If My Wife Never Worked, Can She Qualify Under My Social Security?
If My Wife Never Worked, Can She Qualify Under My Social Security? Unraveling the mystery of Social Security Benefits for spouses who have never worked.
As with all Social Security programs, there are many variations on benefits. One common occurrence is a wife who never worked outside the home. If she has never worked, Social Security looks at several factors to see if she qualifies.
Has the Wage Earner Paid into Social Security?
If the husband was employed by an entity that did not pay into social security, then the wife is not due social security benefits. On-the-other-hand, if he worked and paid enough into social security to be eligible, then his wife is due one-half his benefit at her full-retirement age even if she has never worked.
How Much Is the Spousal Social Security Benefit?
If a wife never worked, she qualifies for one-half her husband’s amount at her full retirement age. Eligibility for benefits begins at age 62. However, for every month prior to full retirement age she takes the benefit, her amount will be reduced. The exception to this rule is if she is taking care of a child age 16 or younger or disabled and receiving Social Security. In this case, age does not matter. She is entitled to the full one-half spousal benefit at the time of application.
If My Wife Has never Worked, Can She Qualify Under my Social Security?
Ultimately, the answer this answer to this question is, “Yes.” If a husband has paid enough money into Social Security to be due a benefit, his wife is eligible to begin receiving benefits as early as age 62 or even earlier if caring for a child under the age of 16 or who is disabled. Its important to remember that in normal situations, for every month prior to full retirement age that she takes the benefit, she is permanently penalized a percentage of the one-half amount due.
Related posts
- Can A Husband And Wife Both Receive Social Security Benefits?
- Can Both Husband And Wife Draw Social Security Disability Benefits?
- I Have Never Worked But My Spouse Has. What Will My Benefits Be?
- Can I Collect My Ex-Husbands Social Security If He Has Not Remarried?
- Can A Woman Draw Social Security From Her Ex-Husband?
3 Responses to “If My Wife Never Worked, Can She Qualify Under My Social Security?”
Leave a Reply
Send this page to a friend ...






I have a question. I will be receiving my ss in April. I was told I would get a percentage of my Husband. When paperwork came the amount did not change. Why was that
I worked for several years, I was employed for the State of La, and the US government. When I became elegible for ss, I was denied elgibility for years served with the state, and federal government because no ss was taken out of my check during my employment with them. My check is cut in half for this, but wives that have never worked can draw ss and are making more than I. I feel that this is grossly unfair. Please comment.
I am 66 and I draw SS, I want to work and I want my check to go to my wife. Can I use my wifes name and SS so the checks will be paid in her name.