What your spouse can receive based on your SSDI record
If you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), your spouse may be able to receive benefits based on your work record — even if they have never worked or have not worked recently. Your spouse does not need their own disability to collect. The amount they receive is a percentage of your benefit, and it does not reduce what you get each month.
Your spouse can receive benefits at any age if they are caring for your child who is under 16 or disabled. If your spouse is not a caregiver, they can receive benefits starting at age 62, or at any age if they become disabled before that age. The rules are the same whether you are married, divorced, or remarried — what matters is the length and timing of the marriage.
Key Takeaways
- Your spouse can receive a percentage of your SSDI benefit without having worked, as long as you have been married for at least one year or they are caring for your child.
- A spouse caring for your child under 16 can receive benefits at any age; otherwise, they must be 62 or older, or disabled.
- Your spouse's benefit is calculated as a percentage of your primary insurance amount and does not reduce your own monthly payment.
- Divorced spouses can receive benefits on your record if the marriage lasted at least 10 years and they are not currently married.
- Your spouse must contact Social Security directly to claim their own benefit; you cannot claim it for them.
How much your spouse receives each month
Social Security calculates your spouse's benefit as a percentage of your primary insurance amount (PIA) — the base amount you receive before any reductions. A spouse who is caring for your child receives 75 percent of your PIA. A spouse who is age 62 or older receives a reduced amount that depends on their age when they start: the younger they are, the smaller the percentage.
If your spouse waits until their full retirement age to claim, they receive 50 percent of your PIA. If they claim at 62, the reduction is steeper — typically around 32 to 35 percent of your PIA, depending on the year they were born. A disabled spouse under 62 receives 75 percent of your PIA, the same as a caregiver spouse.
The total benefit paid to your whole family — you, your spouse, and any children — has a limit called the family maximum. This is usually 150 to 180 percent of your PIA. If benefits to all family members would exceed this cap, each person's payment is reduced proportionally. Your own benefit is never reduced by the family maximum.
When your spouse can start receiving benefits
Your spouse can receive benefits when ready if they are caring for your child who is under 16 or disabled. There is no age requirement for a caregiver spouse, and they can start collecting as soon as you are approved for SSDI.
If your spouse is not a caregiver, they must meet an age or disability requirement. They can claim at age 62 or older, or at any age if they become disabled. A spouse who is disabled must file for their own disability benefit through Social Security and be found disabled under Social Security's rules — not just any disability, but one that meets the agency's medical criteria.
Your spouse does not have to claim at the earliest possible moment. If they wait until a later age, their monthly benefit will be larger. This is called the delayed retirement credits for spouses, though the increase is smaller than it is for workers claiming on their own record.
Marriage length and timing requirements
You must have been married for at least one year for your spouse to receive benefits on your record. The exception is if your spouse is caring for your child — in that case, there is no marriage length requirement.
If you are divorced, your ex-spouse can receive benefits on your record if the marriage lasted at least 10 years, you are both at least 62 years old (or they are disabled), and they are not currently married. A divorced ex-spouse's benefit does not reduce your payment or your current spouse's payment.
If you have been married more than once, each ex-spouse can potentially receive benefits on your record separately, as long as each marriage lasted 10 years and the other conditions are met. Social Security tracks all of these relationships and pays each person their own benefit.
How your spouse claims their benefit
Your spouse must contact Social Security directly to claim their own benefit. They cannot receive benefits automatically just because you are receiving SSDI. Your spouse can explore online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at their local Social Security office.
When your spouse applies, they will need to provide proof of your SSDI award, proof of marriage (such as a marriage certificate), and proof of their age or disability if applicable. If your spouse is explore as a caregiver, they will also need to provide information about the child they are caring for, including the child's birth certificate and proof that the child is under 16 or disabled.
Social Security will verify your work record and calculate your spouse's benefit based on your PIA. The process typically takes two to four weeks. Your spouse will receive a notice showing their monthly benefit amount and their start date.
What happens if you stop receiving SSDI
If your SSDI benefits end — for example, because you return to work and your earnings are too high — your spouse's benefits end as well. If you die while receiving SSDI, your spouse's benefits may change. A surviving spouse can receive benefits at age 60, or at any age if they are caring for your child under 16 or disabled.
If your medical condition improves and Social Security determines you are no longer disabled, your benefits stop. Your spouse will be notified that their benefits are ending. If your spouse is caring for a child, they may continue to receive benefits on your record until the child reaches 16 or is no longer disabled, even if your own benefits have stopped.
Taxes and other considerations
Your spouse's SSDI benefit may be subject to federal income tax, depending on their total income and filing status. If your spouse has other income — from work, pensions, or investments — some of their SSDI benefit may be taxable. Social Security will send your spouse a form SSA-1099 each year showing the amount they received.
If your spouse is working, their earnings do not affect your SSDI benefit, but they may affect your spouse's own benefit if they are under full retirement age. Social Security has an earnings limit for people under full retirement age who are receiving benefits on someone else's record. In 2024, that limit is $23,400 per year, though this amount changes annually. If your spouse earns more than the limit, $1 in benefits is withheld for every $2 earned above the limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my spouse receive benefits if they have never worked?
Yes. Your spouse does not need their own work record to receive benefits based on your SSDI. They only need to meet the age, disability, or caregiver requirements and have been married to you for at least one year (or be caring for your child, which has no marriage length requirement).
Will my spouse's benefit reduce my monthly payment?
No. Your spouse's benefit is paid separately and does not reduce your SSDI payment. However, if your family's total benefits exceed the family maximum, each person's payment may be reduced proportionally.
Can my ex-spouse receive benefits on my SSDI record?
Yes, if you were married for at least 10 years, you are both at least 62 years old (or they are disabled), and they are not currently married. Your ex-spouse's benefit does not reduce your payment or your current spouse's payment.
What if my spouse is disabled but under 62?
A disabled spouse under 62 can receive 75 percent of your PIA. They must file for their own disability benefit and be found disabled under Social Security's medical criteria. Contact Social Security to discuss your spouse's specific situation.
What happens to my spouse's benefits if I die?
Your spouse's benefits may change. A surviving spouse can receive benefits at age 60, or at any age if they are caring for your child under 16 or disabled. Contact Social Security to discuss survivor benefits and how your spouse's payment will be affected.