Also called: spousal top-up
A spouse can receive up to 50% of the worker's PIA if that is more than the spouse's own benefit. It is reduced if started before the spouse's full retirement age and never earns delayed credits.
The spousal amount is paid as a top-up on the spouse's own benefit and is available only once the worker has filed. Anyone who files is deemed to be filing for every benefit they are eligible for at that time.
With a full retirement age of 67, a spousal benefit started at 62 is 32.5% of the worker's PIA instead of 50%.