Social Security spousal benefits allow a husband or wife to receive a monthly check based on their partner’s work record. For the 2026 tax year, the Full Retirement Age (FRA) for most new claimants has shifted to 67, which impacts the maximum and minimum percentages you can receive.

Eligibility Requirements for 2026

To qualify for a spousal benefit, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Marriage Duration: You must have been married for at least one continuous year at the time you apply.
  • Age Requirement: You must be at least 62 years old (unless you are caring for a child who is under 16 or has a disability).
  • Partner Status: Your spouse must have already filed for their own retirement or disability benefits.
  • The “Higher Benefit” Rule: If you are eligible for a benefit based on your own work history that is higher than the spousal amount, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will pay your own benefit instead.

Spousal Benefit Calculations

The maximum spousal benefit is 50 percent of your partner’s “Primary Insurance Amount” (the amount they are entitled to at their Full Retirement Age).

  • At Full Retirement Age (67): You receive the full 50 percent.
  • Early Claiming (Age 62): If you claim as soon as you turn 62 in 2026, your benefit is permanently reduced to approximately 32.5 percent of your spouse’s full amount.
  • No Delayed Credits: Unlike your own retirement benefit, spousal benefits do not increase if you wait past age 67. There is no financial incentive to delay a spousal claim until age 70.

Rules for Divorced Spouses

If you are divorced, you may still be eligible for benefits based on your ex-spouse’s record if the following conditions are met:

  • Marriage Length: Your marriage lasted at least 10 years.
  • Marital Status: You are currently unmarried. If you remarry, you generally lose eligibility for the benefit based on your ex-spouse’s record.
  • The “Two-Year” Rule: You can claim on an ex-spouse’s record even if they haven’t filed for their own benefits yet, provided you have been divorced for at least two years and your ex-spouse is at least 62.

Working While Receiving Spousal Benefits

Just like individual benefits, spousal benefits are subject to the 2026 Earnings Test if you are under your Full Retirement Age.

  • If you earn more than $24,480 in 2026, the SSA will withhold $1 in benefits for every $2 you earn over that limit.
  • Once you reach age 67, this limit disappears, and you can earn any amount without a reduction in your spousal check.

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA), “Benefits for Spouses” (2026 Update); and AARP, “Social Security Spousal Benefits FAQ.”