Social Security Spousal Benefit
A Social Security benefit allowing a spouse to receive up to 50% of the other spouse's primary insurance amount.
What is Spousal Benefit?
A Social Security spousal benefit allows a married (or formerly married) individual to receive a benefit based on their spouse's (or ex-spouse's) earnings record rather than their own, if the spousal benefit is larger than their own earned benefit. The maximum spousal benefit is 50% of the worker's primary insurance amount (PIA) — the benefit payable at full retirement age. To qualify, the claiming spouse must be at least 62, and the worker must already be receiving retirement benefits. Divorced spouses can claim on an ex-spouse's record if the marriage lasted at least 10 years and the claimant is unmarried. Spousal benefits do not reduce the worker's own benefit.
Example
A spouse who spent years out of the workforce to raise children has a Social Security PIA of $600 based on limited work history. Her husband's PIA is $2,800. At her full retirement age, she qualifies for the spousal benefit of $1,400 (50% × $2,800) instead of her own $600 — an increase of $800 per month. If she claims early at 62, the spousal benefit is reduced to approximately $1,050.
Source: Social Security Administration — Benefits for Spouses