When to take Social Security if you are married?
Andrew Mclaughlin
Published Feb 10, 2026
Both wait until age 70 to claim benefits If you or your spouse (or even both of you!) can wait until you’re 70, you’ll receive your highest Social Security payments—up to 132% of your primary insurance amount (PIA) if your full retirement age (FRA) is 66, and 124% of your PIA if your FRA is 67.
Do I need to change my marital status in Social Security?
You are not legally required to get a new Social Security card when you get married unless you change your name. If you decide to adopt your spouse’s last name or hyphenate your name, the Social Security Administration (SSA) says you must notify them so you can obtain a corrected card with your new name.
How long do you have to be married to get Social Security benefits?
There are other rules, of course. You must have been married to your ex-spouse for 10 years or more. If you’ve remarried, you can’t collect benefits on your former spouse’s record unless your later marriage ended by annulment, divorce, or death.
What happens to my Social Security benefits if I get married again?
Benefits for a child under age 18 or student ages 18 or 19 end if you get married again. If you get married again after age 60, this does not prevent you from becoming entitled to benefits on your prior deceased spouse’s Social Security earnings record. Can my Ex-Spouse Reduce my Social Security Benefits?
Can a married couple maximize their Social Security benefits?
Overall, married couples, in particular, can optimize their Social Security benefits by working together and making decisions that maximize their spousal and survivor benefits. Too many couples overlook this strategy and end up getting less lifetime income.
How old do you have to be to get spousal Social Security benefits?
For current spouses, you must wait until your spouse files for their own benefit. Different rules apply to ex-spouses. You can receive a spousal benefit even if your ex-spouse has not yet filed for his or her own benefits, but your ex-spouse must be age 62 or older. 4
