Skip to navigationSkip to main contentSkip to right columnADVERTISEMENTTrevor Jennewine, The Motley FoolSun, June 7, 2026 at 11:32 AM GMT+2 4 min readSocial Security benefits for spouses are a common source of confusion. In fact, the University of Michigan Retirement Research Center reports that only 46% of surveyed adults had even heard of spousal benefits. The survey also revealed other knowledge gaps:Those knowledge gaps could lead to costly financial mistakes. Here are three things married couples need to know about spousal Social Security benefits in 2026.Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue »Image source: Getty Images.1. Spouses can claim Social Security on their retired partner's work recordSocial Security retirement benefits are available to retired workers and spouses, even when the spouse has no work history. Spouses can claim benefits based on the work record of their retired partner (i.e., the primary beneficiary) under the following conditions:The couple must have been married for at least one year.The spouse must be at least 62 years of age.The partner must be receiving retirement benefits.In some cases, spouses will be eligible for retired-worker benefits based on their own earnings record and for spousal benefits based on the earnings record of their retired partner. In that case, the higher benefit will be awarded automatically.2. Spouses will maximize their Social Security benefit by claiming at full retirement ageHow much Social Security income spouses receive depends on their claim age and their retired partner's primary insurance amount (PIA). PIA refers to the benefit a person will receive if they claim Social Security at full retirement age (FRA), which is age 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later.Spousal benefits equal up to 50% of the primary beneficiary's PIA. To get that amount, spouses must claim Social Security at FRA. Claiming earlier results in a smaller payout (less than 50% of the primary beneficiary's PIA). The exact reduction depends on how early benefits start, but it would be most severe at age 62.The chart below shows the spousal benefit (as a percentage of the primary beneficiary's PIA) for anyone born in 1960 or later.Claim AgeSocial Security Benefit6232.5%6335%6437.5%6541.7%6645.8%6750%Data source: The Social Security Administration. The chart shows spousal benefits at different claim ages as a percentage of the partner's primary insurance amount (PIA).Terms and Privacy PolicyPrivacy & Cookie SettingsMore Info