Yes! Homemakers Collect Social Security Spousal Benefits

It’s important to remember that you may be eligible to collect Social Security Spousal benefits even if you have never worked outside the home. Whether you identify as a homemaker, housewife, or stay-at-home mom, you are eligible to receive Social Security spousal benefits. I know because I’m doing it!

This applies even if you have never had a paying job where Social Security taxes were withheld, or if you only worked part-time or in temporary positions.

Let’s say you and your spouse owned a business. You paid into your Social Security account but didn’t earn enough credits for retirement benefits. More than likely, you’ll qualify for spousal benefits.

You may have paid nothing into a Social Security account, or maybe you’ve contributed very little.

It doesn’t matter! You can start collecting a check from Social Security at age 62.

However, there are 3 things you need to consider before applying for Social Security Spousal benefits. Let’s take a look at them in more detail.

No. 1- Collect Social Security Spousal Benefits if You Are Married

Did your husband pay into Social Security? Is he already collecting benefits? Perfect! If your husband is collecting retirement or disability benefits from Social Security, you can file for Social Security Spousal Benefits.

However, you are not eligible to collect until you reach the age of 62.

The amount you will receive from Social Security will be half of your husband’s benefit amount. For instance, if your husband is collecting $1,200, your check should be around $600.00.

It’s important to note that you won’t start receiving checks for a couple of months. With that in mind, I suggest applying online 2 to 3 months before your 62nd birthday. This way, you’ll have plenty of time to address any questions that may come up.

A noteworthy point to mention: when filing, make sure to indicate that you are filing for spousal benefits. If the Social Security Administration responds with a letter stating that you are ineligible for benefits, don’t accept that determination so easily. Contact them and explain that you are applying for spousal benefits, which are NOT based on your work history, but on your husband’s.

No. 2 – Collecting Survivor Benefits if You Are a Widow

If your husband has died and you are a widow, you can collect survivor’s benefits beginning at age 60. As long as your husband worked long enough to qualify for benefits, you can apply.

Typically, a person must earn wages from a job or self-employment for at least 10 years or earn 40 credits.

However, the younger a person is when they die the fewer credits are needed to collect survivors’ benefits. Contact Social Security for more information.

Important – You cannot apply for Survivor Benefits online. Check the details on survivors’ benefits on the Social Security Administration’s website for more information.

In addition to survivor’s benefits, you may qualify for a one-time payment of $255.00 if you were living with your husband at the time of his death, or were receiving benefits on his record.

No. 3 – Collecting Social Security Spousal Benefits if You Are Divorced

If you are divorced and were married for at least 10 years, or more, and are currently unmarried and at least 62 years old, you may be eligible to receive benefits based on your ex-husband’s earnings record, even if he is remarried.

Two main requirements determine your eligibility for receiving benefits:

1. You must be unmarried.
2. Your ex-husband is entitled to Social Security retirement or disability benefits.

If you worked after your divorce, you may still qualify to receive Social Security benefits based on your own earnings record, but the amount may be less than what you would receive based on your ex-husband’s record. The Social Security Administration takes this into account.

You may also be eligible to receive an additional amount based on your ex-husband’s earnings record. The Social Security Administration will compare your benefit amount with the amount you would receive based on your ex-husband’s record, and pay you the higher of the two.

Note: If you remarry your benefits generally end unless that marriage later ends in divorce, death, or annulment.

Social Security benefits tend to be a bit more complex for divorcees. I suggest visiting this Retirement Benefits Planner page to understand your options completely.

If you’re wondering how your collection after divorce affects your ex-husband’s account, it doesn’t. He still receives his full amount regardless of what you receive from Social Security.

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Social Security for Dummies

Open a Social Security Account to Get Started

The first step is to open your social security account. Opening a My Social Security account online is simple, similar to signing up for any other online account.

After completing that, applying for Social Security spousal benefits is easy. You can watch this video on My Social Security, which explains how having an account can benefit you and what you can do with it online.

Conclusion

If you have been a homemaker raising a family, worked outside the home for a short time, or earned income with your spouse but did not earn enough credits to qualify for Social Security benefits on your own, you can apply for and receive spousal benefits. Additionally, widows and divorcees may be eligible for Social Security Spousal benefits.