Social Security Spousal and Divorced-Spouse Benefits: The Basics
If you're married to or divorced from a spouse who earned substantially more than you, you may benefit from claiming Social Security spousal benefits in retirement instead of relying solely on your own monthly benefit. That's because you can claim up to 50% of their primary insurance amount (PIA) and receive payments larger than you would have received on your own. Here's how it works: Image source: Getty Images. PIA, or primary insurance amount, is the amount of money your spouse or ex-spouse is due to receive when they reach their full retirement age (FRA). For anyone born in 1960 or later, FRA is 67. Continue reading