Spousal Benefits Calculator & Eligibility Check (Married or Divorced)

First check whether you qualify for spouse's or divorced-spouse benefits, then estimate your amount — up to 50% of the worker's full benefit (PIA), reduced if you claim before your full retirement age.

Written and fact-checked by the CheckPayDate.com Editorial TeamPublished September 17, 2026Last reviewed October 27, 2026How we review

Official Data Verification: Reviewed October 27, 2026

Audited against Federal Reserve Holiday Calendar

Primary Authority: Social Security Administration (SSA)

Regulatory Basis: POMS GN 02401.000 & 20 CFR § 404.1807

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Spouse & Divorced-Spouse Eligibility Check

Uses the PIAs you enter in the calculator below

I amMy age

We've been marriedMy spouse is receiving Social Security retirement or disabilityI care for our child under 16 or disabled

You may qualify for spouse's benefits

Spousal amount at your full retirement age: about $1,200/mo.

Length of marriage
Married at least 1 year.
Age
Age 62 or older.
Your spouse's benefits
Your spouse is receiving retirement or disability benefits.
Your own benefit vs. half of theirs
Your own full benefit ($0) is less than half of theirs ($1,200), so a spousal amount can be added.

Spousal Benefit Calculator

Worker & spouse inputs

Worker PIA at FRA ($ / mo)

Spouse birth year

Spouse claim age

Spouse own PIA (optional, $ / mo)

Spouse FRA: 67 years

Spousal benefit at chosen age

$1,200

Max at FRA: $1,200

Own benefit

Excess spousal

$1,200

Combined if dual

$1,200

Spousal benefits do not earn delayed retirement credits past FRA. For dual-earner claiming strategies across many ages, use the couples optimizer.

Spousal vs. Divorced-Spouse Benefit Rules

Rule	Married spouse	Divorced spouse
Length of marriage	1 year (some exceptions)	10 years or more
Minimum age	62, or any age caring for a child under 16 or disabled	62 (no child-care exception)
Worker must have filed?	Yes	No, if ex is 62+ and divorced 2+ years
Remarriage	—	Must be unmarried
Maximum amount	50% of worker's PIA at your full retirement age	Same

A divorced spouse's benefit doesn't reduce the ex's benefit or a current spouse's. If your ex dies, you may qualify for survivor benefits instead.

Frequently asked questions

A spouse who is 62 or older, or any age while caring for the worker's child under 16 or disabled. The worker must be receiving retirement or disability benefits, and you generally must have been married at least 1 year.

Yes, if you were married at least 10 years, you're unmarried, and you're 62 or older. Your ex must be receiving benefits, or be 62+ with your divorce at least 2 years old. Your ex isn't told, and their benefit isn't reduced.

Up to 50% of the worker's full retirement age benefit (PIA). Claiming before your own full retirement age reduces it, to as little as 32.5% at 62. A spouse caring for the worker's young child gets the full 50%.

SSA pays your own benefit first. If half the worker's PIA is higher than your own PIA, SSA adds the difference as an excess spousal amount. If your own PIA is already half or more, no spousal amount is added.

No. Spousal benefits don't earn delayed retirement credits, so waiting past your full retirement age doesn't raise the spousal amount above 50% of the worker's PIA.

Not if you're married — your spouse must file first. Divorced spouses are different: if your ex is 62+ and you've been divorced at least 2 years, you can claim even if your ex hasn't filed.

Use the Couples Optimization Calculator for dual-earner claiming strategies across many age combinations.