TN 5 (12-03)
NL 00711.025 Wife's Benefits Paragraphs
205. GENERAL
When a man is receiving monthly retirement or disability benefits, his wife may receive
benefits.
-
(A)
at age 62 if she has been married to the worker for at least 1 year or is the natural
mother of his child. If she decides to take the benefits before full retirement age,
her monthly payments will be at a reduced rate. An explanation of reduced benefits
is given in the enclosed publication.
-
(B)
regardless of her age, if she has in her care a child entitled to monthly benefits
on her husband's earnings record. However, a wife's benefit will not be paid if the
only child in her care has attained 16 and is not disabled.
NOTE TO TYPIST: Enclose SSA Publication
No. 78-10047 (or current revision).
205.1. INQUIRY FROM HUSBAND
When you are receiving monthly retirement or disability benefits, your wife may receive
benefits.
-
(A)
at age 62 if she has been married to you for at least 1 year or is the natural mother
of your child. If she decides to take benefits before full retirement age, her monthly
payments will be at a reduced rate. An explanation of reduced benefits is given in
the enclosed publication.
-
(B)
regardless of her age if she has in her care a child entitled to monthly benefits
on your earnings record. However, a wife's benefit will not be paid if the only child
in her care has attained age 16 and is not disabled.
NOTE TO TYPIST: Enclose SSA Publication
No. 78-10047 (or current revision).
208. INQUIRY FROM WIFE
If your husband is entitled to social security benefits you may receive wife's benefits.
-
(A)
at age 62 if you have been married to him for at least 1 year or are the natural mother
of his child. If you decide to take benefits before full retirement age, your monthly
benefits will be at a reduced rate. An explanation of reduced benefits is given in
the enclosed publication.
-
(B)
regardless of your age if you have in your care a child entitled to monthly benefits
on your husband's earnings record. However, benefits will not be paid to you if the
only child in your care has attained age 16 and is not disabled.
NOTE TO TYPIST: Enclose SSA Publication
No. 78-10047 (or current revision).
210. HUSBAND NOT ENTITLED
A wife, 62 years of age or more, may not become entitled to monthly benefits on the
basis of her husband's social security record unless he is receiving retirement or
disability benefits.
215. DIVORCED WIFE
A divorced wife who has not married or whose remarriage has ended may receive benefits
at age 62 or later on her former husband's social security record if he is receiving
benefits. She must have been married to him for at least 10 years immediately preceding
the divorce. If her former husband is at least age 62 but has not applied for benefits,
she can receive benefits on his record if they have been divorced for at least 2 years.
-
•
(Not applicable if former husband is dead—see widow's benefits)
There is no provision for payments to a divorced wife before age 62 even if she has
a child in her care entitled to benefits on her former husband's social security record.
220. AMOUNT OF WIFE'S BENEFIT
Ordinarily, if a wife is the only auxiliary entitled on her husband's social security
record, her monthly payment at full retirement age would be equal to one-half the
amount he would receive at full retirement age. However, a wife who decides to take
benefits before full retirement age, and who has no child in her care entitled to
benefits, will receive payments at a reduced rate.
220.1 SIMULTANEOUS ENTITLEMENT—GENERAL
Monthly social security benefits are paid to any person who qualifies for them (a) whether man or woman, married,
or single.
220.2 SIMULTANEOUS ENTITLEMENT—WOMAN
A woman who has worked in employment covered by the Social Security Act may qualify
for benefits at age 62 on her own earnings record.
220.3 SIMULTANEOUS ENTITLEMENT—MARRIED
WOMAN
In addition to any rights a married woman may have based on her own earnings record,
she may also become eligible for a wife's or widow's benefit based on her husband's
earnings record, provided he is insured.
220.4. SIMULTANEOUS ENTITLEMENT—LARGER
AMOUNT
If a woman is entitled to benefits based on her own earnings record and also on her
husband's earnings record, she would receive monthly payments equal to the larger
of the two benefit amounts.
For example, if the benefit payable on her own earnings record is equal to or greater
than her benefit as a wife or widow, she will receive only the payment on her own
earnings record.
220.5. DUAL ENTITLEMENT
A woman who decides to take retirement benefits on her own earnings record or a wife's
benefit before full retirement age will receive payment at a reduced rate. If she
receives payments for either of these benefits before she is full retirement age,
she may not later receive the other at the full rate.