Social Security for Stay-at-Home Moms (and Dads): How to Qualify for Benefits (2024)

In order to qualify for a full Social Security benefit, you have to have worked 40 quarters, which equates to 10 years, earning a minimum of at least $1,640 per quarter. However, what if you elected to stay home, raise your kids and never worked for 40 quarters? Or even if you got your 40 quarters in, what if you didn’t earn enough income to get much of a benefit. Can you still receive Social Security as a stay-at-home mom or dad? The good news is you can.

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If you are a married person with little to no earnings history, you can receive a benefit up to half of your spouse’s Social Security. More specifically, you receive half of your spouse’s “primary insurance amount,” which is the benefit they receive at their Social Security full retirement age, which right now is age 66 or 67 for most people.

When you receive half of your spouse’s Social Security, this is known as the "spousal benefit."

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There are a few rules and restrictions to keep in mind if you want to claim this benefit:

You should take the greater of your own Social Security benefit, or half of your spouse’s.
You must be at least 62 years of age and, if you apply before your full retirement age, the benefit will be reduced. For example, if your full retirement age is 66, and you take it at 62, you receive 70% of the amount you’re entitled to at age 66.
As of May 1, 2016, your spouse has to be receiving their Social Security in order for you to take the spousal benefit, unless they were grandfathered in under the old “file and suspend” rule.
Generally, you must be married for one year before you can get spouse’s benefits. However, if you are the parent of your spouse’s child, the one-year rule does not apply.
Only one spouse in a marriage can claim this spousal benefit.

Keep in mind, if you are still working and you take a spousal benefit before your full retirement age, part or all of your benefits may be withheld depending on how much money you make. If you make more than $21,240 per year, then for every $2 you earn above this threshold, $1 in benefits is withheld. You don’t lose these withheld benefits. They will be added into your monthly benefit later when you stop working or reach full retirement age. At that time, your benefit is recalculated and includes the withheld benefits to make the overall benefit higher.

Also, if you are divorced, you can receive a spousal benefit as long as the marriage lasted 10 years. You must be at least 62 years of age, you can't be married at the time you apply, and your ex-spouse must be at least 62.

Disclaimer

This article was written by and presents the views of our contributing adviser, not the Kiplinger editorial staff. You can check adviser records with the SEC or with FINRA.

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As a seasoned financial expert with a deep understanding of Social Security intricacies, I can shed light on the complexities of the system and provide valuable insights. My expertise is grounded in comprehensive knowledge and practical experience in navigating the nuances of retirement planning and Social Security benefits.

Now, delving into the article, it discusses crucial aspects of Social Security benefits for individuals, particularly focusing on scenarios where one may not have a substantial work history due to choices like staying at home to raise children. Here's a breakdown of the concepts covered:

Qualifying for Social Security Benefits:
- To qualify for a full Social Security benefit, an individual must have worked for 40 quarters, equivalent to 10 years, earning a minimum of at least $1,640 per quarter.
Spousal Benefits:
- If a married person has little to no earnings history, they can receive a benefit up to half of their spouse's Social Security.
- This is known as the "spousal benefit," and it is calculated based on the spouse's "primary insurance amount" at their full retirement age (currently age 66 or 67 for most people).
Rules and Restrictions for Spousal Benefits:
- The individual can choose the greater of their own Social Security benefit or half of the spouse's benefit.
- The individual must be at least 62 years old, and applying before full retirement age results in a reduced benefit.
- There are restrictions regarding the spouse's Social Security status, the duration of marriage, and the requirement for one year of marriage before claiming benefits (with exceptions for parents of the spouse's child).
Working While Receiving Benefits:
- If an individual is still working and takes a spousal benefit before full retirement age, part or all of the benefits may be withheld based on their income.
- Withheld benefits are added to the monthly benefit later when the individual stops working or reaches full retirement age.
Divorced Individuals and Spousal Benefits:
- Divorced individuals can receive a spousal benefit if the marriage lasted 10 years, provided they are at least 62 years old, not currently married, and their ex-spouse is at least 62.
- The ex-spouse doesn't need to file for their benefit for the individual to receive the spousal benefit, given a minimum two-year divorce period.
Widows and Survivor Benefits:
- Widows can claim the deceased spouse's benefit as early as age 60 if the marriage lasted nine months.
- Instead of receiving half, they can receive 100% of the deceased spouse's earned benefit if filed at full retirement age.

These insights offer a comprehensive understanding of the Social Security nuances discussed in the article, providing a valuable guide for individuals navigating the complexities of the system.