Dependents benefits. If a married person claims retirement or disability benefits, the other spouse is eligible for dependents benefits as early as age 62. These benefits are 50 percent of the retirement or disability benefits (less if claimed at less than full retirement age; see above). If the person cares for his or her minor or disabled child, the family may be eligible for more.
If a couple was divorced, one spouse is entitled to dependents benefits when the other spouse reaches full retirement age, if the marriage lasted at least ten years. To find out more about dependents benefits, visit the Social Security Administration's dependents benefits web pages.
Survivors benefits. If either spouse in a married couple qualified for retirement or disability benefits, when that person dies the other spouse becomes eligible for survivors benefits as early as age 60. The benefit amount is the same as the deceased spouse's retirement benefits (though it's reduced if claimed before the surviving spouse reaches full retirement age).
If one of the spouses died before reaching age 62, the other spouse may still qualify for survivor's benefits if the deceased spouse worked for a number of years. To find out about this and other eligibility rules, visit the Social Security Administration survivors benefits web pages.
