Here’s the 2025 snapshot: spouses can still get up to 50% of the worker’s PIA at FRA, early filing reduces it, and spousal benefits don’t earn delayed credits. New this year: GPO/WEP repeal (huge for many spouses), 2.5% COLA, and higher earnings-test limits. Details, examples, and how to file—below. Social Security+3Social Security+3Social Security+3
Quick answer—what changed for 2025 (in 60 seconds)
- GPO/WEP repealed: The Social Security Fairness Act ended both offsets. If GPO previously wiped out your spousal/survivor benefit due to a non-covered government pension, that reduction no longer applies (retroactive to Jan 2024; SSA is adjusting payments and issuing back pay). Social Security+1
Source: SSA, last checked: September 17, 2025. - 2025 COLA: Benefits increased 2.5% (effective with Jan 2025 payments). Social Security
Source: SSA COLA Fact Sheet, last checked: September 17, 2025. - Earnings test (RET) higher: If you’re under FRA all year, you can earn $23,400 before withholdings kick in; if you reach FRA in 2025, the higher limit is $62,160 (applies to months before FRA). Monthly “special rule” thresholds: $1,950 and $5,180. Social Security+2Social Security+2
Source: SSA, last checked: September 17, 2025.
Bottom line: 2025 is a friendlier year for many spouses (due to GPO repeal) and a slightly easier year to work while claiming.
Who qualifies as a spouse vs divorced spouse
Current spouse (aged): You’re typically eligible if you’ve been married ≥1 year to a worker who’s entitled to retirement or disability benefits. If you’re caring for the worker’s child who’s under 16 or disabled, you may qualify earlier and without the usual reduction. Social Security Administration+1
Source: SSA POMS & QuickCalcs page, last checked: September 17, 2025.
Divorced spouse: You generally qualify if the marriage lasted ≥10 years, you’re 62+, currently unmarried, and your own benefit is less than what you’d get as an ex-spouse. If you’ve been divorced ≥2 years, you can claim on your ex’s record even if they haven’t filed (provided they’re 62+). Social Security+1
Source: SSA CFR §404.331 and SSA publication, last checked: September 17, 2025.
Young/caregiver spouse: If you have the worker’s child under 16 (or disabled) in your care, you can receive a spousal benefit not reduced for age. Social Security
Bottom line: If married ≥1 year (or divorced ≥10) and your own benefit is smaller, you may qualify for a spousal benefit.
How much you can get (the math in plain English)
- The maximum spousal benefit is 50% of the worker’s PIA if the spouse claims at FRA. (PIA is the worker’s benefit at their own FRA.) Social Security
- Early filing reduces the spousal amount by 25/36 of 1% per month for the first 36 months before your FRA, then 5/12 of 1% for each additional month. The earliest you can claim an aged spousal benefit is 62; the minimum can be as low as 32.5% of the worker’s PIA. Social Security
- No delayed credits on spousal benefits. Waiting past FRA does not raise the spousal amount (it may raise the worker’s benefit, but the spousal share remains based on the worker’s PIA, not the higher delayed amount). Social Security
- “Excess spousal” top-off: If you’re entitled to your own retirement benefit, SSA pays that first and adds an excess amount (if any) to bring you up to the spousal level—you don’t get both in full. Social Security
Example (simple): Worker’s PIA = $2,000 → Max spousal at FRA = $1,000. If spouse files 36 months early, reduction ≈ 25/36% × 36 = 25% → about $750. Social Security
Bottom line: Think “up to 50% at FRA,” reduced if early, and no bonus for waiting past FRA.
Deemed filing, restricted application & suspend rules (2025)
- Deemed filing: If you were born Jan 2, 1954 or later and you’re eligible for both your own retirement benefit and a spousal benefit, you’re deemed to have applied for both—you can’t pick just one. Limited exceptions exist (e.g., caring-spouse). Social Security Administration
Source: SSA POMS GN 00204.020, last checked: September 17, 2025. - Restricted application (grandfathered): If you were born before Jan 2, 1954, at FRA you may still restrict your application to spousal-only, letting your own benefit grow. This window remains open for those born 1953 or earlier who haven’t yet filed. Social Security
- File & suspend—important caution: If the worker voluntarily suspends benefits, others on that record (spouse) generally cannot be paid during the suspension. Divorced spouses can continue being paid. Social Security
Bottom line: Unless you’re grandfathered, expect deemed filing; and if the worker suspends, spousal payouts usually stop (divorced spousal is the exception).
Working while you collect in 2025 (RET)
- Under FRA all year: You can earn up to $23,400 in 2025 before withholdings; SSA withholds $1 for every $2 above the limit. Social Security
- Reaching FRA in 2025: Higher limit $62,160 up to the month before FRA; then withhold $1 for every $3 above it. No limit starting the month you reach FRA. Social Security
- Monthly “special rule”: In 2025, “retired” means ≤$1,950 in any month (or ≤$5,180 in months before FRA if you reach FRA that year), which can soften withholdings in your first retirement year. Social Security+1
Bottom line: Check your earnings before filing; a high-earning part-timer might want to wait until FRA.
Divorced spousal specifics (10-year rule, two-year independence, remarriage)
- 10-year marriage minimum; currently unmarried; 62+; and your own retirement benefit must be less than the ex-spousal benefit. Social Security
- Two-year independence: If divorced ≥2 years, you can claim on your ex’s record even if they haven’t filed, as long as they’re 62+. Social Security
- Remarriage: Generally, a remarriage before age 60 ends divorced-spousal eligibility (different rules for survivors). See SSA’s publications for nuances. Social Security
Bottom line: Divorced and 62+ after a 10-year marriage? You may claim—even if your ex hasn’t filed—once the divorce has been final two years.
2025 update—GPO/WEP repeal and what it means for spouses
- What changed: The Government Pension Offset (GPO) used to reduce/erase spousal and survivor benefits for people with non-covered government pensions (e.g., certain teachers, firefighters). In 2025, the Social Security Fairness Act repealed GPO and WEP (retroactive to Jan 2024). SSA has been recalculating benefits and issuing back payments; higher monthly checks are rolling out. Social Security+1
- What it means for you: If GPO once cut your spousal check to $0 (or reduced it), that reduction should no longer apply. Monitor your my Social Security account and SSA notices for your updated amount and any retroactive deposit. Social Security
Bottom line: Many spouses once penalized by GPO will see bigger benefits and back pay in 2025. Check your account.
Comparison table: Spousal vs Divorced Spousal vs Survivor (2025)
| Feature | Spousal (married) | Divorced Spousal | Survivor (widow/er) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core eligibility | Married ≥1 year to a worker entitled to retirement/disability; or any age if caring for worker’s child <16/disabled | Marriage ≥10 years, 62+, currently unmarried, own benefit lower | Surviving spouse; earliest 60 (or 50 if disabled); different rules if caring for child |
| Max % at FRA | 50% of worker’s PIA | 50% of ex’s PIA | Up to 100% of the worker’s benefit (at survivor FRA) |
| Earliest age | 62 (aged spouse) | 62 | 60 (or 50 disabled) |
| Early-filing reduction | Yes (down to ~32.5%) | Yes | Yes (survivor reduction schedule differs) |
| Does delaying past FRA increase it? | No | No | Yes, up to survivor FRA |
| Deemed filing applies? | Yes (most born ≥1954) | Yes (rules extended to divorced spousal) | No; survivor rules differ |
| Worker must file first? | Yes (for current spouse) | No if divorced ≥2 years & ex is 62+ | N/A (worker is deceased) |
| GPO impact (2025) | Repealed | Repealed | Repealed |
| Key cite | SSA POMS; Planner pages | CFR §404.331; SSA pubs | SSA survivor pubs |
Cites & details: eligibility & reduction math; deemed filing; suspend rules; GPO repeal. Social Security+6Social Security Administration+6Social Security+6
Bottom line: Spousal and divorced-spousal are similar (50% cap at FRA), but survivor benefits can reach 100%—and GPO no longer cuts them.
Claiming checklist (2025) + how to file
Documents to gather (once, then reuse):
- Government ID and proof of age
- Marriage certificate (or divorce decree for ex-spousal)
- Worker’s/Ex-spouse’s SSN (or birth details if unknown)
- Direct deposit info
File online or by phone:
- Use Form SSA-2 (“Information You Need to Apply for Spouse’s or Divorced Spouse’s Benefits”)—start online if you’re within 3 months of age 62. Social Security
- Create or sign in to my Social Security to view spousal estimates and track updates. Social Security
Bottom line: Open my Social Security, gather docs, and file with SSA-2 when you’re within the claiming window.
Examples (quick 2025 scenarios)
1) Married spouse filing at 62 while working part-time
- Worker’s PIA: $2,400 → Spousal max at FRA = $1,200.
- Spouse files 36 months early → approx 25% reduction → $900. If spouse earns $20,000 in 2025 (under FRA all year), they’re below the $23,400 limit → no withholding. Social Security+1
Source: SSA reduction factors; 2025 earnings test, last checked: September 17, 2025.
Bottom line: Early filing reduces the check; part-time earnings under the limit won’t.
2) Divorced spouse (married 12 years, divorced 5 years) — ex hasn’t filed
- Age 66 in 2025, current marital status single.
- Ex is 63 and hasn’t filed; divorce was >2 years ago, so ex-spouse can claim on the record anyway (if own benefit is smaller). Social Security
Bottom line: The two-year independence rule opens the door.
3) Spouse hit by GPO before 2025 (teacher with state pension)
- Before 2025, GPO cut spousal check to $0.
- In 2025, GPO repealed → SSA recalculates and pays retroactive benefits back to Jan 2024; monthly checks increase. Social Security+1
Bottom line: Expect a higher ongoing benefit and a one-time back payment.
Key 2025 numbers (quick reference)
- COLA: +2.5% for 2025. Social Security
- RET (under FRA): $23,400; withhold $1 for $2 above. FRA-year limit: $62,160; withhold $1 for $3 above (months before FRA). Monthly rules: $1,950 / $5,180. Social Security+1
- Max spousal at FRA: 50% of worker’s PIA (reduced if early; not increased by delay). Social Security
- GPO/WEP: Repealed; retroactive to Jan 2024. Social Security
FAQs
What’s new for Social Security spousal benefits in 2025?
GPO/WEP were repealed, boosting many spouse and survivor checks (retroactive to Jan 2024). 2025 also brought a 2.5% COLA and higher earnings-test limits. Social Security+2Social Security+2
How much can a spouse get in 2025?
Up to 50% of the worker’s PIA at the spouse’s FRA. Early filing can reduce it to about 32.5% at 62. Spousal benefits don’t earn delayed credits. Social Security+1
Can I take only spousal benefits and delay my own?
Only if you were born before Jan 2, 1954 and file at FRA (a “restricted application”). Otherwise, deemed filing makes you file for both. Social Security+1
Can a current spouse claim before the worker files?
Generally no; the worker must be entitled (filed). Divorced spouses divorced ≥2 years can claim once both are 62+, even if the ex hasn’t filed. Social Security
How do 2025 earnings limits affect my spousal check?
Under FRA all year, you can earn $23,400 before withholdings; in your FRA year, $62,160 applies up to the month before FRA. Monthly limits $1,950/$5,180 may help in your first retirement year. Social Security+1
Does suspending the worker’s benefit stop spousal checks?
Yes—if the worker voluntarily suspends, others on that record generally can’t be paid during the suspension; divorced spouses can continue. Social Security
What form do I use to apply for spousal benefits?
Use SSA-2 (online or by phone if you’re within 3 months of age 62). Create my Social Security to see personalized estimates. Social Security+1
Sources & “last checked” notes
- Spousal eligibility & reduction math: SSA QuickCalcs; POMS definitions (spouse one-year rule); calculators. Source: SSA, last checked: September 17, 2025. Social Security+3Social Security Administration+3Social Security+3
- Deemed filing / restricted application / suspend: SSA Planner; POMS; SSA “If you are eligible to receive…” page; Suspension page. Source: SSA, last checked: September 17, 2025. Social Security Administration+2Social Security+2
- 2025 COLA & earnings test: SSA COLA fact sheet & pages; RET thresholds and monthly rules. Source: SSA, last checked: September 17, 2025. Social Security+4Social Security+4Social Security+4
- GPO/WEP repeal: SSA “Fairness Act” update; SSA FAQ; national coverage. Source: SSA & AP, last checked: September 17, 2025. Social Security+2Social Security+2
Disclaimer: This guide is general education—not legal, tax, or financial advice. Social Security rules are complex and change. Confirm details with SSA or a knowledgeable benefits professional before filing.
Key takeaways & next steps
Takeaways
- Max spousal at FRA = 50% of worker’s PIA; filing early reduces it; no delayed credits on spousal. Social Security
- Deemed filing applies to most people born Jan 2, 1954 or later; restricted application remains only for those born before that date. Social Security Administration+1
- 2025 earnings limits are higher—$23,400/$62,160—with helpful monthly thresholds. Social Security+1
- GPO/WEP repeal means many public-sector spouses now get larger checks (with retro pay to Jan 2024). Social Security
- Filing is easiest with SSA-2 online and a my Social Security account. Social Security+1
Next steps
- Create/verify my Social Security and review your spousal estimate. Social Security
- Gather documents and submit SSA-2 when you’re within your claiming window. Social Security
- If you had a non-covered pension, check your updated benefit and look for retroactive payments. Social Security
- If still working, compare your earnings to the 2025 limits before filing. Social Security