Social Security Spousal Benefits: What Married Couples Need to Know in 2025
By: INGLOBE Magazine News Desk
Social Security spousal benefits remain a crucial component of retirement planning for millions of married Americans in 2025. Understanding eligibility, recent changes, and claiming strategies can help couples maximize their retirement income.
Key Points: What You Need to Know About Spousal Benefits in 2025
Eligibility and Basic Rules
To qualify for spousal benefits, you must be married to someone who is receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits. You generally need to be at least 62 years old to claim, unless you are caring for a child under 16 or a disabled child on your spouse’s record. Divorced spouses may also qualify if the marriage lasted at least 10 years and they remain unmarried.
How Benefits Are Calculated
The maximum spousal benefit is up to 50% of your spouse’s benefit at their full retirement age. If you claim before your full retirement age, your benefit will be permanently reduced. Importantly, if your own Social Security benefit based on your work record is higher, you will receive your own benefit amount instead.
Changes Starting in 2025
Beginning this year, the percentage used to calculate spousal benefits for newly eligible spouses will gradually decrease by 1 percentage point annually, moving from 50% toward 33% by 2041. This means future spouses may receive a smaller share of their spouse’s benefit over time.
Additionally, new provisions allow divorced spouses married for 5 to 9 years to receive a percentage of their former spouse’s benefit, scaled by years married, expanding eligibility.
Elimination of Restricted Applications
Starting in 2025, retirees born after January 2, 1954, will no longer be able to file restricted applications to claim only spousal benefits while delaying their own retirement benefits. Social Security will automatically pay the higher of the two benefits, simplifying the claiming process but removing certain strategic claiming options.
Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)
Social Security benefits, including spousal benefits, will increase by 2.5% in 2025, reflecting the latest cost-of-living adjustment. While this is the smallest increase in several years, it still provides some relief against inflation.
Planning Considerations for Couples
Coordinate benefit claiming to maximize household income.
Understand that delaying your own benefits will not increase your spousal benefit beyond 50% of your spouse’s full retirement age benefit.
Use Social Security calculators or consult financial advisors to plan the best claiming strategy based on your circumstances.
Why This Matters
Social Security spousal benefits provide important financial support for many married couples, especially those who may have lower lifetime earnings. The 2025 changes simplify claiming but reduce some flexibility, making it more important than ever to understand your options and plan accordingly.
