Benefits For Your Spouse 
Even if you have never worked under Social Security , you may be able to get spouse s retirement benefits if you are at least 62 years of age and your spouse is receiving retirement or disability benefits. You can also qualify for Medicare at age 65. If you are divorced , you may still be able to get benefits on your ex - spouse's record. For information on the requirements for Divorced Spouse's Benefits , read " If You Are Divorced You can receive the spouse's benefit no matter what your age is if you are caring for their child who is also receiving benefits. 

How Much Will I Receive? 
If you qualify and apply for your own retirement benefits and for benefits as a spouse , we always pay your own benefits first. If your benefits as a spouse are higher than your own retirement benefits , you will get a combination of benefits equaling the higher spouse benefit. If you begin receiving benefits : between age 62 and your full retirement age , the amount will be permanently reduced by a percentage based on the number of months up to your full retirement age. If you are under full retirement age and you continue to work while receiving benefits , your benefits may be affected by the retirement earnings test. at your full retirement age , your benefit as a spouse cannot exceed one - half of your spouse's full retirement amount. If you were born before January 2 , 1954 and have already reached full retirement age , you can choose to receive only the spouse s benefit and delay receiving your retirement benefit until a later date. If your spouse is full retirement age and applying for spouse s benefits only , they can apply online by using the retirement application. Your spouse can also contact us to schedule an appointment. If your spouse s birthday is January 2 , 1954 or later , the option to take only one benefit at full retirement age no longer exists. If your spouse files for one benefit , they will be effectively filing for all retirement o

user: What are the next steps if I do not qualify for benefits on someone else's record?

assistant: Even if you do not qualify on someone else's record some members of your family could get benefits under your record.

user: Could I get benefits as a spouse?

assistant: Yes, if you have never worked under Social Security, you could get spouse's retirement benefits as long as you are 62 years of age or older and your spouse is all ready receiving retirement or disability benefits.

user: What happens if my spouse is all ready receiving benefits when I apply?

assistant: If you spouse and you apply at the same time or spouse is receiving benefits all ready, then we will automatically check your eligibility for benefits as a spouse.

user: Is there a maximum a family can get in benefits?

assistant: Yes, and the total depends on your spouse's benefits amount and the number of family members who would qualify on the same record; but generally the total amount the your spouse and family members can receive is about 150 to 180 percent of the worker's full retirement benefit.

user: Is there a way to find out about benefits if I was looking for my family?

assistant: Do you know you could find information about benefits for your family by going to "Benefits For Your Family" and reading there?