On Memorial Day, our nation honors military service members who have given their lives for our country. Families, friends, and communities pause to remember the many great sacrifices of our military and ensure their legacy lives on in the freedoms we all enjoy. We recognize these heroes who, in President Lincoln’s words, “gave the last full measure of devotion.”
The benefits we provide can help the families of military service members. For example, widows, widowers, and their dependent children may be eligible for survivors benefits. You can learn more about those benefits at www.ssa.gov/survivors.
We also offer support to our wounded warriors. Social Security benefits protect veterans when an injury prevents them from returning to active duty or performing other work. Wounded military service members can receive expedited processing of their disability claims. Are you a veteran with a 100% permanent & total compensation rating from the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs? We can expedite your claim. Both the Department of Veteran Affairs and the Social Security Administration have disability programs. You may qualify for disability benefits through one program but not the other, or you may qualify for both. Depending on your situation, some of your family members, including your dependent children or spouse, may be eligible to receive Social Security benefits.
Want more information? Visit www.ssa.gov/woundedwarriors for answers to commonly asked questions or to find information about the application process.
Thinking about retirement? Military service members can receive Social Security benefits in addition to their military retirement benefits. For details, read the Military Service page of our Retirement Planner, available at www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/veterans.html.
Share this information with the military families in your community. To the veterans who bravely served and died for our country, and to the military service members who serve today, we honor and thank you.
Spouse’s Benefits Eligibility
With more than 80 years of service, the Social Security Administration has helped secure today and tomorrow with financial benefits, information, and tools that support you throughout life’s journey. In May, we recognize Older Americans month and we encourage you to participate by learning about available Social Security benefits. Did you know that you may be able to receive benefits on your spouse’s record if you have not worked or do not have enough Social Security credits to qualify for your own Social Security benefits? To qualify for spouse’s benefits, you must be 62 years of age or older; or any age and care for a child who is younger than age 16 or who is disabled and entitled to receive benefits on your spouse’s record.
Your full spouse’s benefit could be up to 1/2 the amount your spouse is entitled to receive at their full retirement age. If you choose to receive spouse’s benefits before you reach full retirement age, you get a permanently reduced benefit.
If you wait until you reach full retirement age to receive benefits, you receive your full spouse’s benefit amount – up to half the amount your spouse can receive.
If your benefits as a spouse are higher than your own retirement benefits, you get a combination of benefits that equal the higher spouse benefit.
Want to apply for either your or your spouse’s benefits? Are you at least 61 years and 8 months old? Visit www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement to learn more about the process.