Every United States citizen who is thinking about applying for a Social Security retirement cash check has his or her own plan. This plan may be perfect for individuals, but it may not work for couples.
It is very easy to recognize what the usual requirements and conditions are when it comes to applying for the individual Social Security retirement check. But the rules change a bit when it comes to retirement for couples. Spouses of retirees are eligible to apply for a benefit, but under certain conditions.
So, if we are thinking about applying as a spouse for a Social Security cash check benefit we are going to have to keep a few tips in mind. These tips, according to experts, will help us not only to understand this Social Security benefit but also to maximize it.
Social Security Tips for Married Couples
According to the expert on these issues, Marina Shepelsky, all spouses of retirees can apply for Social Security, regardless of their work history. This means, therefore, that the usual requirements for applying for a Social Security retirement check do not have to be met.
In this regard, Shepelsky asserted that “For example, if a couple is married for 10 years or more and then decides to part ways – each spouse is entitled to a certain percentage of the Social Security retirement benefit of the other,”
With this in mind, we must also take other factors into consideration:
- Delay Social Security retirement to get more cash in check every month. Every year we delay retirement after Full Retirement Age will mean an 8% increase in our check. This happens for both retirees and spouses. The couples’ check is directly dependent on the amount of the retiree’s check.
- Choose your retirement type wisely. It is not mandatory to apply for the spouse’s retirement check for married couples. Each of the two parties to the marriage can apply for an individual benefit. However, we must study the situation very well. Sometimes applying for a spouse’s check is much better than applying for an individual one. Choose wisely before you apply.
- You can apply for the spousal benefit after divorce. This is shocking to many, but it is real. Two years after a divorce we can apply for our ex-partner’s SSA spousal check. So if this is your case, don’t hesitate to do so. Remember that your check will depend on your former partner’s Social Security record.
In short, any married person can apply for spousal Social Security, but it may not be advantageous. Depending on your personal situation, you may receive a larger or smaller cash check, so study the situation carefully before taking the final step.