1. Home
  2. Grow
  3. Can a Homemaker Get Social Security Benefits?
  • Sign up
  • Sign in
Money Talks News
  • Popular
  • Latest
    • Coronavirus
    • Ask Stacy
    • Make
    • Save
    • Borrow
    • Grow
    • Live
    • More
  • Deals
    • Automotive
    • Clothing & Accessories
    • Computers
    • Electronics
    • Everything Else
    • Financial Services
    • Gaming & Toys
    • Health & Beauty
    • Home & Garden
    • Movies, Music & Books
    • Office & Supplies
    • Special Occasion
    • Sports & Fitness
    • Store Events
    • Travel & Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Solutions
  • Academy
  • Subscribe to our newsletter
  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Search our site
Happy senior woman7 Wise Money Moves to Make in Your 50s and Beyond
7 Smart Ways to Recession-Proof Your Retirement7 Smart Ways to Recession-Proof Your Retirement
Senior standing beside window5 Money Mistakes That Will Wreck Your Retirement
Woman lying in bed, unable to sleep7 Things You Should Never Do Before Bed

Can a Homemaker Get Social Security Benefits?

When is a homemaker eligible for Social Security — and how much will she get?

Russell Settle • March 18, 2021 • Advertising Disclosure

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share by Email Share on Pinterest Printable version available to members PDF version available to members
Senior woman at home
Viktoriia Hnatiuk / Shutterstock.com

Welcome to our “Social Security Q&A” series. You ask a question about Social Security, and a guest expert answers it.

You can learn how to ask a question of your own below. And if you would like a personalized report detailing your optimal Social Security claiming strategy, click here. Check it out: It could result in receiving thousands of dollars more in benefits over your lifetime!

Today’s question comes from Jim:

“My wife, Janet, only worked about five years in the last 40 years due to being a homemaker. As a result, she has no Social Security benefits on her own.

Is she entitled to any of my Social Security retirement benefits? I have worked 40 consecutive years and have benefits that should pay approximately $2,400 per month at my full retirement age. I was born in 1956; Janet was born in 1960. I have not yet claimed my retirement benefits.”

Confusion about spousal benefits

Jim, I have encountered many people who are confused about the spousal benefit issue. So, you are definitely not alone here.

Your wife should indeed be eligible for spousal benefits on your Social Security record. The main eligibility requirements are the following:

  • You two have been married for at least a year.
  • Your wife is at least 62.
  • You have started your own retirement benefits.

The maximum spousal benefit is one-half of your full retirement age (FRA) benefit. Thus, Janet could get as much as $1,200 a month if she waits until her FRA of 67 years. If she claims earlier, she gets hit by an early claiming penalty.

For example, if she claims at 62, her spousal benefit will be reduced by 35%, or to $780 a month. If she claims at 64, she will receive $900 a month.

As you can see, the penalty declines as her claiming age moves from 62 to her FRA of 67. Nothing is gained by waiting to claim spousal benefits beyond her FRA. If you are interested in more information about the early claiming penalty for spousal benefits, check out this Social Security Administration calculator.

Retire on Your Own Terms With Help From This Course
See Also:
Retire on Your Own Terms With Help From This Course

Note that Janet’s spousal benefits are not affected by when you claim your retirement benefits. You can claim at 62 or 70 or anywhere in between, and her benefit possibilities are unchanged. As noted above, the key is that you need to claim your own benefits in order for her to claim spousal benefits.

Perhaps the main reason that many are uninformed about spousal benefits is the failure of the Social Security statement to say anything about spousal benefits. Each individual’s statement provides information about retirement benefits, survivors benefits, disability benefits and maximum family benefits. Spousal benefits are nowhere to be seen.

Got a question you’d like answered?

You can submit a question for the “Social Security Q&A” series for free. Just hit “reply” to the Money Talks News newsletter and email your question. (If you don’t already receive the newsletter, you can sign up for free, too: Click here, and the sign-up box will pop up.)

You also can find all past answers from this series on the “Social Security Q&A” webpage.

About me

I hold a doctorate in economics from the University of Wisconsin and taught economics at the University of Delaware for many years.

In 2009, I co-founded SocialSecurityChoices.com, an internet company that provides advice on Social Security claiming decisions. You can learn more about that by clicking here.

Disclaimer: We strive to provide accurate information with regard to the subject matter covered. It is offered with the understanding that we are not offering legal, accounting, investment or other professional advice or services, and that the SSA alone makes all final determinations on your eligibility for benefits and the benefit amounts. Our advice on claiming strategies does not comprise a comprehensive financial plan. You should consult with your financial adviser regarding your individual situation.

Disclosure: The information you read here is always objective. However, we sometimes receive compensation when you click links within our stories.

  Like Article   Add a Comment

Sign up for our free newsletter!

Simple ways to make, save, and grow your money daily:

  happy subscribers    

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

MTN Podcasts

Every week our podcasts bring you lively money discussions that will give you a few laughs along with advice that will make you richer.

Money with Stacy Johnson

Listen/Subscribe

Read Next

Some of our favorite stories for you to read next.

Confused senior shrugging
3 Big Misconceptions About Social Security
Senior raising a finger to his lips
Can My Wife Use My Social Security Benefits While Letting Hers Grow?
Happy senior couple
3 Costly Social Security Mistakes That Women Make
Sign up for our free newsletter!

Join our many free newsletter subscribers building wealth and destroying debt:

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Popular Topics
  • Retirement Investment
  • Surveys for Money
  • How to Make Money Online
  • Emergency Stockpile
  • Free Movie Streaming
  • Senior Discounts
Connect
  • Support & FAQs
  • Memberships
  • About
  • Contact
  • Careers
  • Accessibility Statement
Media
  • Advertise
  • Television
  • Where We Air
  • Scripts
  • Sitemap
Legal
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Cookies
Editorial
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Ethics Policy
  • Corrections Policy
  • Ownership & Funding Info

Do Not Sell My Personal Information

© 2022 Money Talks News. All Rights Reserved.
‭1 (833) 669-8557 | 1732 1st Ave #26661, New York, NY 10128

Advertising Disclosure: This site may be compensated in exchange for featured placement of certain sponsored products and services, or your clicking on links posted on this website.

View This Page Without Ads

Help us produce more money-saving articles and videos by subscribing to a membership.

Get Started

Help us produce more money-saving articles and videos by subscribing to a membership.

Add a Comment

Our Policy: We welcome relevant and respectful comments in order to foster healthy and informative discussions. All other comments may be removed. Comments with links are automatically held for moderation.

Sign up for our free newsletter!

Join our happy subscribers and sign up for our free newsletter! You'll get:

  • Tips and advice from our expert money reporters. (Our average experience is 18 years!)
  • Unexpected ways to make more and spend less, delivered to you daily.
  • The best deals and coupons to save on everything you buy.
  • Free copies of our eBooks '208 Ways to Save Money Every Day' and '108 Easy Ways to Earn Extra Cash', together a $29 value!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.