Can a Social Security Payment to a Spouse as a Beneficiary Be Reversed?
Social Security benefits extend to spouses under certain conditions. The Social Security Administration has steadily moved to make sure spouses — particularly women — can collect benefits as part of the wage earner's benefits. However, men are eligible for spousal benefits as well. Learn the regulations regarding Social Security payments to a spouse, and know the circumstances for the cessation of those benefits.
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Who Applies
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The spouse is the one who applies to the Social Security benefit. The Social Security Administration deals directly with the spouse regarding amount of payments based on the wage earner's benefits. This means the wage earner does not have a say in the matter. The benefit is considered a right of the spouse and the wage earner cannot interfere with that right.
Amount of Spouse's Benefit
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This benefit is one-half the wage earner's benefit unless the spouse begins drawing the benefit at age 62. At that age, the spouse receives 37.5 percent of the wage earner's benefits. If the draw begins at age 63, the benefit is 42 percent, and at age 64, the benefit is 46 percent. The percentage does not change once it is set.
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Ex-Spouse Benefits
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An ex-spouse is eligible for Social Security benefits based on the wage-earning spouse's earnings. This benefit is only available as long as the ex-spouse does not remarry. The marriage must have lasted at least 10 years. Only in the case of remarriage of the ex-spouse can the wage earner ask for termination of the Social Security benefit.
Death of a Spouse
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A widow or widower may draw Social Security benefits based on the wage earner's benefits. Even if the widow or widower remarries, he or she may continue to receive the benefit.
Effect on Wage Earner's Benefits
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The spouse's Social Security benefits do not affect the wage earner's benefits. In other words, though the spouse generally receives a benefit equal to 50 percent of the wage earner's benefit, the wage earner still receives a full benefit at retirement. The 50 percent figure is for calculations only, and is not deducted from the wage earner's benefits.
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