Social Security Spousal Benefit Rules 2025 – What Couples Must Know

Planning retirement as a couple in the U.S. means Social Security spousal benefits are front and center—and in 2025, the rules haven’t changed, but the future could. The current system still allows a spouse to claim up to 50% of the worker’s retirement benefit, provided eligibility requirements are met. However, policy proposals are floating in Washington that could trim that share to 33% by 2030, a shift that would reduce household retirement income for millions of couples.

Current Rules in 2025

Spousal benefits remain governed by provisions that were reshaped under the 2015 Bipartisan Budget Act. Those changes, fully in effect since 2016, still set the framework:

1. Deemed Filing

• When a spouse files for either retirement or spousal benefits, they are deemed to have filed for both.
• The higher benefit is paid—either the retirement benefit or the spousal benefit.
• The old “restricted application strategy,” where one could claim spousal benefits first and delay their own to earn credits, is no longer available.

2. Voluntary Suspension

• Workers at Full Retirement Age (FRA, currently 67) can suspend their retirement benefit to earn delayed retirement credits (8% extra per year up to age 70).
• But if they suspend, all dependent benefits tied to their record stop—including spousal benefits.
• This prevents households from collecting a spousal check while the worker’s benefit is paused.

3. Current Spousal Rate

• Spouses can receive up to 50% of the worker’s Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) at their own FRA.
• Example: If the worker’s PIA is $3,000, the spouse can receive $1,500 at FRA.
• Claiming earlier (as young as age 62) reduces the benefit permanently.

Proposed Change: From 50% to 33% by 2030

While not yet law, policy projections suggest Congress could reduce spousal benefits to 33% of the worker’s PIA.

• Example: If the worker’s PIA is $3,000:
  • Current spousal benefit = $1,500
  • Proposed spousal benefit = $960
• That’s a 36% cut, which would significantly impact couples where one spouse earned little or no income history.

Eligibility Rules for Spousal Benefits (2025)

You may qualify if:

• You are at least 62 years old, though claiming before FRA reduces your benefit.
• You care for the worker’s child under 16 or a disabled child, regardless of your age.
• The worker must apply for their own retirement benefit before you can receive a spousal benefit.

Special cases:

• Divorced spouses: Eligible if the marriage lasted at least 10 years, the applicant is 62 or older, unmarried, and the ex-spouse qualifies for retirement benefits.
• Remarriage: Ends eligibility for divorced spousal benefits unless the later marriage ends.
• Widows/Widowers: May qualify for up to 100% of the deceased spouse’s benefit as a survivor benefit.

What Couples Should Do Now

• Run scenarios: Use SSA calculators to estimate benefits under both the current 50% rule and a possible 33% rule.
• Coordinate claiming ages: Delaying the higher earner’s benefit can boost household income.
• Consider survivor benefits: Widows and widowers often get the larger of the two benefits.
• Stay informed: Monitor ssa.gov for official updates—no 2025 rule change is active yet.

Key Takeaways

• In 2025, spousal benefits remain at 50% of the worker’s PIA at FRA.
• Deemed filing and voluntary suspension rules (from the 2015 reforms) still apply.
• A proposal could reduce spousal benefits to 33% by 2030, but this is not yet law.
• Eligibility extends to current spouses, divorced spouses (10+ years marriage), and widows/widowers under survivor rules.
• Couples should factor potential future reductions into long-term retirement planning.

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