Social Security spousal benefits can be received even if you are not married to your survivor or have never been married. If you receive Social Security benefits yourself, then your surviving spouse may qualify for Social Security survivor benefits. However, your benefits will be reduced by the amount of Social Security benefits you receive.
But if you’re considering applying for spousal survivor benefits, you might be confused about what’s involved.
If you’re getting divorced, you must file for spousal survivor benefits through the Social Security Administration. But, what you may not know is that there are different types of survivor benefits that you can apply for.
If you’re getting divorced, you must file for spousal survivor benefits through the Social Security Administration. But, what you may not know is that there are different types of survivor benefits that you can apply for.
In this blog post, we will provide a detailed explanation of each type of benefit so that you know exactly which one you should apply for.
What are spousal benefits?
The Social Security Administration is the agency that determines spousal benefits. If you’re getting divorced, it’s important to understand the different types of survivor benefits you can apply for.
There are two main types of survivor benefits, spousal and dependent, and they offer unique advantages. Let’s look at each survivor benefit and how it can benefit you.
Spousal survivor benefits:
- Payment
- Retirement
- Death benefits
- Spousal benefits
- Tax deductions
- Death benefits
- Spousal benefits
- Tax deductions
How to get Social Security spousal survivor benefits
If you’re getting divorced, the Social Security spousal survivor benefits could be a huge source of income for you. But if you’re considering applying for spousal survivor benefits, you might be confused about what’s involved.
The good news is that there are different types of survivor benefits that you can apply for. The bad news is that most of these benefits only provide monthly benefits.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the different types of survivor benefits:
- Surviving spouse (SS) benefit
- Surviving divorced spouse (SDS) benefit
- Surviving divorced surviving spouse (SDDS) benefit
- Surviving widowed surviving spouse (SWDS) benefit
How to file for spousal benefits
You can apply for spousal benefits before, during, or after your divorce. Spousal survivor benefits can be beneficial for both you and your ex, so they should be considered at the same time.
If you plan on filing for survivor benefits before you’ve filed for divorce, the benefits can be paid out to you for up to 10 years. If you plan on filing for survivor benefits during your divorce, you’ll need to wait until after your divorce is finalized.
If you plan on filing for survivor benefits after your divorce, you can start receiving benefits as early as six months after your ex files for a divorce.
Filing for spousal benefits online
You can file for spousal survivor benefits online by completing the application form.
You can also get the benefit amount if you have a claim number. The application is available on SSA’s website. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will provide benefits to your spouse if you die and they are younger than 60. You can receive up to $255 per month if you are married or $210 if you are unmarried. If you remarry, you can receive up to $255 again. The benefit is reduced if you have children who receive benefits on their own.
You must complete the application form and submit it to the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA will then mail you a form you must complete and return to them. The application form is available on the SSA website at www.ssa.gov/survivor. You may also obtain an application form from your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213.
A benefit is a monthly payment that you can receive from the Social Security Administration if you’re a surviving spouse, widowed parent, or divorced parent. You must meet certain requirements to qualify for benefits, which include having a certain amount of earnings or work history and being at least 62 years old.
The good news is that you can file for spousal survivor benefits online.
If you’re unsure whether you’re eligible for survivor benefits or need to fill out an application, then contact your local SSA office for more information.
I have frequently asked questions about Social Security.
Q: What are some important things people should know about Social Security?
A: They need to know that when they stop working and retire, they are eligible for benefits from Social Security.
Q: How can people be sure they are taking advantage of the maximum Social Security benefits possible?
A: When you are ready to file for Social Security benefits, check out my Social Security Retirement Guide on my website.
Q: What does it mean to file early for Social Security?
A: If you want to start collecting Social Security early, you may want to consider applying for an Early Social Security Benefit.
Top myths about Social Security
- Social Security will be around forever.
- Social Security is a “piggy bank”.
- I won’t have to pay into Social Security.
Conclusion
When you retire, the government pays you a monthly benefit based on your salary and the number of years you were in the workforce.
1. The benefit amount depends on when you retire, your age, and how much you contributed to Social Security. You must begin receiving benefits at the age
- You can receive up to 100% of your full retirement benefit as long as you are alive. If you are younger than 62, you can delay receiving benefits until age.
- However, if you wait to receive benefits until after age 70, you will only receive a fraction of the full advantage. If you are younger than full retirement age (FRA), you can delay receiving your full gift until age.
However, if you’re married and your spouse passes away, the government will pay a spousal survivor benefit to you. This is different from the retirement benefit because it’s paid out monthly regardless of whether you’re retired.
In addition, the monthly payment is higher than the retirement benefit. And if you’re already receiving Social Security benefits, you can receive a spousal benefit too.
