Spousal Benefit (Social Security)
A Social Security benefit a spouse can claim based on the other spouse's earnings record, up to half their full benefit.
A spousal benefit lets a husband or wife claim Social Security based on their partner's work record rather than their own — up to 50% of the higher earner's full retirement age benefit. It's designed for couples where one spouse earned much less or didn't work enough to qualify for a large benefit of their own.
The rules are intricate: the spousal benefit doesn't grow with delayed credits past full retirement age, claiming early reduces it, and you generally receive the higher of your own or the spousal benefit, not both. For married couples, coordinating who claims what and when is one of the higher-value Social Security decisions.
This definition is general information to help you understand a term, not financial, tax, or legal advice. Figures that change year to year (limits, thresholds, rates) should be confirmed against current official sources. For guidance on your situation, a licensed fee-only fiduciary is the right next step.