age 62. However, these benefits will be reduced if claimed before your full retirement age.
Only your earnings count toward this limit. Your spouse's earnings or other income don't affect your child-in-care benefits. Also, certain types of income (like investments, pensions, or other government benefits) don't count toward the earnings limit.
Benefits paid to a divorced spouse with a child in care do not affect the benefits paid to the worker or their current family members. These benefits are not counted toward the family maximum on the worker's record.
Family members may also be eligible for Medicare and Medicaid benefits. Learn about the eligibility requirements, enrollment periods, and coverage options available to spouses and children.
Or, call Chapter Medicare at 352-841-0632
As a spouse, you may be eligible for Medicare benefits if:
Even if you haven't worked enough to qualify for Medicare on your own record, you may qualify based on your spouse's work record if:
For 2025, the standard Part B premium is $185 per month.
Children with disabilities may qualify for Medicare if:
Children who receive benefits as a disabled adult child on a parent's record may qualify for Medicare after a 24-month waiting period.
The 24-month waiting period begins with the first month the child is entitled to disability benefits, not the date of disability onset.
If you're eligible for Medicare based on your spouse's work record, you should still enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period (the 7-month period around your 65th birthday) to avoid late enrollment penalties.
Medicaid programs vary significantly from state to state. Contact your state's Medicaid office or visit medicaid.gov to learn about specific eligibility requirements and benefits in your state.
In addition to MSPs, the "Extra Help" program assists with Medicare prescription drug costs. In 2025, it helps individuals with annual income below $21,870 and resources below $16,660 (or couples with income below $29,580 and resources below $33,240).
You can apply for CHIP any time of the year. To apply, call 1-800-318-2596 or visit healthcare.gov. You can also contact your state's CHIP office directly.
Find answers to common questions about Social Security Family Benefits. If you don't see your question answered here, feel free to contact us through our Feedback Form.
Before he became the go-to guru for government benefits on his YouTube channel, MyGovExpert, Dr. Ed was a District Manager for the Social Security Administration. That's right, he wasn't just reading the rulebook; he was living it, managing the folks who make the decisions. If you've ever felt like SSA speaks a different language, Dr. Ed is your translator. He's seen it all, heard it all, and now he's here to share that invaluable insider experience with you, cutting through the red tape with a healthy dose of common sense (and maybe a terrible joke or two).
Buthis journey didn't start there. Long before navigating bureaucratic hall ways, Dr. Ed served his country with distinction as a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. Semper Fi! That discipline and commitment to service are still a core part of who he is today.
His dedication to public service also led him to a role as a Family Services Specialist with the Department of Social Services, giving him a broad perspective on the challenges many people face. And because he apparently doesn't believe in free time, Dr. Ed has also been shaping young minds as a University Adjunct Professor.
With a PhD to his name and a wealth of real-world experience, Dr. Ed Weir isn't just an expert; he's your expert. He's passionate about helping people understand their benefits and get what they're entitled to. So, if you're looking for some one who can explain complex government stuff in plain English, with a bit of humor and the authority that only comes from having been there, you've found your guy.
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