Social Security spousal benefit calculator

This Social Security spousal benefit calculator estimates the monthly benefit you can get on your husband’s or wife’s work record. Enter your spouse’s primary insurance amount (PIA), your own PIA if you have one, your date of birth and the age you claim: you get up to 50% of the PIA at full retirement age, less if you start early, combined with your own retirement benefit.

Example: Spouse’s primary insurance amount (PIA) 2,400 $ · Your own PIA (0 if none) 0 $ · Your year of birth 1,964 · Your month of birth: June · Your age when benefits start – years 62 years · … and months 0 months → Your monthly benefit: US$780.00. Source: Social Security Act §202(b), (q), SSA Office of the Chief Actuary – Benefits for spouses: up to 50% of the PIA, reduction 25/36 of 1% per month, 5/12 of 1% beyond 36 months (read 09.10.2026). Updated: 9 October 2026.

Spouse’s primary insurance amount (PIA)

the worker’s benefit at full retirement age, from their Social Security statement

Your own PIA (0 if none)

your own benefit at full retirement age

Your year of birth

Your month of birth

I was born on the 1st of the month

Your age when benefits start – years

years

… and months

months

I care for our child under 16 or a child who gets disability benefits

My ToolboxYour inputs are saved in this browser only.

Result

Your monthly benefit: US$780.00
Spousal part: Spousal part US$780.00 = 32.5% of your spouse’s PIA
Calculation: Item Amount Basis
Your full retirement age 67 years 0 months claiming 60 months early
Maximum spousal benefit US$1,200.00 50% of your spouse’s PIA
Spousal benefit US$780.00 reduced by 35%
Total monthly benefit US$780.00 rounded down to whole dollars; Estimate. Your spouse must already receive retirement or disability benefits. Not included: the family maximum, the government pension offset, divorced-spouse and survivor benefits, cost-of-living adjustments after 2026.

Item	Amount	Basis
Your full retirement age	67 years 0 months	claiming 60 months early
Maximum spousal benefit	US$1,200.00	50% of your spouse’s PIA
Spousal benefit	US$780.00	reduced by 35%
Total monthly benefit	US$780.00	rounded down to whole dollars

How it is calculated

The spousal benefit is up to 50% of your spouse’s primary insurance amount (PIA) if you claim at your full retirement age. Claiming at 62 cuts it to as little as 32.5% of the PIA. Each month before full retirement age costs 25/36 of 1% for the first 36 months and 5/12 of 1% for each further month. If you have your own work record, you get your own benefit plus any amount by which half of your spouse’s PIA is higher.

Spousal benefit by claiming age (born 1960 or later)

Claiming age	Months early	Reduction	Share of spouse’s PIA
62	60	35%	32.5%
63	48	30%	35%
64	36	25%	37.5%
65	24	16.67%	41.67%
66	12	8.33%	45.83%
67 or later	0	0%	50%

How the calculator works

Full retirement age from your year of birth: 66 and 2 to 10 months for 1955–1959, 67 for 1960 and later.
Spousal amount: 50% of your spouse’s PIA, minus your own PIA if you have one (the “excess”).
Reduction for early claiming: 25/36 of 1% per month for 36 months, then 5/12 of 1% per month. Your own benefit is reduced by 5/9 of 1% per month for 36 months, then 5/12 of 1%.
Total: own benefit + reduced spousal excess, rounded down to whole dollars.

Examples

Spouse’s PIA $2,400, you were born in 1964 and claim at 67: 50% = $1,200 a month.
Same, claiming at 62: 60 months early, 35% less → $780.
Same, claiming at 64: 36 months early, 25% less → $900.
Own PIA $800, claiming at 67: own $800 + excess $400 = $1,200.
Own PIA $800, claiming at 62: own $800 × 70% = $560, excess $400 × 65% = $260 → $820.
Own PIA $1,300: more than half of $2,400 – no spousal top-up; at 70 your own benefit grows by 24% to $1,612.
SSA example: PIA $1,600, claiming 36 months early: $800 × 75% = $600, 37.5% of the PIA.

Your spouse’s PIA comes from their Social Security statement – or estimate it with the Social Security benefits calculator. Working before full retirement age? The earnings limit calculator shows how much is withheld.

Limits

Your spouse must have filed for retirement or disability benefits before you can receive a spousal benefit (divorced spouses married at least 10 years can claim independently). When you apply for one benefit you are deemed to apply for both. The family maximum, the government pension offset for non-covered pensions, survivor benefits and future cost-of-living adjustments are not included. This is an estimate – the amount Social Security pays is based on its records.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the Social Security spousal benefit?

Up to 50% of your spouse’s primary insurance amount if you claim at your full retirement age. At 62 it is 32.5% for people born in 1960 or later.

How is the spousal benefit reduced for early claiming?

By 25/36 of 1% for each of the first 36 months before full retirement age and 5/12 of 1% for each additional month – 35% at 62 if your full retirement age is 67.

Can I get my own benefit and a spousal benefit?

Yes, if half of your spouse’s PIA is higher than your own PIA. You receive your own benefit plus the difference (the excess spousal benefit), each reduced if you claim early.

Does the spousal benefit increase after full retirement age?

No. Delayed retirement credits apply only to your own retirement benefit. The spousal part never exceeds 50% of the worker’s PIA.

Is the spousal benefit based on my spouse’s actual check?

No, it is based on the PIA – the amount at full retirement age – even if your spouse claimed early or late.

Can I get a spousal benefit before 62?

Only if you care for your spouse’s child who is under 16 or receives disability benefits. Then the benefit is not reduced for age.

Sources and legal basis

Social Security Act §202(b), (q): SSA Office of the Chief Actuary – Benefits for spouses: up to 50% of the PIA, reduction 25/36 of 1% per month, 5/12 of 1% beyond 36 months (read 09.10.2026)
SSA Office of the Chief Actuary – Benefit reduction for early retirement, primary and spouse at 62 (read 09.10.2026)
Social Security Act §216(l): SSA Office of the Chief Actuary – Normal retirement age by year of birth (read 09.10.2026)

As of: 9 October 2026 · Editorial policy