Rules That Clear Up Spousal Benefits Confusion

Social Security spousal benefits are confusing, and among the most common thing readers ask about.

The most frequent cause for confusion comes from one small difference between benefits for a spouse versus an ex-spouse. Additional confusion comes from trying to decipher what happens with spousal benefits if you claim before versus after full retirement age (FRA).

Most of the time the confusion can be cleared up by understanding the following 3 rules that affect spousal benefits.

1. Spousal benefits for spouses verses ex-spouses

To be eligible for a spousal benefit, your spouse must have filed for their own benefits.

This rule that your spouse must have filed for benefits does NOT apply to ex-spouses.

This difference between spousal benefits for a current versus ex-spouse is often where the confusion comes in.

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