Can You Draw Your Social Security And Your Spouse's. As a spouse you can claim a Social Security benefit based on your own earnings record or collect a spousal benefit in the amount of 50 of your spouses Social Security benefit but not both. Thats because when you are eligible for two kinds of benefit Social Security does not combine them but rather compares one to the other.
In some cases it makes sense for both spouses to claim on the same spouses earnings record. Coordinating your benefits with your spouses benefits can help you both get the most out of your Social Security payments. If you qualify for Social Security spousal benefits the size of your benefit can be up to 50 of your spouse or ex-spouses primary insurance amount PIA.
To qualify for spouses benefits you must be one of these.
You must have been married to that spouse for 10 years or more. As a practical matter however youll get the higher of the two amounts and no more. You are automatically entitled to receive whichever benefit provides you the higher monthly amount. If you and your spouse both get SSI your benefit amount will change from an individual rate to a couples rate.
