Social Security 50% Spousal Benefit

A Key Consideration in Coordinating Spousal Filing Strategies

When working with married couples, one of the most important topics we evaluate is whether one spouse may benefit from claiming a 50% spousal benefit rather than their own earned Social Security benefit. Spousal benefit rules can be surprisingly nuanced, and many couples are unaware of how these rules work—or how much planning flexibility they offer.

At Greenbush Financial Group, we help couples understand how spousal benefits coordinate with their broader retirement strategy, income needs, and tax picture. Our goal is to help clients make confident, informed filing decisions that align with their long-term financial goals.

What Is the 50% Spousal Benefit?

Under Social Security rules, a spouse may be eligible to receive up to 50% of their partner’s full retirement age benefit (FRA amount). This comparison is automatic—each spouse is entitled to receive the higher of:

  1. their own Social Security retirement benefit based on personal earnings history, or

  2. up to 50% of their spouse’s benefit.

This option is especially valuable when one spouse earned significantly less over their working years or spent time outside the workforce raising children or caring for family.

Key Rule: The Higher-Earning Spouse Must File To Unlock 50% Spousal Benefit

One commonly overlooked requirement is that the higher-earning spouse must first file for their own benefit before the other spouse can access the 50% spousal benefit.

This timing element often influences the couple’s coordinated filing strategy. Sometimes it makes sense to turn on the higher earner’s benefit sooner, while in other cases delaying is more advantageous—especially when survivor benefits or tax planning are a consideration.

This is why determining who files first, and when, should be evaluated within the context of the couple’s full financial plan.

Spousal Benefits Do NOT Earn Delayed Credits

Another lesser-known detail is that the 50% spousal benefit does not increase after full retirement age.

While an individual’s own Social Security benefit continues to grow between age 67 and 70 due to delayed retirement credits, the spousal benefit is always calculated based on the higher-earner’s FRA amount—whether claimed at 67 or at 70.

In other words:

If the higher income earning spouse delays turning on the Social Security benefits past Full Retirement Age, while their benefit will increase by about 8% per year until age 70, the 50% spousal benefit does not increase during those year which can give more weight to the higher income earning spouse turning on their benefit at Full Retirement Age.

This is an important detail that often affects how couples time their benefit elections.

Why Spousal Benefits Matter in Retirement Planning

Coordinating two benefits involves more than simply comparing numbers. The timing of each claim affects:

  • Long-term cash flow

  • Survivor benefit planning

  • Income tax strategy

  • Roth conversion strategy

  • Medicare premium thresholds

  • Portfolio withdrawal sequencing

Our planning process evaluates these trade-offs so clients can make informed decisions supported by both data and personal circumstances.

Common Questions We Help Clients Answer

  • Should the higher-earning spouse file early so the other spouse can claim the 50% benefit?

  • Does it make sense for the lower-earning spouse to file first, collect their own benefit, and then their SS benefit will increase once the higher income spouse files?

  • How will spousal benefits affect survivor benefits?

  • Will spousal benefits affect taxation or Medicare IRMAA thresholds?

  • How does timing influence Roth IRA conversion strategies?

There is rarely a “default” answer—context matters.

Should this be part of our Social Security filing strategy?

If you’re approaching retirement or beginning to plan your Social Security claiming strategy, we can help you evaluate whether the 50% spousal benefit should play a role in your plan.

No two households are alike. We help married couples understand the numbers, timing, and impact of every Social Security decision—before filing.

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Our Social Security Blog Articles

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FAQs: Social Security 50% Spousal Benefit

  1. What is the 50% Social Security spousal benefit?
    The spousal benefit allows a lower-earning spouse to receive up to 50% of the higher-earning spouse’s Full Retirement Age (FRA) benefit, if it provides more income than their own benefit.
  2. Who is eligible to receive the 50% spousal benefit?
    A spouse may qualify if they are at least age 62 and their partner has already filed for Social Security. Eligibility depends on marital status, work history, and filing age.
  3. Does my spouse have to file before I can receive a spousal benefit?
    Yes. The higher-earning spouse must file first before the other can receive a spousal benefit. This is a key factor in coordinating filing strategies.
  4. Does the 50% spousal benefit increase if I delay past full retirement age?
    No. Spousal benefits do not earn delayed retirement credits. They are always based on the higher-earning spouse’s FRA amount—even if that spouse delays to age 70.
  5. Can I take my own Social Security benefit first and switch to the 50% spousal benefit later?
    In some cases, yes. If your spouse later files and the spousal benefit is higher than your own, your benefit can increase—subject to current eligibility rules.
  6. How do spousal benefits affect survivor benefits?
    Spousal benefits and survivor benefits are separate. If the higher-earning spouse dies, the survivor may receive up to 100% of the deceased spouse’s benefit, which is why coordinated planning matters.
  7. Are spousal benefits taxable?
    Yes. Spousal benefits follow the same federal tax rules as regular Social Security benefits—up to 85% may be taxable, depending on provisional income.
  8. Should the higher-earning spouse file early to allow the other spouse to collect the 50% benefit?
    It depends. Filing early may allow the household to collect spousal benefits sooner, but it may reduce survivor benefits and tax flexibility. Coordinating this decision within a retirement plan is recommended.
 

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About Our Firm:  Greenbush Financial Group is an independent registered investment advisory firm based in Albany, New York, that provides four main services to clients: fee-based financial planning services, investment management, employer-sponsored retirement plans, and retirement planning services.  The firm serves clients locally in the Albany region and virtually across the United States.

 
 

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