Rights of Spouses to Collect on Someone Else’s Earnings Record
Your spouse may be eligible to collect benefits up to a maximum of one-half of your benefit amount. This does not mean that your benefit is reduced - your spouse's benefit payment is in addition to the check you receive.
Your spouse can receive "up to one-half of your benefit amount" because the total family benefit payable to your spouse and children, which is called your "family maximum" can be no more than 180 percent of your benefit.
Your spouse is only eligible under the following conditions:
1. Spouse is age 62 or older; or
2. Spouse is any age, and is caring for a child under 16, or a disabled child
Ex-Spouse May Also Collect on Former Spouse’s Earnings Record
Your ex-spouse may also be eligible if:
1. He/she was married to you for more than 10 years; and
2. is age 62 or older; and
3. is unmarried; and
4. is not otherwise eligible for disability benefits
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