MYTH: If you are married and were a non-working spouse or did not have enough work credits to qualify on your own, you are not eligible for Social Security.
It seems obvious enough. If you didn’t pay into the system, you can’t collect from it. Fortunately for many homemakers, that’s not how it works in all cases. Social Security has protections in place for spouses that raised children or otherwise didn’t pursue a career while their husbands (or wives) earned the household income.
While both spouses are living, the non-working spouse can collect up to half the amount of the working spouse’s full retirement age benefit. If widowed, the non-working spouse will receive the full Social Security benefit that the deceased spouse was receiving.
If both spouses qualify for benefits based on their individual work histories, the one with the lower benefit will receive additional Social Security income for a total benefit amount equal to one half the amount received by the higher-earning spouse.
To be eligible for Social Security, an individual must have paid into the system for at least 40 quarters, paying Social Security taxes through payroll withholdings or directly to the IRS. That means at least ten years of paid work.
Social Security reviews the last 35 years of work history to determine your benefit amount, and zero income years will take your benefits down. If you own a business and your spouse assists you in running it, make sure to pay for the work – at least $5,200 a year. This will allow your spouse to earn Social Security credits and become fully vested in the system, which means more income in retirement for both of you.
Not associated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other government agency.
The company I just started working for does not take out Social Security. If I continue working for this company until I retire, how will this affect what I’ve already paid into Social Security and will I still be eligible for Social Security benefits when I’m able?
It will depend on your prior and future work history. You need to at least have 10 years of earning over the minimum.
My spouse and I have been married for 25 years. During all this time and the present, she has been a home-maker and raising a child. I am retired and have been receiving Soc Sec payments since 2020 or so.
Is the amount my spouse may be eligible to collect a reduction to my monthly Soc Sec check or ?
Oscar, your wife would be eligible for a 1/2 benefit of what you are receiving once she reaches the age of 62 or older and it dosn’t change your amount. Ideally you would wait until you are 70 and she woudl be 67 to reach maximum benefits.
Why would Oscars wife get anything if she didn’t put into social security, this is why social security is going broke. Only invested should get anything out, regardless of anything.
This is a program to help families including stay at home spouses.
I don’t believe a spouse should be able to get benefits if he/she worked and didn’t pay into SS and ARE RECEIVING A GOVERNMENT PENSION/ANNUITY! The Government retirement systems, CSRS, insured workers a generous monthly pension because they didn’t pay into SS.
Our SS system will be drained by providing spousal benefits to spouses that have worked and are receiving a generous Government pension already! That’s one reason our SS checks will be reduced in the near future!
There are many reasons why and many ways to solve, hopefully congress will act
I have a brother that didn’t work because he had mental issues. So he lived off of my parents his entire life. Both of my parents are dead now and he has some from inheritance but that won’t last forever. Since he was a dependent his entire life, can he get SS benefits to help him survive?
Your parents should have worked to get him on SSI while living since he could not work, the inheritance also could have gone into a special needs trust.I would set up an appointment at a local social security office to see what his options are.
I am eligible to collect SS as I am 66 and meet all the requirements, but I own a business and was getting paid as an employee, however because of slow business I decided not to take a paycheck until it picks up. I have gone without a paycheck since July of 2024 and do not see me getting one anytime soon. Will this affect my SS distribution when I do start taking it? Should I just start taking it now?
Kellie, we would need a lot more information to help but delaying benefits can be helpful for you during the rest of your life. Each year you delay from FRA to age 70 there is 8% increases.. which can really add up!
I think that only people who have worked and had money taken out of their paycheck FICA taxed be elgible
for Social Security /Medicare coverage. I see people who come over from other countries and are getting
this coverage and never put a dime into the system. That is why it is going bankrupt. This needs to be revised and changed. I see too much where I work as a social worker.
Linda, people who do not pay in do not get benefits. It is not an entitlement rather a benefit you have to pay into to get benefits. There may be other programs that assist but not Social Security.
I am retired with a state pension after 38yrs. I have only 22/40 quarters paid into SS. Can I collect on my husband’s social security?
Yes you should be able to, Go ahead and apply and request a six month look back! Good luck!
I don’t believe a spouse should be able to get benefits if he/she worked and didn’t pay into SS and ARE DRAWING A PENSION!
I know it benefits spouses who have not worked, but our SS system will be drained by providing spousal benefits by paying spouses that have worked and are receiving a pension.
This was designed to protect at home workers that raised children. The system was to protect the family. Glad you are not in a situation where you need the support.
I am 55. For the last 9 years, i am self employed-1099 from my company. For the 25 years prior, I paid social security taxes and was not self employed. Will i be eligible or should i start paying again? If I am eligible, how much % could I figure?
Mike, if you are self employed you should still pay into social security annually. Check http://www.ssa.gov and pull your most recent statement to see where you are at. Not paying in also affects your SS Disability benefits. We have options to talk for 15 min and 30 min which may be a good option for you.
I’m 69 and want to apply for SS retirement. I heard my husband is entitled to SS even though he didn’t pay in. He’s retired and 71. Is this true? Also will my SS checks be taxed
Connie, if you have been married at least 1 year and US citizen, once you apply I would have him apply as well. Good luck!